Organic wine | Biodynamic

Viele Hände halten einen grünen Baum als Symbol für den Schutz der Natur

Organic wine is not a trend, but an attitude to life. It starts with the winegrower, who pays meticulous attention to sustainability, organic fertilisers and pesticides, as well as the protection of the environment, climate and biodiversity. It ends with the consumer, who appreciates and enjoys the high-quality product. These farms have also fully convinced us.

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Organic wine – what exactly makes the difference?

The quantity makes the difference. It is important to note that commercially successful, conventional wines in particular are produced in large quantities. Oenological processes are necessary in order to produce large quantities of wine with consistent quality and a similar taste. Organic wines are a natural product whose distinctive, unique taste is a mark of quality. And organic wines are naturally good for our environment and therefore for our health.

When can a wine be called organic wine?

A wine receives the EU organic label if it meets certain criteria. In organic viticulture, for example, the winegrower takes care to preserve and promote the vineyard ecosystem. He relies on robust grape varieties and suitable beneficial organisms to ward off pests and improve soil quality. Pesticides and genetic engineering are taboo in organic viticulture. Organic winegrowers also refrain from using synthetic fertilisers; only selected organic and mineral fertilisers such as plant compost and rock flour are permitted. In individual cases, copper-based plant protection products are permitted in organic viticulture to combat fungal diseases and downy mildew.

Less sulphur in organic wines

In order to obtain the EU organic label, 95 per cent of the grapes in an organic wine must be organic grapes. Organic wine must also contain less sulphur than conventional wine. In the interests of sustainability, organic wine should also have a cork closure. However, a cork closure results in higher wine loss compared to less sustainable closures such as metal screw caps or crown caps.

Higher standards for organic wines often not visible

Some organic winegrowers go beyond the regulations of the organic label on their own initiative. They also reduce their water and energy consumption, lower their CO2 emissions and promote biodiversity in their respective regional cultural landscapes. However, these higher standards, which are produced under the EU organic label, are not made visible by the label. This is where consumers are called upon to find out more about organic wineries and their production methods for themselves.

The most important labels for organic wines

As with organic food, there are other special labels for organic wine production beyond the EU organic label, for which other criteria are important: for biodynamic wine, for example, emphasis is placed on a circular economy within the farm. This is represented by the Demeter label. Wineries with the ‘Fair'n Green’ seal pay attention to holistic sustainability in procurement, viticulture, cellar management and sales. For ‘FairChoice’ organic wines, ecological, economic and social aspects are important to the wineries.