Organic wines

Organic wines are characterised above all by the omission of pesticides, synthetic fertilisers and the use of genetic engineering. The idea of organic winegrowers is therefore not only to produce a high-quality and natural wine, but also to cultivate it gently and sustainably and in harmony with the ecosystem.

Compared to conventional winegrowers, there are strict guidelines for organic wines as to which fertilisers and pesticides may be used. Among other things, no herbicides may be used and weeds must be removed mechanically, not chemically or synthetically.

Organic winegrowers only spray their vines with natural substances such as copper, sulphur, baking powder or plant teas, and only to a very small extent. It goes without saying that the use of genetically modified organisms is not permitted for the cultivation of organic wine.

Once a vineyard is freed from synthetic chemicals, the plants greatly build up their resistance to disease over time. As a result, vineyards also need less external "help", which makes the whole environment healthier and also the wine more expressive.

Organic wines must not only adhere to strict cultivation guidelines but also in processing in the cellar.

The guiding principle here is to process the wine as naturally as possible. This begins with the fact that, compared to conventional wines, the must is not subjected to dehydrating processes (reverse osmosis), nor is wine concentrate from artificially frozen grapes allowed to be added (cryoextraction).

Additionally, for fining, clarification, and stabilization of organic wine, substances such as gelatin, bovine blood, or metatartaric acid cannot be used. The same applies to genetically modified yeasts or enzymes. (Yes, all of these and about 50 other partially controversial substances can be added to conventional wine).

Sulfites are also restricted for organic wine:
For wines with a residual sugar content of less than 2 g/l, red wines are allowed a maximum of 100 mg/l SO2 (conventional wines 150 mg/l), and for white and rosé wines, a maximum of 150 mg/l SO2 (conventional wines 200 mg/l). In general, organic winemakers tend to go below these limits.

Organic farming and biodynamic farming have many overlaps but are not the same.

In organic agriculture, the focus is primarily on working sustainably and avoiding chemical-synthetic substances. Biodynamics builds on the organic approach and takes it a step further.

In this approach, scientific methods are combined with spiritual beliefs, and the central idea is that of a self-sustaining organism. The plant and animal life create a cycle in which as a farmer or winemaker, you integrate yourself and ensure the best possible maintenance and promotion of this balance.

The timing of planting, harvesting, and other activities is determined by the lunar calendar. What may sound too esoteric to some is supported by quality, as many biodynamically operated wineries are now counted among the international top wineries.

Biodynamic wines are typically recognizable by certification labels such as Demeter, RespektBiodyn.

Diese Frage hören wir oft :)Jeder Naturwein ist ein Biowein, das ist die Voraussetzung für einen Naturwein. Jedoch ist nicht jeder Biowein automatisch ein Naturwein.

Zu Erklärung: Für Naturweine gibt es zwar keinen gesetzlich festgeschrieben Begriff, jedoch verständigt man sich auf 6 wesentliche Merkmale, die einen Naturwein ausmachen:

1. Biologischer oder Biodynamischer Anbau
2. Handlese
3. Spontangärung
4. Keine Zusatzstoffe, keine Schönungsmittel
5. Keine Feinfiltration
6. Kein/minimaler Einsatz von Sulfiten (Schwefel)

Ein Biowein hingegen muss zwar nach Bio-Richtlinien im Anbau und bei der Kellerarbeit erzeugt werden, jedoch ist es nicht verpflichtend, bspw. von Hand zu lesen, eine Spontangärung zu machen (auch Reinzuchthefen sind zugelassen), und auch dürfen bestimmte Schönungsmittel und eine bestimmte Menge an Schwefel eingesetzt werden.

Es gibt Bioweine, die leider nur aus Marketinggründen ein Biolabel führen, sich um die Qualität des Weines jedoch weniger sorgen. Und gleichzeitig gibt es Naturweine, die gar keine Bio-Zertifizierung aufweisen, jedoch aus der eigenen Motivation der Winzer:in nachhaltig, ohne Zusätze, und im Einklang mit der Umwelt beste Naturweine herstellen. Das sind dann auch Bioweine, jedoch nicht zertifiziert.

Die Erfahrung zeigt, je größer das Biolabel, desto skeptischer sollte man sein, ob man hier nicht mehr auf Marketing als auf Qualität gesetzt hat. Frage deinen Händler nach einem hochwertigen Biowein :)

Bei Drops kannst du Naturweine kaufen, wie auch Bioweine und Biodynamische Weine, die 100% aus aus ökologischem Anbau stammen.

Yes. Sulphites (sulphur) is a much discussed topic in the wine world. Since wine is a stimulant and not a food, it is not obligatory to declare all additives that may be contained in it. With the exception of sulphites.

And these are de facto in every wine, whether added manually or not, because sulphites are automatically produced in the course of fermentation, and sulphites are also contained in the grape seeds. Thus, every wine, whether organic, natural or conventional, contains sulphites.

The question is rather how much sulphites should or may be contained in the wine.

For organic wines with a residual sugar content of less than 2 g/l, a maximum of 100 mg/l SO2 is permitted for red wines (conventional wines 150 mg/l), and for white and rosé wines a maximum of 150 mg/l SO2 (conventional wines 200 mg/l). As a rule, however, organic winegrowers fall further below these limits.

Natural wines - and there are different philosophies - ranged between 10mg/l - 50mg/l SO2 naturally produced during fermentation.

Every organic wine has a label. There are different ones, often you find the EU organic logo, recognisable as a leaf stylised from stars on a green background. There is also the state organic label, Ecovin, Naturland, Bioland, Demeter, and others.

Experience shows that the bigger the organic label, the more sceptical you should be about whether you have not focused more on marketing than on quality. Ask your retailer for a high-quality organic wine :)