Organic Wines: “Sorting Out” the Confusion

The truth be known, grapes have been cultivated for thousands of years and wine has been consumed in many cultures over that time frame.

Advances in agriculture  have improved production, consistency, and yield. However the grape is highly susceptible to disease, pestilence, mold and fungus. As a result, the use of inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are very common in grape production especially those mass producing table grapes for everyday consumption.

Even though the characteristics of grape production are similar for grape varietals used to produce wine, the entire vinicultural process tends to be more exacting and focused on quality production. This results in “managed production” versus mass production. This is especially true for the smaller boutique vineyards and wineries.

So let’s talk about organic wine. The term “organic wine” creates a great deal of confusion for the average wine drinker. What does organic wine mean exactly? 100% organic? Made from organic grapes? An all natural/organic process? Can wine be truly organic?

The simplest definition of organic wine might be: wine made from grapes which have been cultivated without the use of any inorganic compounds such as fertilizers,  pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. However few things in life are really that simple. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its National Organic Program(NOP) is responsible for all labeling standards for any agricultural product being sold as organically grown. Since many of the ingredients used in vinicultural process are not yet certified through the USDA, the definition of organic wines remains clouded and not truly defined.

Generally speaking there are 4 categories for organic wines:

1. 100% Organic: Made from organically grown grapes with no non-organic additives used in the wine making process
2. Organic: Made from organically grown grapes; 95% organic 5% not available organically (naturally occurring sulfite)
3. Made from Organic Grapes: Allows for the addition of non-organic ingredients like sulfite
4. Some Organic Ingredients: Contains both organic and non-organic ingredients

Adding to the murkiness of the organic definition, the use of added sulfites in the wine making process.  Sulfites are naturally occurring sulphuric compounds associated with the grape and are part of the wine making process. Sulfites act as a preservative by killing microbes and extending the life of the wine. The aging of a wine creates complexity, structure, and layered tastes. Without the addition of sulfites, most wines would need to be consumed at an early age and the pleasures of an aged wine lost.

Editor’s note: (The topic of added sulfites in the wine making process warrants further discussion, perhaps in another article.)

So where does this leave the average wine drinker today in their understanding of organic wine? Understandably confused! Until there is greater work done by the USDA and the NOP, the definition of organic wine will remain murky.

Our suggestions are simple. Wine is meant to be enjoyed either by itself or accompanied with food. Given the local food movement and the desire for more organic food by consumers, it is only natural for the selection of organic wines to grow over time. Just be aware, the variability of the organic wine definition is great.

Raise a glass an enjoy!

Some resources on Organic wines:

An Introduction and review of Organic wines available today

The Organic Wine Journal

Wineries that practice organic farming

Organic Wines from around the world

Organic wine review

 

Red or white wine, what kind of person are you?

With an increasing popularity driven by choice, style, price, and geography, the selection of wine has become more than just a color preference.  Conventional wisdom on wine and food pairing advised “red wine with meat and white wine with chicken or seafood.” While this may be safe and generally a good rule to follow, adhering to this traditional pairing style limits your culinary experience.

Sarasota Vineyard, Main Street

Today’s food preparation, while regional in style, incorporates ingredients and spices from around the world. This global melange of flavor creates depth and complexity in the dish which can be enhanced with the right wine accompaniment. Although conventional wisdom on wine and food pairing might be adequate, defying conventional wisdom can be intriguing and rewarding!

When selecting a wine to accompany a meal one of the first factors I consider is “weight.” Although this may seem a bit odd, I am trying to strike a balance between the weight of the food and the weight of the wine. The lighter the meal the lighter the wine; the heavier more complex the meal the more substantial the wine. Conventional wisdom might suggest light food=white wine; while heavier food=red wine. However the light to heavier spectrum of wine selection can be applied to white as well as red. In other words, appropriate red or white choices can often be made to accompany the same dish.

The question becomes: “How do you know what to select?” The answer: taste, taste, taste! You need to try a variety of wines to develop an understanding of your preferences. Once you find something you like, keep a record noting the geographic region and varietal type for example: California Riesling or Australian Shiraz. From that base, you can begin to expand your knowledge by exploring within the varietal for example: Rieslings from California vs. Germany vs. Australia. Alternatively you can explore the varietal within the same region for example: California Cabs (Cabernet Sauvignon) from Napa vs. Sonoma.

The possibilities to expand your knowledge of wine are limitless and at first pass may seem daunting. However a little planning and structure can turn the experience into a tasteful adventure. One way to accomplish this is by attending various wine tastings offered by local wine retailers or restaurateurs. Usually offering 3-5 wines, these tastings are a great way to explore a range of wines from a region and/or vineyard. Some local spots for tastings in the Sarasota area are the following:

MoZiac on Main Street

Restaurants:

MoZiac (tastings every Saturday afternoon)

Bijou Cafe (tastings every 1st Friday of the month through October)

Sarasota Vineyard (regular tastings; free tasting on August 13th 5:30-7:30)

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Retailers:

The Wine to Buy

Total Wine and More

The Wine Warehouse