Understanding Organic Wine Labels
Ever wonder what you’re really drinking when you buy organic wine—or even if your wine’s organic in the first place? Some organic wines don’t advertise that fact on the label—in part because organic vintages of yesteryear didn’t live up to taste expectations. Here’s your guide to the somewhat confusing terms on the bottle. (Hint: The only difference between a 100 percent and 95 percent organic wine may be whether it was fermented with yeast.)
Try these certified-organic liquors at your next mixer....
Test your knowledge about USDA-certified organic foods. How Organic Are You?-Test your knowledge ab...
Eco-warriors, dress the part!...
But of course, the bottle you uncork to accompany that organic meal will be chemical- and sulfite-f...
Bottle Delivery Having trouble finding organic wine at your local liquor store? Have fine domestic and imported organic wines delivered to your home. Order through: • EcoWine.com: (888) 326-9463 • OrganicVintages.com: (877) 674-2642 • OrganicVintners.com: (303) 245-8773 • OrganicWinePress.com: (541) 347-3326
Much Ado about Sulfites Sulfur dioxide, a wine preservative, inhibits mold and bacteria growth, stops oxidation, and preserves flavor. Some organic vintners believe small amounts of added sulfites are necessary to preserve their wine’s character; others disagree. Fortunately, wine lovers have a choice about what they drink, and they can rest assured that organic wines generally contain fewer sulfites than conventional.
• All wines naturally contain low levels of sulfites, a natural fermentation byproduct. • All U.S. wines that exceed ten ppm must be labeled “contains sulfites.” • A tiny percentage of the population is highly allergic to sulfites (usually suffering asthmatic attacks). • Many people are sensitive to sulfites. Reactions include headaches, burning sensations, hives, cramps, and flushed skin. • Conventional U.S. wines can contain up to 350 ppm of sulfites. Organic wine must have less than 100 ppm sulfites.
You can use this comment form to enter your personal experiences or additional information and resources that you'd like to share with Natural Home readers. Your helpful advice will be posted on this page. E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments.
Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.
Subscribe to Natural Home
Welcome to Natural Home, the authority on green lifestyle and design. With an up-to-date outlook on current trends in sustainable building and wholesome living, Natural Home gives today’s eco-conscious homeowners the information they need to live in nurturing, healthy homes. Subscribe to Natural Home today to get inspired on the art of living wisely and living well.
Save money and a few trees by paying with your credit card now. Take advantage of our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You’ll save an additional $4.95 and get six issues of Natural Home for just $15! (Offer valid only in the U.S.)
Or, choose Bill Me Later and pay just $19.95