It’s no secret that Americans are head over heels for natural products. Our spinach is organic, our cleaning products green and we shop at Whole Foods (which I’ve affectionately heard dubbed as “Whole Paycheck“). Our next all-natural fixation? Wine.
With wine bottles lining shelves labeled as organic, sustainable and bio-dynamic it’s no wonder that consumers are confused. Eric Asimov wrote a thoughtful piece in his New York Times wine column, The Pour, that discussed whether natural and organic wines boast benefits over traditional wine.
Asimov suggests that despite the latest push for “natural” wines, consumers should pay attention to the quality and flavor of the wine, rather than the process that created it.
According to Jamie Kluz, wine buyer at Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine in Chicago, IL., many customers attribute organic [sustainable or biodynamic] wines with health benefits.
“I think there is a perception that natural wines are better for the body, better for the environment and better quality products,” Kluz said. “In reality what the difference boils down to is farming: how the grapes are produced.”
So if you’re concerned about the origin of your wine, research before you sip. Organic wines are those with no chemical pesticides or herbicides used. Bio-dynamic wines are produced in line with a certain set of practices that take the lunar calendar into consideration. Finally, sustainability considers the environment in which grapes are grown; with every effort to maintain the integrity of both the land and its product.
If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint during 5:00 happy hour, Laura Mohseni, a general manager at Riverbench Vineyard & Winery in Santa Maria, CA., suggests looking for wines that boast sustainability.
“If you choose to drink wine from a vineyard that is mindful of the environment, then there is a certain satisfaction in that,” she said.
As for taste? Let your palate be the judge.
“None [of the terms described above] mean that a bottle of wine will taste any better than a mainstream wine,” Kluz said. “As far as organic wines go, the benefits are no different than the perceived benefits of eating an organic apple versus a regular apple.”
(Photo Credit: Google Images)
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Very interesting as I had no idea such a thing existed as organic wines. That picture is so serene and beautiful
Great article! But i’m going to have to disagree with Paul Kluz’s last quote that “As far as organic wines go, the benefits are no different than the perceived benefits of eating an organic apple versus a regular apple.”
I suppose if you believe that ingesting synthetic chemicals from the herbicides and pesticides sprayed on non-organic crops doesn’t pose any health risks at all then he’s correct that there are no health benefits to consuming organic wines. But common sense says otherwise.
It’s true though as with all products, there are different levels of quality when it comes to organic wines. From what i’ve seen though organic wines tend to be made by winemakers who are really passionate about wine and only want the highest quality grapes and that has a lot to do with the “terroir” which includes the health of the soil.
for a good grounding in sustainability and wines, I’d venture over to http://www.sipthegoodlife.org (or find them on Facebook). Sustainable wines go far beyond the narrow focus of organic or biodynamic wine to focus on not just great farming practices, but on being good to workers, the community, and building a better future. It’s all about Renew, Restore and Replenish, having a positive impact all the way around. and yes, the wines are wonderfully flavorful and well worth seeking out. Look for the SIP seal.
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