More and more of us are looking beyond the wine in our glass and demanding to know how the wine is made. Whether we want wines that are “natural,” biodynamic, organic or sustainable, increasingly we want to know that winemakers are doing their best to protect the environment and not relying on chemicals to ripen their grapes.
In Australia, more people than ever are switching to organic wines in a bid to live a more sustainable lifestyle[i]. Organic wine has become “the norm” in Australia, with sales growing at a massive 54% a year.
It’s time to get the lowdown on the best certified organic and vegan wines to complement your lifestyle – without costing the planet, or your health!
We chatted with Tony Ingle, Chief Winemaker of Angove Organic – Australia’s leading and largest certified organic winery to talk all things wine and sustainability.
What makes Organic wine sustainable?
Certified Organic vineyards go through a rigorous three-year accreditation process prior to the grapes being made into Organic wine. To earn the certification the winery needs to gain the accreditation and provide a certified organic logo on each bottle, giving consumers the confidence that the product they are purchasing is grown organically, crafted in a certified organic winery and is free from harmful chemicals and pesticides.
Not using noxious, petrochemical derived herbicides, fungicides and pesticides in the making of the wines means that it is better for you, with less chemicals potentially entering your body[ii]. Also, healthier soils growing healthier plants that produce flavour packed fruit which creates a greater depth of flavour.
What does vegan wine mean? (Isn’t all wine vegan?)
According to PETA, the majority of people are unaware that some wines are made using animal-derived products. These fining agents, some of which are used to remove protein and yeast include milk, egg whites and isinglass — made from the float bladder of the sturgeon fish.[iii]
Certified Organic wines do not use any animal-based fining products or tested inputs in making the wine. By using only the free run fraction of the juice certified organic wine production does not use the heavy solids in the end wines that necessitate the use of these fining agents. They really are pure and clean, just the way nature intended.[iv]
Is Organic wine healthier for me?
Researchers have established the important role soil plays in supplying nutrients for the human diet, purifying water and providing medicines. This may also lead to exposure to pathogens and various chemical species both organic and inorganic such as chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which have both direct and indirect effects on human health.[v]
There are a small number of people who are sufferers of sulphur dioxide (SO2) intolerance – which can be contained in food preservatives used to prevent browning or discoloration of foods.[vi] Certified organic wines almost always contain less of this preservative than non-organic wines. Although it needs to be said that a handful of dried fruit will contain far more SO2 than a couple of glasses of wine.[vii]
What should we look for when buying organic wine?
First look for the Certified Organic label and corresponding certification number. This ensures the wine you are selecting has been properly accredited and is not merely trading on organic branding.
Australian labels are very clearly laid out with maker, region and variety very easy to identify.
Certified Organic products need to go through a rigorous accreditation process where they are audited each year to ensure they are operating to a strictly controlled organic protocol in everything they do. It is only after a three-year period that they are allowed to label their product as being Certified Organic. One slip up and their certification process starts again.[viii]
What’s the best wine to pair for a romantic evening?
The Angove Organic Cuvee Brut is our 100% Chardonnay Organic Sparkling with flavours of citrus, fresh apple and stone fruit notes – ideal for a picnic or lunch date.
Alternatively, cosy up with a bottle of 100% Organic Merlot with dark red fruits flavours – perfect for a candle-lit dinner followed by a decadent dessert.
Still thirsty? Head to https://angove.com.au/ for a full list of Organic wines.
[i] Australian Organic Market Report, 2019
[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4947579/
[iii] https://www.peta.org/about-peta/faq/is-wine-vegan/
[iv] http://www.organicwinejournal.com/index.php/2008/03/what-is-organic-wine/
[v] European Journal of Soil Science (Jun 2019)
[vi] https://m.health24.com/Medical/Allergy/Allergy-triggers/do-you-have-a-problem-with-sulphur-dioxide-20160421
[vii] https://organicwineexchange.com/sulfur-dioxide-so2-in-wine/
[viii] https://www.wineaustralia.com/news/articles/organic-certification-changes
