Grapes are at the top of the list as one of the most chemically treated fruits on the market - causing organic and biodynamic (BD) wines to rapidly gain credibility and popularity.
While many suggest that "going green" is a fad or a marketing gimmick, oenologists and winemakers across the world are quickly acknowledging the astounding benefits of better farming practices… benefiting the environment, the health of the farms, and the flavor of the wines we drink. Farmers, Viticulturists and Oenologists are the maestro’s of these processes.
Farms regulated under these certifications tend to achieve greater cost efficiency, produce healthier trees and grapes, and of course, are within the parameters of increasing numbers of organic and vegan lifestyles. While this is hotly debated, statistics now show that wine grown without the use of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, and growth stimulants provide a most favorable effect on the grape quality, shelf life, and terroir of wine.
Organic Wine
Becoming a certified organic farmer is no easy task. Certified organic wines are defined by the National Organic Program as “…made from organically grown grapes without any added sulfites." There are still many wines on the market that are made with organic grapes but still contain sulfites, barring them from being labeled as Certified Organic. Comparatively, there are many wines derived from non-organic grapes that are labeled “sulfite free.” Stringent label law requirements will help tell you exactly what you are drinking.
Biodynamic Vineyards
The highest tier of organic farming, biodynamic wine (BDW) uses different compost preparation techniques than all other forms of agriculture. Preparing a crop for biodynamic farming takes nearly a year. A mixture of quartz crystals and water is sprayed onto the plants attracting greater and more intense sunlight, causing the crop to bare more pronounced flavors and increased aging ability. Farms observing this method produce entirely from within the farm and 100% without the use of pesticides. A certified biodynamic vineyard is the super power of organic farming and usually surpasses organically certified farms.
