Why bio-dynamic & organic?
One way to be sure that the wine you are drinking is beneficial rather than harmful could lie with switching to drinking organic wine. Compared to drinking wines made with herbicides, pesticides, and sulphates, switching to organic is a great option for the health-conscious or those people that just like a cleaner, environmentally friendly solution.
Organic grapes mean organic wine
When Vintners treat vines with pesticides, 'plant protection products' (PPP), and herbicides, they are trying to kill off specific weeds or insects or more generally anything that could kill or cause harm to a vine. However, one result is that the wine you drink can contain residue. In addition surrounding soil and rivers, are detrimentally affected and the local ecological environment suffers.
Organic grapes and vines are not sprayed with harmful chemical pesticides, fertilisers and herbicides. As a result, organic wine is a more natural and cleaner product to consume.
A wine that is labelled ‘organic’ or ‘biologique’ in French refers to what not only what happens in the vineyard, but also the winemaking process, which sets it apart from conventional wines.
A vineyard follows specific agricultural practices to produce grow organic grapes. They must ensure they maintain the health and condition of their vines using natural methods rather than those used in a conventional winery.
Organic wine uses less preservatives
The preservative most commonly used in conventional winemaking is sulphur dioxide (SO2). This Sulphite contains antibacterial properties that lengthens the life of the wine.
Whilst it tends to be harmless to most consumers some people can suffer allergic reactions, including rash, hives, cramps and blotchy skin. If you have a lack of certain enzymes, that are needed to break down sulphites in the body, you should not consume conventional wine.
Wine made in Europe can contain up to 210 PPM (parts per million) of sulphites, but any wine having over 10 PPM must include “contains sulphites” on the label. Therefore, any bottle of wine from Europe that states “contains sulphites” could have anywhere between 10 and 210 PPM of sulphates. The problem is you simply don’t know the exact amount.
A wine from America can contain up to 350 PPM!
If a wine producer is certified as being organic, their wine will include the logo of any one of a few regulating bodies. The two main regulators are DEMETER and ECOCERT.
The level of sulphites allowed in organic wine, is much lower than allowed in conventional wines. The lower the level of sulphates the more natural the wine, resulting in health and ecological benefits.
Organic wine contains less added sugar
Conventional wines tend to contain a higher level of added sugar, reducing the natural balance and reducing health benefits. Sweetness or perceived sweetness of a wine can be achieved through either natural processes or through artificial intervention.
The amount of sugar in wine determines the alcohol content of the wine. Winemakers may add sugar during the winemaking process to achieve their desired alcohol by volume (ABV) % or they may stop the fermentation process sooner, naturally increasing sweetness but reducing ABV%. Artificially adding sugar is a process in winemaking known as chaptalisation, whose purpose is solely to increase the alcohol content. If winemakers add sugar to hide imperfections in taste this is almost always because inferior grapes have been used in the winemaking process.
Eating too much sugar can contribute to people having too many calories, which can lead to weight gain. Being overweight increases your risk of health problems such as heart disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes. Organic wine do not contain added sugars. This makes it suitable for those wishing to reduce their overall sugar intake and reap the associated benefits.
Organic wine has fewer additives
Organic wines are free of additives such as refined sugar, sulphuric acids and fining and clarification agents.
Organic winemaking practices avoid using chemicals and promote biodiversity in our environment. The use of chemicals can spoil the PH balance of the soil, kill environmentally beneficial insects and weeds, and pollute groundwater and local waterways. Organic wine is natural, sustainable and much more eco-friendly compared to conventional wine.
Organic wine hangovers aren’t as bad
We have already highlighted that organic wines have fewer sulphites and artificial chemicals. By consuming organic wine, the chances of a potential hangover are substantially reduced, meaning you are able to enjoy and still be in great shape the next day.
The benefits of organic wine are worth considering. However, you should still maintain hydration, while relishing the taste of different organic wines and still drink in moderation.
Our promise
The Organic and Bio-dynamic wines selected by our experts are chosen to be good for you, the planet, and your wallet. We deliver to our customers every day of the week because convenience and superior customer service is at the heart of what we do.
