| With the growing interest in organic food, it is no | | | | grapes. Interestingly, sulphites are avoided by a |
| surprise there is also a growing demand for | | | | large number of wine drinkers. |
| organic wine. Generally organic - wines cost more | | | | In conventional wine making, sulphites are added |
| as there is limited production and there are lower | | | | to increase the stability and preservation of the |
| yields in the organic vineyards than in vineyards | | | | wine. In organic - wines you will find a selection of |
| maintained with non-organic pesticides and | | | | both sulphite-free and low-sulphite. White wines |
| fertilizers. | | | | are fermented without the skins and seeds so |
| What is the exact definition of an organic wine? | | | | they usually need a minimum amount of sulphites |
| An organic wine is defined in most countries as a | | | | since the wine has a lower amount of preserving |
| wine produced from grapes grown organically and | | | | tannins. Red wines are fermented with the skins |
| that has no, or a limited amount of, sulphites. | | | | so they have more natural preservatives in the |
| Many people prefer to buy organic - wine because | | | | form of tannins. |
| they are interested in reducing their carbon | | | | You should only purchase a bottle of sulphite-free |
| footprint, appreciate the flavor of organically | | | | or minimum-sulphite organic - wine if you intend |
| produced wine and are seeking the health benefits | | | | on drinking it shortly after purchase. |
| of organic produce. | | | | Competing on an Even Basis: |
| Organic wine is made from grapes grown | | | | Wine lovers are sometimes surprised to discover |
| organically and is then produced in a process that | | | | the growing enchantment with organic - wines. |
| does not use preservatives or uses the absolute | | | | Not only are they produced in a way that causes |
| minimum required to protect the quality. The | | | | the least amount of environmental harm, the |
| process begins with the farming techniques used | | | | wines are flavorful and award-winning. The organic |
| to produce the high quality grapes and ends with | | | | - wine market is just beginning to flourish and it is |
| the method used for fermentation. | | | | expected to grow tremendously as people |
| A Light Carbon Footstep in the Vineyard: | | | | become more and more environmentally aware. |
| Organic farming of grapes means the crop is | | | | Organic wine making differs from non-organic |
| grown without the use of synthetic chemicals for | | | | methods primarily in the use of fertilizers and |
| fertilizing or insect control. But organic farming also | | | | pesticides. However, there are many other subtle |
| refers to planting and harvesting methods which | | | | differences such as the amount of sulphites which |
| protect soil quality and stability. | | | | also define organic wine making. The organic |
| Wine made with organically grown grapes is | | | | winemaker must pay even more attention to the |
| considered to be healthier by many people | | | | details of the process as related to grape |
| because the grapes are grown using only natural | | | | selection and the filtering process. |
| products. When you drink organic wine you don't | | | | Many people insist on drinking organic wine |
| have to worry about how many chemicals you | | | | because they feel it has more personality. |
| might be unknowingly consuming. | | | | Organically grown wine is processed less and relies |
| Organic Wine Flavor and Preservation: | | | | on grape perfection for flavor. For those who |
| Organic wine offers some very special qualities. | | | | want to lighten their carbon footprint while also |
| Many are made without sulphites. Technically an | | | | discovering the depth of individuality wine can |
| organic wine does not have to be sulphite free | | | | achieve, organic wine is the only choice. |
| but can simply be made with organically grown | | | | |