Organic Wine
Anyone who knows me well will tell you how crazy I am about organic food! Nowadays, organic food is readily available but good organic wine is hard to come by. It’s an area in wine that is just starting to come around as the demand for organic and biodynamic wines increase. It’s my intent to take some of the guess work out of finding good organic wines and explain some terms.
There really is some confusion about organic and biodynamic wine. Technically, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and firearms does not allow the term “Organic Wine” to be used on wine labels. Often, you will see such terms as , “Grapes organically grown” or “Organically processed”. (More on these terms later) Some wineries have been practicing organic and biodynamic methods for decades and there may be nothing on their labels to indicate so. I know….even more confusing! Mendocino County in California, for example, has the largest percentage of organic vineyards of any county in California. Often you won’t see anything on their labels because for these wineries and vineyards, this is a moral way of life. It’s an issue of supporting and respecting our mother earth.
If you are interested in organic wine then it’s just a matter of doing your research. Don’t hesitate to google your favorite wineries and check out their websites. Often they will share their philosophy of making wine and if organic or biodynamic is important to them.
Some terms to know:
Organically grown grapes: Grapes that have been grown without the use of chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers.
Organically processed: Wine that can’t have any sulfites added during winemaking. Sulfites occur naturally in wines and are also often added to preserve. Some organically processed wines are filtered and fined until no sulfites are detected.
Biodynamic: Developed by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in the 1920′s, It involves delving deeper than just using organic grapes in such that it is a holistic system of “living agriculture” where the soil is nurtured in rhythm with the alignment of the planets and cosmos. Natural animal and plant matter are used. These wineries are completely self sustainable.
Demeter: The only certification for Biodynamic products made world wide. On their website, www.demeter-usa.org, they state, “As a non-profit organization, Demeter’s mission is the improve the health of the planet and it’s people by providing certification of products whose ingredients are grown and processed according to the highest agricultural and environmental standards. ”
Vegan: No use of animal products may be used in the winemaking process. Many wineries use some animal products in fining and filtering wine.
CCOF: Stands for California Certified Organic Farmers. This is a certification agency that requires both the vineyards and the winery be certified organic in order to carry their seal.
Following are some organic wines that are stocked in our store that I highly recommend.
Orleans Hill line of wines are stamped USDA Organic. This is possible because there are no sulfites detected and no sulfites added. If a wine is stamped USDA Organic it can not have sulfites dectected or very little detected.
Orleans Hill Alexandria White: $12.99
A blend of muscat and French Colombard. Simple, refreshing and aromatic with notes of pear and mango. Pair it with fresh pasta, light cheeses, seafood, salads, mixed veggies or chicken.
Orleans Hill Our Daily Red: $9.99
Easy drinking red blend of Cabernet, Syrah and Carignan. Bursting with strawberries and vanilla. Pair with berries, poultry, cheese, pork, lamb, tuna or salmon.
Orleans Hill Cote Zero 08: $9.99
A red blend of Grenache, Syrah and a bit of Voigner. Tart cherry flavors and mellowest from this line. Pairs with poultry, pork, lamb or fatty fish.
Orleans Hill Cabernet 08: $10.99
A chewy Cab with the classic green olive aroma followed by enough tannin to stand up to hearty meals. Drink now or cellar for a few years.
Macon Loche: 2007 $17.99
This wine is stamped with the demeter symbol indicating it is biodynamic. It’s an excellent Chardonnay from Burgundy. Youthfully fresh, crisp and dry and has never touched oak. Great lingering finish and great with meat and seafood.
The Yorkville line of wines are grown in Mendocino County in California
Yorkville Eleanor of Aquitaine White 05 $24.99
Complex and full bodied 50/50 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion. Aged for 10 months with the majority in French oak.
Yorkville Semillion 06 $19.99
Dry and light to medium full bodied with a little oak and spice. Blended with 23% Sauvignon Blanc.
Yorkville Malbec 05 $21.99
Medium bodied with red and black berry and plum. Smooth and balanced.
Tre Fili Pinot grigio $14.99
Made with organically grown grapes, it’s simple, dry and easy drinking with a clean finish.
Girasole Vineyards wines are made from certified organic grapes grown in Mendocino California. These wines are stamped with the CCOF symbol and are also vegan.
Girasole Chardonnay 2008 $13.99
The 08 Chardonnay is fresh and lively with aromas of lemon, lime, vanilla and custard. Flavors include, lemon zest, nectarine and toasted grahm crackers. Smooth, creamy and balanced fruit and oak.
Girasole Pinot Noir 08 $15.99
Fruit forward and medium bodied with hints of cranberry, cherry and roasted nuts, this wine will pair well with anything from salmon to pork to grilled vegetables.
These wines are all excellent choices. We also have several others in our store that I will be tasting soon. It’s great to see times change as people become more aware of what we put into our bodies. I’m glad to see these wineries doing their part to help our environment.