Organic wine

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Organic wine is wine made from grapes grown in accordance with the principles of organic farming, which exclude the use of artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. The legal definition of organic wine varies from country to country, be it that the European Union sets harmonised rules for all its member countries.^[1]

The consumption of organic wine grew at a rate of 3.7% over the year ending September 19, 2009,^[2] outpacing growth (of 2%)^[3] in the consumption of non-organic wine during a similar period. There are an estimated 1,500–2,000 organic wine producers globally,^[4] including negociant labels, with more than 885 organic domains in France alone.^[5]

For wine produced in the European Union, addition of sulfites that were used as preservatives is allowed in organic wine, but at lower maximum levels than in conventional wine production.^[6] In other countries, the preservative is not allowed at all in organic wine. In the United States, wines certified "organic" under the National Organic Program cannot contain added sulfites, but wines labelled as "wine made from organic grapes" can.^[7]

In 2017, according to the survey "Le bio, c'est bon pour l'emploi" conducted by the UMR Moisa (Supagro Montpellier/Inra),^[8] an organic wine farm creates 1.5 times more jobs than a non-organic wine farm. 34.6% of organic farms employ one or more permanent employees, against 21.6% in the case of non-certified farms. Similarly, 71.49% of employees are full-time, compared to 66.83% on non-organic farms.^[9]

Organic certification of wine is complex; different nations have different certification criteria.^[10] In the United Kingdom, organic wine is defined as such made out of organic grapes.^[11][12]

In the United States, rules govern the organic winemaking process at all stages of production, including those related to harvesting, the types of yeast that can be used, as well as storage conditions. The National Organic Program, run by the United States Department of Agriculture, sets standards for certification of organic foods, including organic wines.^[13] These rules apply to both imported and domestic wines that acquired USDA certification. The total sulfite level must be less than 20 parts per million in order to receive organic certification.^[14]

Some distinction in defining organic wine lies in the use or non-use of preservatives, particularly sulfur (sulfur dioxide and sulfites), during the winemaking process. In the US, no additional sulfites may be added to any organic product, including wine. In the European Union, sulfites is allowed in organic wine.^[15] Most other countries do not have their own standards. Another difference is that the label "Made with Organic Grapes" can be used in the US if the grapes used to make the wine are certified "organic", even if the wine has added sulfites (up to 100 parts per million) or uses non-native yeasts.^[16] Europe does not have a comparable label.

Labor rights issues for certifications have also been documented.^[17]

Natural winemaking is a style loosely defined as using native yeasts in the fermentation process and minimal or no sulfur dioxide in the winemaking process. It may also mean unfined and unfiltered as well. Natural winemaking is not governed by laws in the U.S. and has no inspection or verification process unless it is a biodynamic wine.^{[citation needed]}

Some farmers may apply sustainable farming practices. Examples include the use of composting and the cultivation of plants that attract insects that may be beneficial for the vines.^[18] Sustainable winemaking systems are embodied in the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices Workbook published by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA).^[19]

Environmental issues covered by sustainable wine range from wildlife habitat, pest management, to soil health. Renewable energy and improvements in infrastructure such as capturing and recycling carbon dioxide from alcoholic fermentation also play a role.^[20]

• Organic movement
• Biodynamic wine