Muna wa Wanjiru


You might get confused and wonder how on earth you can go more organic than a wine, right?

The fact of the matter is that even though we aren’t aware of it, grape crops to a very great extent are sprayed with as many different pesticides as needed to keep away the all-encompassing weeds, bugs and other of nature’s little nasties which might destroy precious wine crops.

What all that means to us, is that we’re drinking pesticide inflicted wines. It might not always come through as a pesticide taint in the wines, but nevertheless it is there. And that’s where organic wines steps in.

These vintners have tried different methods to retain their wine crops without resorting to the use of harmful pesticides.

So whereas you won’t see row upon row of beautifully tended and well kept wine vines, at these organic vineyards you will instead find a wonderful disarray of grape vines that have been allowed to grow in harmony with nature and not against it.

Organic vintners use natural bug and weed beating methods like birds and bees and cover crops.

Although this sounds all well and good, unfortunately in the wine business, just as in any other business the bottom line is the king, and money truly does talk.

There might be more than a few of these organic vineyards around today with more yet, set to spring up over the years, or be converted, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll see a mass move towards going organic in most of the vineyards.



Beth

Muna wa Wanjiru


When you want to buy organic food you have a number of different options open to you. These options will include going to the supermarket and also stopping by roadside organic food stalls where you can buy the fresh produce. Now, while both of these options are quite good there are times when you will need help in finding where you can get your organic foods from and this where an organic directory comes in handy.

This will change form place to place, from region to region, but essentially the organic directory will contain the same basic information. This will normally include such things as the names of organic food producing farms, the different organic foods to be found in these farms, and maybe even how long these farms have been producing organic foods.

The information will necessarily vary from organic directory to organic directory, but the end product will be something that is helpful and easy to use. Now, since there is no one organic directory as such, you will have to be content to rely on the different organic directory services that are offered by the many different organic farming and food producing organizations.

These will for the most part have an organic directory of the various criteria that the organic farmers association or organization has on their books. If you’re interested in getting an organic directory for yourself, you should be able to lay your hands on this by contacting the various organic organizations.

Of course, you might also be able to find an organic directory from the National Organic Program which is the arm of the USDA which oversees everything about organic foods. This august body is also the one that sets the definition of what organic is, as well as giving organic certification to farms and organic processed foods.

You will also find worldwide that the usage of organic foods has spread. This means that there are not only organic farms to think about anymore, but also organic restaurants, organic wine shops and organic health food stores among other things.

With this boom in the culture for everything organic, you will that an organic directory for these things has also sprung up. With one of these in your pocket, or on your laptop or palm pilot, that you will be able to have a fine organic dining experience even when you leave your home. And considering where organic foods were a few years ago, this is a great achievement.



Lorrie

Ben


First of all, we need to explain what a biodynamic wine. A biodynamic wine is a wine made from grapes grown biodynamically.

Biodynamic Vineyards have the same as organic vineyards – to produce grapes from which to make wine profitably without using synthetic additives. The only difference between organic and biodynamic vineyards is that on biodynamic ones the work in the vineyard is timed to coincide with the Earth’s natural rythms so that the vine is receptive to what the winegrower is asking to do. These natural rhythms are determined by the position of the moon, the sun and the planets as well as the earth. So whereas Organic farmers concern themselves predominantly with the soil – in other words what’s going on beneath their feet – Biodynamists also concern themselves with what’s going on above their heads.

Biodynamic growers feel that the influence the movement of celestial bodies relative to each other and to the Earth have a significant influence on how plants grow. This is not new. For instance, Hesiod when writing in the eighth century BC stipulated that wine be made according to a sign from the sky:

When Orion and the Dog Star move Into the mid-sky, and the Arcturus sees The rosy-fingered dawn. (Works and Days II: 609-17)

Vineyards claiming to make wines from biodynamically grown grapes are certified by a regulatory body called Demeter (international trademark). Demeter was the Greek Goddess of agriculture and protector of the fruits on the earth. The whole vineyard must be converted to biodynamics for the wine from it to be marketed with Demeter seal.

Biodynamics has its fair share of sceptics, but can anyone ignore the obvious influence of the moon on the world around us.

Some tips now to enjoy organic wine.

Biodynamic wines as organic wines need, in most case, to be decanted to benefit both the appearance and the taste of the wine. Decanting helps the appearance by leaving any sediment in the wine at the bottom of the bottle the wine came in, rather in your glass. Remember that organic wines are often bottled without fining or filtration, so they are likely to contain sediment. This is often a good sign in a wine. Decanting helps the wine to breathe and develop all its aromas.

If after all, you are not convinced, why not pop in a real good independent wine merchant to have a little tasting and let yourself be seduced by the wine.



Lenny

James Copper


Wines are available in a number of different types and organic wines are one type that is getting more and more attention these days. Organic wines are processed from grapes which are grown without the use of synthetic fungicides or fertilizers. In vineyards where biodiversity is encouraged, vines are grown with the help of living soil i.e. soil full of worms and bacteria which helps to draw the maximum level of minerals from soil. The wines which are grown in living soil have good resistance to disease. Biodiversity also creates an eye catching landscape.

Grape growing is organic by origin but not all vineyards are organic. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is in charge of regulations for organic food products. USDA defines organic food as ‘the food which is produced by farmers with the help of renewable resources and by conversion of water and soil which enhances the quality of environment for future generations’. Organic farming is done without the use of harmful pesticides or fertilizers or any ionizing radiation. Before declaring the farm as organic the government inspects the farmland and checks that the farmer rules of to meet the standards set by United States Department of Agriculture.

The Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) did not give permission for wines to be designated as organic. This decision of ATF was challenged by Hallcrest Vineyards. Since then few of the wineries have become certified processors of organic wines.

Organic wines are of four types:

? 100% organic: Produced with 100%organically grown grapes and contain no added sulphites.

? Made with organic ingredients: They have at least 70% of organically grown grapes and may contain sulfite.

? Organic: They contain at least 95% of ingredients from certified sources.

? Some organic ingredients: Thus, before buying organic wine one must know the difference between the four categories of organic wine.

The wine which is processed from organically grown grapes and which also gives information about its certifying agency is labelled as organic and is sealed by United States Department of Agriculture as ‘organic wine’. Such wine does not contain any added sulfites but can consist of natural sulphites which must be less than 20 parts a million. Sulfite is a preservative of wine which is commonly known as sulphur dioxide. Sulfite has antioxidant properties and also some antimicrobial properties. It is a controversial topic whether it is possible that wine could be sulfite free. The producers of organic wine have to undergo various inspections by the organisations to get the organic certification.

Reconversion is the process by which conventional vineyards are converted to fully organic vineyards. The whole process takes up to 3 years to complete. The use of non organic treatment is strictly prohibited in the organic vineyards. As per law all the organic claims of wine are to be mentioned on the label so that one can read the label and can come to know about the contents of the bottle. Organic wines are a gem of ecosystem. Organic wines do not contain any harmful ingredients as the conventional wines.



Lorrie

Davinos Greeno


A key point to add at this stage is the difference between organically grown grapes – fruit from vineyards grown without the use of industrial fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides – and wines made without synthetic preservative additives.

Organic Vineyards – Where it all begins!

An organic vineyard is one where grapes are grown without chemical fertilizers, weed killers, insecticides, or other synthetic chemicals. This prevents damage to soil and ensures that no chemicals end up in the wine as residue. Organic farmers aim to maintain healthy, biologically active soil whose fertility is provided by plants that fix nitrogen from the air. In the vineyard it means planting cover crops between the avenues of the vines instead of applying herbicide. Naturally occurring plant or mineral extracts leave no residue in the soil, and weeds are kept down with the use of mechanical and hand hoes. Biodiversity is promoted through the plants, which help regulate the vineyard soil by attracting beneficial insects, spiders and predatory mites.

The Role of Certification and the Organic Market

When a label says organic, it means the wine has met certain standards that are set by a government agency. Different nations have their own certification criteria, so whats organic in one country may not be so in another. In the UK the Soil Association is the most recognized and used certification body.

Many wineries that are technically organic still choose not to be certified. There are many reasons for this. Some do not want the added costs and bureaucracy of registering. Others may disagree with their governments standards. Whatever the case, they are not allowed to use organic on their labels.

There is a national government target for 30 per cent of all UK farmland to be organic or in conversion by 2010, and 20 per cent of the food consumed to be organic by 2010. The UK grocery market was worth $206 billion in 2006 and USA 634.7$ billion. This growth in the organic food market will have a knock on effect on the drinks industry and will meet the ever-growing demand from consumers for organic wine, which is better for drinkers and better for the environment.

Financial Incentives to Companies to turn Organic

In 2005, 39% of the world organic farmland is in Australia and New Zealand. To combat this The European Union (EU) offers financial support to organic farmers as an incentive for farmers to convert to organic production and help the sector grow. These grants provide farmers with assistance during the period of conversion to organic farming which usually takes three years.

Organic spirits

While not so widely available as organic wine, organic spirits are available through specialist suppliers. The production process for organic spirits does not differ widely from conventional production. The main difference lies in the use of organic raw materials. Organic beers tend to use organic hops in production. Organic beer is now available in a number of pubs and supermarkets throughout the UK.

Fancy visiting an organic vineyard?

If you are into Organic wine why not visit Englands Premier organic vineyard. In addition to processing fruit on site, Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard is one of the main tourist attractions in the 1066 Country region in and around Hastings attracting some 5,000 visitors per annum to its Vineyard & Woodland Nature Trail + Wine tasting.

To buy organic wine or to read more organic related articles go to the Organic Directory in GuideMeGreen.com

Visit Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard



Emma

Wai Chim


,Wine making and appreciation has been described as an artform. Today, “green” drops are regularly available in most bottle shops and cellars. More and more vineyards are adapting sustainable practices in their wine making, harking back to the traditional wine making principles.

Today, about 94 current Australian wine producers (4.1 per cent of the industry) have so far gone back to wine’s original green roots. To qualify as organic producers, winemakers must make their wines from organically grown grapes while adopting organic principles in the production process.

Some have been seriously organic since the early 1970s, while the majority only started going green in the 1990s.

So what’s the SOB

Sustainable wine – sustainable wine generally means its production minimises the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides. Non-organic chemicals may be used minimally in certain conditions. Sustainable wine can also relate to practices that keep the environment in mind.

Organic wine - organic wine is certified by one of the qualified certifying in Australia, typically the Australian Certified Organic (a division of the Biological Farmers Association) or the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA). To qualify for organic certification, a vineyard verfies that it does not use certain chemicals, including pesticides and herbicids and that vines are handled minimally.

Bio-dynamic wine – adapts organic principles with a focus on the ecosystem and nature. Stemming from the theories of Rudolf Steiner, biodynamic principles are designed to be in tune with the Earth’s natural rhythms with a holistic approach to the preparation and nurturing of the vineyards’ soils. Demeter is the oldest seal in Australia, and is administered by the Bio-Dynamic Research Institute to certify biodynamic wines.

Find great organic wines on the Green Pages.



Taylor

Ben


First of all, we need to explain what an organic wine is. An organic wine is made from grapes grown according to the organic agriculture. That means any chemical products as pesticides, fertilisers and insecticides are used into the vine. All of these things damage the soil and can end up in the wine as residue. The legal definition of Organic Wine is somewhat more complicated and varies according to where the vineyard is, where the grapes are from it are fermented into wine and, finally, in which market it will be sold. In all cases, the owner must be able to prove which vineyard the grapes come from, which officially recognized body certified the vineyard as organic and from what date certified organic practices began.

The idea is that making wine from grapes grown without man-made chemicals is better both for the planet and for the wine drinker, because there are no chemical residues to end up either in the vineyard soil or in the wine.

Organic Vineyards promote polyculture (biodiversity) by allowing plants other than vines to grow in and around the vineyard. This sort of biodiversity helps regulate the vineyard soil.

So, when you decide to buy and taste a bottle of organic wine, you do 2 gests. On for the planet and the environment (as any chemical products are used) and a second towards you as there is no residue into the wine you will taste.

Some tips now to enjoy organic wine.

In most case, decanting benefits both the appearance and the taste of the wine. Decanting helps the appearance by leaving any sediment in the wine at the bottom of the bottle the wine came in, rather in your glass. Remember that organic wines are often bottled without fining or filtration, so they are likely to contain sediment. This is often a good sign in a wine. Decanting helps the wine to breathe and develop all its aromas.

If after all, you are not convinced, why not pop in a real good independent wine merchant to have a little tasting and let yourself be seduced by the wine.



Cathy

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