What is an organic wine?

What if I told you that there is no such thing as an organic wine? An organic wine is above all made from organically grown grapes. That said, it is the wine that is labelled organic!

What label certifies a wine as organic?

Organic wines are certified by a label. In France, this is most often the AB (Agriculture biologique) label. There is also a European label for organic products. The AB label is available on all three colours of wine: organic red wines, organic rosé wines and organic white wines.

As mentioned in the introduction, it is primarily viticulture, i.e. the way in which the vines are grown, that is concerned by the Organic Agriculture label. The organic label is therefore seen on the wine, although it actually concerns the growing conditions.

The winegrower who works organically limits the use of inputs, favours the use of natural and renewable resources (organic fertilisers for example, as we have been doing throughout our vineyard since 2007), and strictly restricts the use of synthetic chemicals.

Is it normal to have sulphites in an organic wine?

Another characteristic of organic wines, which is often overlooked, concerns their vinification. During this stage, sulphites or more precisely sulphur dioxide (SO2) are naturally produced.

It is also possible to add "sulphur" during the vinification process. Are you wondering whether organic wine contains sulphites? The addition of sulphites in organic wines is more limited than in more conventionally produced wines.

Does an organic wine taste better?

Quite frankly, this question makes no sense! Firstly, because like all wines, organic wines are different from one another depending on the appellations, grape varieties, vintages and quality of the harvest, the oenologist's know-how, etc...

Secondly, because tastes are always subjective: some prefer fruity and light wines, others prefer more powerful wines with more body.

Finally, because depending on the context in which you taste the wine, you will appreciate it in a different way.

Some research studies tend to show that organic wines "taste better" than other wines. However, these studies should be analysed with a critical eye. For example, most of them are based on the results of the ratings of specialist magazines, in which organic wines are a priori very popular. This is why the Vignerons de Buzet have written a guide to help you choose the right organic wine for you.

Organic wines are popular

What is certain is that organic wines are popular. 57% of buyers are prepared to pay more for an organic wine according to the So Wine/Dynata 2021 barometer, and this percentage is up 10 points compared to 2020.

The surface area of vines cultivated organically is also increasing. At Nous, Les Vignerons de Buzet, in 2022, organic vines will represent 20% of the vineyard. This is more than the national average (14% of organic vines in France).