Feb 08 2012

Why Organic?

Published by susan

What does “Organic Wine” mean? Most people don’t realize that grapes are some of the most heavily sprayed agricultural crops, sprayed with a variety of chemical insecticides, fungicides and herbicides throughout the growing season. These chemicals or their residues can be absorbed through the skin of the fruit or leech into the soil and be absorbed by the vines roots and therefore wind up in the wine we drink. Organic wines are made from grapes which are cultivated without recourse to synthetic fungicides, herbicides or fertilisers. Organic vineyards are inspected regularly, in order to be officilly described as “certified organic.”

europeanWines labelled “Bio-dynamic” embrace all organic ideas and actually pre-date the organic movement by half a century. However, it has only gained wider recognition recently. Bio-dynamic growers respect the “dynamic” cycles of the moon, sun, planets and stars. They must time vineyard ploughing, pruning and even when to pick the grapes to cosmic cycles vitalises vines, strengthens them from within. This produces healthier vines - and more highly flavoured wines.

Many organic and biodynamic vineyards hand pick their grapes, rather than using mechanical pickers. This allows only the ripest and healthiest grapes to be picked with a minimum of stress or damage inflicted to the vine, fruit or soil. Organic and Biodynamic vineyards choose natural methods to obtain the strongest and richest grapes possible, with the fewest detrimental effects on the environment, and their wines reflect that dedication to quality.

Many of these wines are also “Vegan” as well! What determines whether a wine is vegetarian is fining. Fining agents are aded to the wine to precipitate the microscopic particles, and it is these agents which will determine whether or not a wine is vegetarian.

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