EcoLiving Ideas

By Amelia Apfel on Apr 10, 2010

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These days, it seems most of us have gotten the message--organic is good. Pesticides are not healthy. We should search out and consume local, in season, and organic foods as often as possible. But according to a recent study, wine doesn't make it onto the list of "better when organic" choices. Consumers aren't willing to pay higher prices for organic bottles, even though those wines received higher ratings for taste from Wine Spectator. Some wine companies go so far as to hide their organic certification, hoping they can buck the trend.

Clearly, organic wine has gotten a bad rap. As consumers, we have the power to change that, and we should. Supporting organic growers is one of the best ways to make organic farming techniques more mainstream. Growing grapes without pesticides and chemicals is difficult, and requires a great deal of work and worry. It's also more expensive for the farmer, and that expense is reflected in the price.

When you're looking for organic wine, the labeling can be confusing. In the US, wine cannot be certified organic unless it has no added sulfites. Many producers believe that sulfites (usually present in very small amounts) are essential to the winemaking process. Because sulfites act as a preservative, wines made without them turn more quickly to vinegar, and could be responsible for giving organic wine its bad reputation. Non-certified wines made with organic grapes usually say so on the label, but you may have to check the small print to find out.

If you're overwhelmed by choices, start with this handy list of recommended producers. Remember that, like any other product, the footprint of wine is astronomically higher when it's produced far away--so stick to local wineries if you can, and indulge your taste for that imported vintage only on very special occasions.

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