What Is Organic Wine?

By definition, organic wine is made from organic grapes.

Every year, an increasing number of wineries are producing wine which is organic. Today, you can even find organic French wines.

Many online wine vendors offer at least a few organic choices, and the Organic Wine Company offers a nice selection of just wine classified as organic.

Understanding "Organic"

According to the USDA, "Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; petroleum-based fertilizers or sewage sludge-based fertilizers; bio-engineering; or ionizing radiation."

Before a product can be labeled "Organic", a government certified inspector makes sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA standards.

For a wine to be labeled “Organic” and bear the USDA organic seal, it must be made from organically grown grapes and tell who the certifying agency is. A wine in this category may have naturally occurring sulfites, but the total sulfite level must be less than 20 parts per million.

If a wine is labeled "Made with Organic Grapes" or "Made with Organically Grown Grapes", it must be made from organic grapes, but it can include added sulfites.

Find out more about wine without sulfites.


Conclusion

All organic claims must be stated clearly, so read labels carefully to know what is in the bottle.

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