What’s the difference?
Sustainble vineyards - ”Often billed as the new buzz-word in the wine business, “sustainability” is defined as a holistic approach to growing and food production that respects the environment, the ecosystem and even society.” (Sarah Berkley Sonoma Index-Tribune)
Made with Organic Grapes - wines produced from least 70% organic grapes. These wines may have sulfur dioxide added.
Organic - wines that have are at least 95% certified organic. These wines may have an additional 100 ppm of sulfur dioxide added to them.
100% Organic - wines produced with grapes that are certified 100% organically grown and do not have any added sulfites.
Biodynamic wines – wines produced in vineyards designed as and practiced as a single, living, self-sustaining system. In other words, biodynamic practices involves more than agriculture itself. Biodynamic vineyards revolve around more cosmic philosophies including lunar and cosmological cycles. It is the most holistic method of agricultural production and frequently viewed as a “supercharged system of organic farming.”
And what about “sulfites”?
First, there’s a difference between “sulfites” and “added sulfites.” All wines contain natural sulfites that keep them from spoiling in the bottle. “Added sulfites” means that an extra dose has been added to the mix for stability, to enable a longer aging process, and to extend the consumption date. Most wines do have added sulfites, including those labled “made with organic grapes. Only organic, 100% organic, and biodynamic wines cannot have added sulfites according to the USDA.
Second, only 1% of wine drinkers are sensitive to sulfites and experience physical reactions. The availability of wines without “added sulfites” allows sensitive drinkers to enjoy an organic label without the worry of how it might affect them physically. One of the wines is Our Daily Red by Nevada County Wine Guild. It’s a nice red table wine that I happen to enjoy a lot myself. Although I don’t have trouble with sulfites, it’s nice to have a couple bottles of organic wines in the rack just in case I have guests with “special wine needs.”
Don’t be fooled.
Of the five categories listed above, one bears caution: Sustainably-farmed, sustainably-grown, etc. DOES NOT guarantee the wine is organic. In fact, grape farmers can initiate more toxic methods of farming including synthetic fertilizer and additives if the need arises. Currently, the sustainable winegrowers are self-governed and do not have USDA required policies and standards.
Personally, the only thing I’ve noticed in particular about organic wines is that they just don’t last very long after being opened. But I rarely have a bottle that isn’t polished off the same night it’s opened. My personal favorite: Our Daily Red.
