Organic wine is the product of healthy vines, cultivated without fertilizers or synthetic chemical products. There are more and more wines on the market named as such, but there’s still a lot of disinformation about it.

The significant increase in the offer of organic wines is due to a trend that has been growing for various years, for wines that are more respectful to the environment.

A growing sector of consumers is preferring organic options, with their principal motive being the health benefits. And wine is not unaffected by this tendency.

The Most Important Characteristics

1 | The production process for organic wines is similar to that of traditional wines

The difference is that organic viticulture is focused on caring for the environment and finding harmony with the ecosystem.

What does this type of wine producHow do they differ? tion take care of?

It lowers industrial residues in the soils, water, and atmosphere in general, thereby avoiding generating negative effects in the ecosystem and in people, while promoting and sustaining biodiversity.

2 | It’s not directly related to a higher cost for the consumer

Is the final price affected?

Yes, there is a higher cost of labor, due to the fact that the process is manual versus a traditional vineyard. Additionally, with organic cultivation the yields tend to be lower. But that doesn’t mean that the final price of the wine should be significantly higher than a traditional wine with a similar level of quality.

3 | Fertilizers and soil treatments made with compost and manure

Agrochemicals are prohibited throughout the entire production process, while fermentation is done with natural yeasts. The products prohibited in the production of organic wines are: pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, and fungicides.

4 | There’s no difference between an organic, ecological, or biological wine

These are just different names that vary from country to country. In the European Union these terms are protected, so their use is restricted to those wines that carry an official certification.

5 | Just because it’s organic doesn’t automatically mean a wine will have a better or worse taste compared to traditional wine

There are a lot of factors that contribute to a wine’s quality. Only well-trained palates would be capable of detecting a difference in the flavors, but for the majority of people, it would not be easy to distinguish between an organic and non-organic wine.

But considering that these wines are made from healthy, riper grapes, means that the final product is more natural, fresher, and with a more concentrated flavor. It also provides a greater level of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in general (thanks to the absence of agroindustrial chemical products).

6 | In order for a wine to be considered organic, it’s not enough to follow the prescribed practices

Both the grapes and the winemaking process must have a certification by the corresponding organizations.

Learn more about Bouchon’s sustainability policy and organic vineyards clicking here.