The United States Department of Agriculture created the National Organic Program (NOP) to regulate products that are sold using the term “organic” in their labeling, and that includes organic wine.

Natural Wine

Wine made from organic grapes can be described as wine made from grapes grown in accordance with the standards of organic farming, as set by NOP, and typically excludes the use of synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides and fungicides. To claim on a label that the wine is made from organic grapes, at least 70% of the grapes used in the bottle must be organic grapes (per the OGC – Organic Consumers Association).

For an organic wine to be labeled as such it must be, as mentioned, produced from grapes that were grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, and the wine must have no preservatives added in its bottling. Only then is the winery allowed to call their wine organic and use the “organic seal” on their wine label.

So there is a difference between “wine made from organic grapes” and “organic wine.” It means that even if a vineyard grows certified organic grapes but includes a preservative like sodium dioxide in the wine processing the winery cannot label their wine as organic or use the organic seal on their label. The most the winery can put on their label is that the grapes are organically grown and there is no official seal for that designation.

Organic Wine is Green Wine

Green Wine

You’ve heard of red wine and white wine, well now we have “green” wine. Green wineries strive to protect the quality of water, conserve energy, and protect the health of their workers.

Organic wineries rely on natural fertilizers, like composts, manure, teas, and seaweed, for plant and soil along with other ecological processes. Typically no machinery is used to harvest the grapes and they are hand-picked.

Organic Wine No Sulfite Labeling Dilemma

The labeling requirement has created a dilemma for many wineries that grow organic grapes. Some sulfites occur naturally in winemaking but sulfur dioxide (a salt) is most often added to the wine to help preserve it and give it consistency and stability.

However, for a wine to be labeled organic, along with the other requirements, the allowed limit to sulfites in organic wine is 100 parts per million.

Without the added sulfur dioxide, many wine experts will tell you that the wine’s flavor is directly affected after its bottled, and not in any good way. It is also the reason that many wine connoisseurs shy away from organic wines bottled without sulfites – they often don’t taste as good.

Perhaps organic lovers who understand that wineries may use added sulfites to retain the quality and flavor of their wine, will also understand that the wine is still 95% organic and not focus on a bottle label carrying the organic seal, but look for wines made from organic grapes

Buying Organic Wine on the Internet

If finding an organic at your local wine seller proves difficult, shop for a great bottle online. As this type of wine become more popular, you’ll see new suppliers popping up on the Internet, but here are some good websites that will help you find what you are looking for

• Theorganicwinecompany.com
• Snooth.com
• Winechateau.com
• Organicwine.com.au

Many people buy organic wine for health reasons, just as they buy any organic food; but whatever your reasons are, let your taste buds guide you in selecting an organic wine just as they would with any other great bottle of wine.