Organic Wines: Tasty, Healthy and Trendy

Feeling fit and healthy combined with epicurean enjoyment perfectly harmonize with tasty organic wines.

We discovered organic wines about ten years ago. We gradually moved in that direction. The transition was facilitated by the exceptional quality that we discovered bottle after bottle: vivid color, distinctive aroma, exquisite taste and munificent finale. In addition, organic wine is definitely a plus for our health and well-being thanks to grapes produced in sustainable agriculture free of all chemical influence, and in the winery, a better selection of yeast and no synthetic chemical fining agents.

Our passion for organic and macrobiotic wine is led by the taste first, and we gain, as a bonus, a better health.

This article is about Health and Fitness.

Why choose an organic wine?
The organic wine process starts first in organic vineyards where the ecosystem and biodiversity are entirely respected. This noble art continues in the winery where the approach follows rigorous ethical standards in techniques and cellaring.

Producing an organic wine begins in the vineyard
The vines grow in a healthy soil well-enriched with compost such as organic manure, bone meal, fish meal and humus. It consequently brings to the fruits a better resistance to diseases. Therefore, the organic grapes used for making organic wines are free from synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. Most organic certifications require that the vineyard be free of all chemicals for a period of at least three years. Biodiversity, soil maintenance and companion plants are also essential to succeed in organic farming.

Producing an organic wine also takes place in the winery
The organic winemakers must take specific care and follow special techniques to transform grapes into a great wine. For instance, one of the major points is that no synthetic chemical fining agents are permitted such as Bentonine, PVPP, Silicon dioxide (Kiesselsol). In non-organic productions, these chemicals are unfortunately used to artificially remedy to some lacks: tannin reduction, color adjustment, clarity and stability, quality impairment and volume of lees.

Sulphur is an essential concept of organic winemaking. It is important to note that high levels of sulphites may significantly contribute to headaches or hangovers. The certified organizations regulate and enforce rigorous standards that include the use of sulphur. Red wines naturally contain antioxidants and generally present a lower amount of SO2 than rosé and white ones. As a guideline, an organic wine with more than 10mg/l must be labeled as “containing sulphites”. Under 60mg/l, it is considered low; under 10mg/l, it is only a trace. In preparation for this book, we select wines presenting 50mg/l or less. In comparison, a conventional non-organic wine often displays a level above 400mg/l.

Biodynamics, Carbon-neutral, Fair Trade and Sustainable agriculture
The vignerons follow the moon cycle in biodynamic production. That method ensures a healthy balance between the soil, vine plants and environment. Wine growers believe that there is an improvement in the color, aroma and concentration of the grapes in a biodynamic vineyard.

The carbon-neutral practice moves forward slowly. Businesses that are certified manage their CO2 emissions to protect the habitat. Grove Mill, a producer from New Zealand, is a leader in this technique.

Fair Trade and Sustainable agriculture is a social movement promoting sustainability. Many farms and vineries are proud to be certified “Fair Trade” in addition to be certified “Organic” such as Las Lomas and Sonop.

Health Benefits
According to Richard Béliveau, Ph. D., the resveratrol contained in red wine helps in the prevention of cancer. The organic winemaking process implies that the filtration is kept to a minimum, retaining precious beneficial elements such as tannins, resveratrol and antioxidants. Dr. Oz said to Oprah: "Resveratrol does one other thing," Dr. Oz says. "It turns on a system in your body that prevents your cells from aging.”

Taking into consideration the benefits for our health and the necessity to avoid trace of chemical pollutants, it is certainly a very wise choice to drink organic wines. There is no doubt for us, we deserve the best. And you?

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