Introduction
I love wine. I love how it tastes, the way it makes me feel, and how little I have to do to get a great bottle of wine. But did you know that there are many different types of wine out there? And not all wines are created equal! In fact, some fall far behind in quality when compared to other types of wine. This is why it's important to understand what organic and eco-friendly labels mean when shopping for your next glass (or bottle) at the store:
Organic Wine
Organic wine is produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. It is made from organic grapes that are grown in an environment that respects the environment. Organic wines are certified as such by independent bodies to ensure that they meet the highest standards for organic wine production.
Organic winemaking practices can be traced back to ancient times when farmers would make their own wines using traditional methods but with natural ingredients such as grape skins or pips, or simply by allowing their grapes to ferment on their own without adding any additional yeast strains. These wines would then be stored in clay jars which would help preserve them from spoiling easily if left at room temperature (unlike glass bottles used today).
Natural Wine
Natural wine is a term used to describe wines that are made without the use of artificial chemicals. Natural wines are typically made with minimal intervention in the winemaking process, and most often come from organic or biodynamic vineyards. While natural wines aren't necessarily organic, they can be labeled as such if they use only organically grown grapes and don't permit the use of pesticides or other synthetic materials during production.
Natural wines often rely on wild yeast and bacteria to ferment their grape juice prior to aging, which may result in unexpected flavors like wet stones or barnyard notes (think hay). Natural wines also may have higher acidity levels due to less processing than conventional varieties—and because of this, they're typically more acidic than other styles.
Biodynamic Wine
Biodynamic wine is made with organic and natural methods, but goes further to include an element of spirituality. It is often more expensive than other natural wines, but yields a higher quality product. Biodynamic wines are made in small quantities, so they are harder to find.
Understand the differences between these labels
- Organic wine is grown or produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
- Natural wine is made without any additives or processing aids (such as yeasts and enzymes), but also contains no sulfites added after fermentation to prevent spoilage.
- Biodynamic wines are made using organic methods, but that’s not all! Biodynamic farming goes a step further by using the lunar calendar to time their activities and focus on spiritual growth as well.
Conclusion
If you're looking for an eco-friendly option to pair with your meal, we recommend choosing organic wine. It's made without pesticides or chemicals, so it's better for the environment and your health. But if you don't want to go all the way with organic wines, there are other options available as well!
