According to some data,
wine is commonly drunk by people between the age of 21 and 34; women think
about healthier wine more than men do; those who earn less are interested in organic
wine more than those who earn more money (the rich strive to traditional or
probably expensive wine). Otherwise, organic wine, produced and sold now
worldwide, is not a threat to those who produce wine in a traditional way.
As estimated, there are
2,000 organic vineyards, of which almost nine hundred are in France. The
largest area of organic vineyards is in Italy– about 45,000 ha (45 % in
Sicily), then in Spain (21,000 ha) and France (10,000 ha). In Europe there are
92,500 ha, which means that viticulture makes about 1 per cent of entire
organic farming. However, although organic wine is more and more talked about,
its destiny is entangled in different interpretations of organic farming and
organic products. In the European Union until recently it was not allowed to
put a label on the bottle „ organic wine“, but only a descriptive note: „made
from organic grapes“. At the beginning of 2013, in Brussels, the EU allowed
labels „organic wine“. Even more important is that, under these new rules,
organic wine can contain sulfites which was unthinkable to for many. It may
support claims that sulfites are not harmful to health, but this is all about
financial reasons: sulfites allow wine to last longer.
In the European Union
the amount of sulfites organic wine can contain is: 100ppm total for red wine,
150ppm for white wine or rosé,
as opposed to the 10ppm allowed in the
US (only when naturally occurring). Conventional wines in the US are allowed
350ppm.
What is organic wine?
Organic wine is made from grapes grown in accordance with the
principles of organic
farming, which means the strict application of numerous
rules and criteria, and each product labeled organic must obtain a certificate
as evidence of compliance with the rules. Viticulture in accordance with the
principles of organic farming means production of healthy grapes and quality
wine. Biological laws are respected, natural fertility of soil is enhanced and
its microbiological activity which contributes to the healthy nutrition of
vines is used. Land cultivation is minimized, and use of mineral fertilizers
and synthetic pesticides is prohibited. Constant control of production which
fits into the protection of environment, organic viticulture ensures the
quality, preservation of the environment and human health. The vineyard has to
be far from the industrial pollution, high-ways and conventional plantings. In
the vicinity of the vineyard should be a belt of planted trees and shrubs
because they have a good effect on the presence of beneficial organisms and
stability of agro-ecological system. The content of harmful substances in the
soil must be below the prescribed value. The decision on the sustainability of
land for organic production brings, after the control of land, air and water,
is brought by an authorized person from a licensed institution. Since
soil is usually poor in
organic matters, it is necessary to add humus. For normal development and good
yield, soil must have 2.5-3% humus. Only organic fertilizers are used as
nutrient. That can be manure, compost,
humus (earthworm), peat and wood ashes.
In addition to organic,
biodynamic wine appeared recently. While organic wine cannot contain chemicals
that are formed by using fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, or sulfates,
biodynamic wine producers are even tougher: they adopted everything stated
above and went a step further by using specially prepared manure (from ox
horns, for example), by not using either preservatives, or to defend the vine
leaves from pests and most work in the vineyard and the winery is prepared
according to the lunar domains. There is no a strict line between these two
types of producing grapes. Thus, some individual organic farmers are adopting
techniques closer to biodynamics, and they grow plants that attract insects
useful for the health of the vine. With special barriers intended for animals that
harm plants, allow weed to grow and wild plants to grow between the rows of
vines. The use of biodiesel in the vineyards also reduces the risk of emissions
of harmful particles, and a plaw and horses are more and more popular. With the
increase in global demand, interest in organic wine becomes an obsession of
analysts. Careful analysis shows that organic wines do not attract too many
consumers yet. Especially, not in these areas, or the region, where the label „
organic wine“ means bad luck, or unstable area for every winemaker, who counts
on free access to the market. Even those winemakers who produce wines on their
own with a „smell of“ organic, hide that fact instead of proudly putting it on
the label! So it appears that organic wines almost do not exist in the region.
