Louise Truswell


 

If there is one form of farming that is suited to being organic, it has to be growing vines. Vines are brilliant because of their hardiness – they’ll flourish in grotty soils and go weeks without rain. But does going organic make a better wine? Read on to find out how organic wines stand apart from normal wines.

Better wines for the planet and for you

Organic wines are made without using any unnatural chemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides, which are added to vines to kill weeds and pests. So when you buy organic wine, you’ll be getting wines that are kinder to both the soil and you, reducing the build up of non-natural toxins within your body. If you find that you ever get a headache after drinking a glass of wine, it’s likely to be due to the chemical residues in the wine - try an organic wine for a change and you are bound to see the difference.

Dedicated winemakers

For a winemaker, deciding to produce organic wines is a very brave decision and exposes them to a lot more hard work, dedication and risk when it comes to attending to their vines. Inspections are needed daily to check for disease and pests, and winemakers have to rely on natural predators and eco-friendly agents whose effectiveness depends on thorough nurturing, care and an awful lot of extra work. But one thing is for sure when you buy organic wine, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’ll be buying wine from dedicated winemakers.

A better tasting wine

Due to the shear hard work and care that is required when it comes to producing organic wines, you can be certain that you’ll be getting a wine from a winemaker who has done all they possibly can to bring you the best quality possible.

Organic wine – the perfect match for organic food

To really make the most from your organic wines, team them with some organic meat, fish and vegetables for a perfect match.

Value for money

Even though organic vines often produce lower yields and require a lot more manual labour, they rarely cost more (if at all) than normal wines. Why? Because organic wines have faced a degree of criticism over the years and organic winemakers are having to do all they possibly can to change this opinion.

New and exciting wines

With organic wines increasingly available, you’ll have a wide variety of wines to choose from. You may even come across some organic wines made from unusual or unfamiliar grapes. However, don’t be put off – most winemakers are simply playing to nature’s strengths, growing what’s best suited to their soils and what will grow unaided. So why not take the time to sample a few and stock up.

To find out more and to choose from a range of organic wine, visit virginwines(dot)com



Trish

Olivia Thomas


These days, more and more people are choosing to eat and drink organically. And why not? Organic foods are better for you, and for the environment. Sure, organic products are a little more expensive than their preservative counterparts, but they are doing wonders to your body, both inside and out. And, thus, it is no surprise that many people are choosing to fill up their wine glasses with organic wine. However, there is a big different between organic wines, and wines made from organic grapes. The difference lies in the sulphites.

Organic Wines are wines that are made from organically grown grapes without any added sulphites. However, some ‘organic ‘wines are made from organically grown grapes but still contain up to 100ppm of added sulphites. The problem with total organic wines is that it cannot be labelled organic unless it is 100 percent organic, which means 0 S02 present. Every country is different, but, under the USDA and America’s National Organic Program, this is the way it is. Even with an added 100ppm of sulphite, the product is 99.9 percent organic. However, this is not enough to classify as true organic wines.

So, what does this mean for the organic wine industry and the consumers? Well, it means a lot of confusion. You want to fill your wine glasses up with organic wines but, with the confusion surrounding the term ‘organic’ how can you know that your wine choice is actually organically grown and manufactured? An organic wine, in the United States, must come with a certified United States Department of Agriculture Seal (USDA). They tend to be more expensive than the other labeled wines; however, you can be rest assured that you are doing your body and the environment a favor.

As with all wine, it comes down to taste. If you have an opportunity to sample some organic wines then go for it. In fact, take a trip to your local wine shop and ask questions. I’m sure a tasting will soon follow, you never know, you may find what you have been looking for. Another way to get a sample is to look at the wine list at a restaurant and see if they offer the organic by the glass. If they do, ask for a sample first. Asking for a small sample first if a great way to see if you are going to like something before you spend the money on a full glass or even a bottle.

If picking up a bottle of organic wine as a present, why not pair it off with some of the common wine accessories on the market? For that perfect housewarming present, a nice bottle of red organic wine will go great with a pair of red wine glasses. Or, how about surprising your newlywed friends with his and her corkscrews or wine racks? Cheese boards are a great addition to a bottle of wine for any dinner party. Wine gifts complement perfectly with a bottle of organic wine. Show your truly care about your friend, as well as the environment.



Jamie