| A key point to add at this stage is the difference | | | | cent of all UK farmland to be organic or in |
| between organically grown grapes - fruit from | | | | conversion by 2010, and 20 per cent of the food |
| vineyards grown without the use of industrial | | | | consumed to be organic by 2010. The UK grocery |
| fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides - | | | | market was worth $206 billion in 2006 and USA |
| and wines made without synthetic preservative | | | | 634.7$ billion. This growth in the organic food |
| additives. | | | | market will have a knock on effect on the drinks |
| Organic Vineyards - Where it all begins! | | | | industry and will meet the ever-growing demand |
| An organic vineyard is one where grapes are | | | | from consumers for organic wine, which is better |
| grown without chemical fertilizers, weed killers, | | | | for drinkers and better for the environment. |
| insecticides, or other synthetic chemicals. This | | | | Financial Incentives to Companies to turn Organic |
| prevents damage to soil and ensures that no | | | | In 2005, 39% of the world organic farmland is in |
| chemicals end up in the wine as residue. Organic | | | | Australia and New Zealand. To combat this The |
| farmers aim to maintain healthy, biologically active | | | | European Union (EU) offers financial support to |
| soil whose fertility is provided by plants that fix | | | | organic farmers as an incentive for farmers to |
| nitrogen from the air. In the vineyard it means | | | | convert to organic production and help the sector |
| planting cover crops between the avenues of the | | | | grow. These grants provide farmers with |
| vines instead of applying herbicide. Naturally | | | | assistance during the period of conversion to |
| occurring plant or mineral extracts leave no | | | | organic farming which usually takes three years. |
| residue in the soil, and weeds are kept down with | | | | Organic spirits |
| the use of mechanical and hand hoes. Biodiversity | | | | While not so widely available as organic wine, |
| is promoted through the plants, which help | | | | organic spirits are available through specialist |
| regulate the vineyard soil by attracting beneficial | | | | suppliers. The production process for organic |
| insects, spiders and predatory mites. | | | | spirits does not differ widely from conventional |
| The Role of Certification and the Organic Market | | | | production. The main difference lies in the use of |
| When a label says organic, it means the wine has | | | | organic raw materials. Organic beers tend to use |
| met certain standards that are set by a | | | | organic hops in production. Organic beer is now |
| government agency. Different nations have their | | | | available in a number of pubs and supermarkets |
| own certification criteria, so whats organic in one | | | | throughout the UK. |
| country may not be so in another. In the UK the | | | | Fancy visiting an organic vineyard? |
| Soil Association is the most recognized and used | | | | If you are into Organic wine why not visit |
| certification body. | | | | Englands Premier organic vineyard. In addition to |
| Many wineries that are technically organic still | | | | processing fruit on site, Sedlescombe Organic |
| choose not to be certified. There are many | | | | Vineyard is one of the main tourist attractions in |
| reasons for this. Some do not want the added | | | | the 1066 Country region in and around Hastings |
| costs and bureaucracy of registering. Others may | | | | attracting some 5,000 visitors per annum to its |
| disagree with their governments standards. | | | | Vineyard & Woodland Nature Trail + Wine tasting. |
| Whatever the case, they are not allowed to use | | | | To buy organic wine or to read more organic |
| organic on their labels. | | | | related articles go to the Organic Directory in |
| There is a national government target for 30 per | | | | GuideMeGreen. |