Since the creation of the official quality label "organic wine" in 2012 by the European Union (EU), we find more and more on the wine market, wine products that proudly display this label. This new concept is foreign to you and you would suddenly like to know more about it and about the wines that can be classified in this category? If so, then you are at right place.
Definition and labels
goes from the visual Format Blog: The term “organic wine”, which is very widespread in popular language, mainly refers to a raw product, transformed and elaborated on the basis of the principles of organic farming, both in the vineyards ( viticulture) than in the cellars (vinification). But you should know that this type of wine is actually called “organic wine”.
If until recently, the quality label that governed the production, processing and development of organic wines in France was Organic Agriculture (AB), since 2012, it has been replaced by the new quality sign “ organic wine”. This is regulated by the EU thanks to European specifications.
And unlike the previous European specifications – which specified that wines from organic viticulture had only to respect the principles of organic agriculture in the vineyard – this one also mentions the principles to be respected during the vinification of organic wines. .
Characteristics
In general, when we talk about organic wine, we often refer to three categories of organic products. Each of them has particular features which, at the same time, differentiate it from other categories of wine products which also benefit from the qualifier “organic”.
· organic wine
This European quality sign introduced in 2012 differs from that of 1991 by its level of requirement. Indeed, the new European regulation goes much further than the latter in its specifications which stipulates that to benefit from the denomination “organic wine”, the vintage must come from both a vine and an organic vinification. .
· biodynamic wine
Unlike the denomination “organic wine” which is certified by the EU, “biodynamic wine” is a non-certified charter based on private specifications.
According to the rules recorded in the latter, the wine products falling into this category of so-called organic wines come from vines that have undergone a homeopathic treatment generally based on plant infusions, but not only.
Beyond that, biodynamic wines respect a sulfur dosage lower than that of organic wine and are in no way subject to chaptalization (addition of sugar).
· natural wine
The uses of this category of wines, which we recall is not certified, are even stricter than the two previous ones. For example, unlike wines qualified as organic, “natural wine” does not tolerate any input. Even if it allows sulfites, especially for preservation purposes, it generally contains only extremely limited quantities.
Where to find organic wines?
Since the early 2010s, sales of organic wines have continued to grow, to such an extent that there are now wine merchants specializing in the sale of organic wines, particularly in large cities.
But you can also find organic wines in other traditional wine shops:
- general wine merchants;
- retail;
- cooperative cellars;
- direct producer sales.
Last point, organic wine does not always mean high quality wine. The basis of organic wine is respect for the environment, but other wines are no worse. So know how to distinguish.
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