The Truth About Organic Wine

Greenhouses on urban organic farm

Wine club members are more curious than ever about what exactly goes into their food. And those who are looking for the “healthiest” food often choose the organic product, because it is free of chemicals, pesticides and often, additives.

The same goes for wine. Wine lovers wanting to “drink green” will reach for an organic wine. However, a few caveats are in order.

First, like all wines, organic wines usually have additives. These can include egg whites or animal enzymes, so vegans be warned.

Second, all organic wines are not created equal. Meaning, some are more organic than others.

Let the label be your guide.
There are four categories for organic wines:

1. “% organic” –  Lists the percentage of the wine that is organic. Can include added sulfites.
2.  “Organic” – This wine will bear the USDA organic seal. It’s made 100% from organically grown grapes. You’ll find the name of the agency that certifies the vineyards as organic on the label. It cannot have any added sulfites, however, naturally occurring sulfites are okay, as long as they don’t exceed 20 parts per million.
3. “Made with Organic Ingredients” – Sulfites may be added, however, they cannot exceed 100 parts per million. The U.S. maximum for wine 350ppm — far less than the 2,000 ppm limit recommended for apricots.
4. “Made with Some Organic Ingredients” – Sulfites may be added.

The issue of sulfites is important.
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) protects wine from bacteria and prevents it from turning into vinegar — in other words, it allows a wine to age gracefully.

A small percentage of people, often those with asthma, report reactions to wines with added sulfites – headaches, hives, itching. Experts disagree as to how sulfites in wine cause this, or even if they do. Nonetheless, some people avoid sulfites in wine.

Europe’s organic wines can include the addition of sulfites.  U.S. organic wines can’t and therefore they will undergo changes in flavor over time that their European counterparts won’t.

This may be why you don’t see that many “organic” wines. A good compromise for winemakers and consumers is the “Made with Organic Ingredients” and “Made with Some Organic Ingredients” categories. These allow the addition of sulfites, but not very much (100 parts per million or less). So the wine can be preserved, and the sulfite load can be managed.

Though not every wine featured in The California Wine Club is organic, wine club members can be assured that the small artisan wineries we feature practice sustainable farming.

Since 1990, it’s been our wine club’s mission to help artisan wineries share their small-batch wines with wine enthusiasts everywhere. At The California Wine Club we happen to think these wines simply taste better than the mass-produced wines that dominate store shelves.

We visit the wineries, meet the families and winemakers behind the wines and then invite them to share their favorite wines with our wine club members. Every wine featured in our wine of the month club comes from a real-working winery.

Come join our adventure!