{{Short description|Wine made from grapes in the principles of organic farming}} {{Distinguish|natural wine|biodynamic wine}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}} thumb|Organic wine
'''Organic wine''' is wine made from grapes grown in accordance with the principles of organic farming, which exclude the use of artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. The legal definition of organic wine varies from country to country, with the European Union setting harmonised rules for all its member countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Useful Guide to Organic Wine |url=https://wineclubreviews.net/guides/organic-wine#certification |work=Useful Wine Guides}}</ref>
== Background == Data indicates the consumption of organic wine grew at a rate of 3.7% over the year ending September 19, 2009,<ref>The Nielsen Company</ref> exceeding growth (of 2%)<ref>Mintel Market Research</ref> in the consumption of non-organic wine during a similar period. According to industry data, there are approximately 1,500–2,000 organic wine producers globally,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.organicwinefind.com|title=Organic Wine|work=organicwinefind.com}}</ref> including negociant labels, with more than 885 organic domains in France alone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.organic-wine.bien-boire.info/|title=Everything about french organic wine [domains : 902]|work=bien-boire.info|access-date=January 7, 2014|archive-date=August 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807014246/http://www.organic-wine.bien-boire.info/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Production and preservatives== For wine produced in the European Union, the addition of sulfites used as preservatives is permitted in organic wine, but at lower maximum levels than in conventional wine production.<ref>Wine And Water Watch: [http://winewaterwatch.org/2018/03/america-vs-europe-the-organic-divide/ "America vs. Europe: The Organic Divide"]</ref> In other countries, the preservative is not permitted at all in organic wine. In the United States, wines certified "organic" under the National Organic Program cannot contain added sulfites, but wines labelled as "wine made from organic grapes" can.<ref>Organic Wine Journal: [http://www.organicwinejournal.com/index.php/2008/03/what-is-organic-wine#Organic Wine Journal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606231301/https://www.organicwinejournal.com/index.php/2008/03/what-is-organic-wine/#Organic |date=June 6, 2023 }}</ref>
A 2017 study conducted by the UMR Moisa (Supagro Montpellier/Inra),<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://avis-vin.lefigaro.fr/economie-du-vin/o129801-le-vin-bio-est-bon-pour-l-emploi-selon-une-etude-presentee-au-salon-du-bio-a-marseille|title=Le vin bio est bon pour l'emploi, selon une étude présentée au salon du bio à Marseille|work=Le Figaro - Le Figaro Vin|access-date=2018-08-17|language=fr}}</ref> found that an organic wine farm creates 1.5 times more jobs than a non-organic wine farm. The study reported that 34.6% of organic farms employ one or more permanent employees, compared to 21.6% in the case of non-certified farms. Similarly, 71.49% of employees are full-time, compared to 66.83% on non-organic farms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vinatis.com/blog-vin-bio-infographie-bilan-2016|title=Filière vins bio en 2017 - infographie {{!}} Vinatis|website=www.vinatis.com|language=fr|access-date=2018-08-17}}</ref>
== Organic certification == Organic certification of wine presents complexity due to different nations have different certification criteria.<ref>{{cite web |title=Organic Wine Journal |url=http://www.organicwinejournal.com}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, organic wine is defined as wine made from organic grapes.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dimitri |first=Safonov |website= Organic Wine Club |title=What are organic wines? A guide on organic wine its benefits |url=https://organicwineclub.co.uk/blogs/news/what-are-organic-wines-a-guide-on-organic-and-better-wines |access-date=16 May 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200329081412/https://organicwineclub.co.uk/blogs/news/what-are-organic-wines-a-guide-on-organic-and-better-wines |archive-date=29 March 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Soil Association |url=https://www.soilassociation.org/ |access-date=16 May 2017 |website=www.soilassociation.org}}</ref>
In the United States, regulations govern the organic winemaking process at all stages of production, including those related to harvesting, the types of yeast that can be used, as well as storage conditions. The National Organic Program, run by the United States Department of Agriculture, sets standards for certification of organic foods, including organic wines.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2009 |title=Guidelines For Labeling Wine With Organic References |url=https://www.ams.usda.gov/?dDocName=STELPRDC5077433 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828040316/http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5077433 |archive-date=2009-08-28 |access-date=2009-10-20}}</ref> These regulations apply to both imported and domestic wines that have acquired USDA certification. The total sulfite level must be less than 20 parts per million to receive organic certification.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atf.gov/alcohol/alfd/wine.pdf |title=USDA|publisher=USDA|date=30 Sep 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041021080518/http://www.atf.gov/alcohol/alfd/wine.pdf |archive-date = 2004-10-21}}</ref>
A key distinction in defining organic wine relates to the use or non-use of preservatives, particularly sulfur (sulfur dioxide and sulfites), during the winemaking process. In the US, no additional sulfites may be added to any organic product, including wine. In the European Union, sulfites are permitted in organic wine.<ref>{{cite web |title=EU Rules on Organic Wine |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:071:0042:0047:EN:PDF |work=Europa.eu}}</ref> Most other countries do not have their own standards. Another difference is that the label "Made with Organic Grapes" can be used in the US if the grapes used to make the wine are certified "organic", even if the wine has added sulfites (up to 100 parts per million) or uses non-native yeasts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Organic 101: Organic Wine |url=https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/organic-101-organic-wine |work=USDA}}</ref> Europe does not have a comparable label.
Issues related to labor rights in certifications have also been documented.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mahr |first=Krista |date=2016-10-31 |title=A documentary raises questions about 'slavery' in South Africa's vineyards |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/10/31/a-documentary-raises-questions-about-slavery-in-south-africas-vineyards/ |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>
==Natural wine== {{Main|Natural wine}}
Natural winemaking is a style characterized by using native yeasts in the fermentation process and minimal or no sulfur dioxide in the winemaking process. It may also involve wines that are unfined and unfiltered as well. Natural winemaking is not governed by laws in the U.S. and has no inspection or verification process unless it is a biodynamic wine.{{citation needed|date=July 2011}}
==Sustainable wines== Some farmers implement sustainable farming practices. Examples include the use of composting and the cultivation of plants that attract insects that may be beneficial for the vines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sustainable, Biodynamic, Organic, Natural Sparkling Wines Explained {{!}} Glass Of Bubbly |url=https://glassofbubbly.com/sustainable-biodynamic-organic-natural-sparkling-wines-explained/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=glassofbubbly.com}}</ref> Sustainable winemaking systems outlined in the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices Workbook published by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA).<ref>{{cite journal|author=Gary Zucca|author2=David E Smith |author3=Darryl J Mitry |date=June 2009 |volume=2009 |number=1 |pages=189–194 |doi=10.2147/IJWR.S5788 | title=Sustainable Viticulture and Winery Practices in California: What Is It, and Do Customers Care?|url=http://www.dovepress.com/sustainable-viticulture-and-winery-practices-in-california-what-is-it--peer-reviewed-article-IJWR|journal=International Journal of Wine Research|doi-access=free }}</ref>
Environmental issues addressed by sustainable wine range from wildlife habitat and pest management, to soil health. Renewable energy and improvements in infrastructure such as capturing and recycling carbon dioxide from alcoholic fermentation also play a role.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Goode |first=Jamie |title=Authentic wine : toward natural and sustainable winemaking |date=2011 |others=Sam Harrop |isbn=978-0-520-26563-9 |location=Berkeley |oclc=697974201}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Drink|Wine}} *Organic movement *Biodynamic wine
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Wines}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Organic Wine}} Wine Category:Wine