Collection: Buy organic red wines

Organic red wines

Organic viticulture has seen significant growth in recent years in France, reflecting a growing consumer awareness. With a constantly increasing area, organic farming is indeed gaining popularity, not only for its environmental benefits but also for the intrinsic qualities it imparts to the wines.

Organic wines in France

With nearly 20% of the vineyard managed under organic farming, or about 150,000 hectares, France is at the forefront in the field of organic viticulture.

Our country indeed shows a significant commitment to this environmentally friendly practice. The regions most advanced in this approach include Alsace,  Provence,  Corsica,  Languedoc-Roussillon and the Loire, benefiting from climatic conditions favorable to the organic cultivation of vines.

The making of a red wine

Before exploring the principles of organic farming, it is essential to understand the process of making a red wine.

It all begins with the harvest of grapes at optimal ripeness.

Once harvested, the grapes undergo a crushing process, crushing the berries to release the juice.

This juice is then placed in a vat to proceed with fermentation, during which the yeasts transform the sugar into alcohol. During fermentation, the grape skins remain in contact with the juice to extract pigments (anthocyanins), tannins, and aromas.

After fermentation, the produced wine is pressed with the skins and then transferred into the container where it will undergo its aging. This can be in a stainless steel tank, a concrete tank, or oak barrels. In the latter, it will develop new aromatic characteristics (woody, vanilla, spices, etc.)

Finally, once the winemaker deems the wine ready for consumption, it is then bottled and sold on the market.

Organic wine, biodynamic wine, natural wine, what are the differences ?

The principles of organic farming

Organic farming is based on principles aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of humans while promoting biodiversity and soil health.

Certified organic farming estates therefore cultivate their vines without using synthetic chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. They therefore favor alternative methods such as the use of cover crops (green manure) or soil fertilization through composting.

Furthermore, during winemaking, only certified organic inputs are allowed.

Finally, the maximum allowed doses of sulfites are also lower for an organic wine compared to a conventional wine (150mg/L versus 100mg/L for an organic red wine).

The principles of biodynamic agriculture

Biodynamics goes further than organic farming by adopting a holistic approach, integrating practices based on natural rhythms and cosmic forces. Inspired by the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, biodynamics considers the vine as a living organism, interacting with its environment.

Biodynamic practices therefore include the use of natural preparations made from plants and minerals (cow dung, nettle, dandelion, etc.).), the observation of lunar and planetary cycles, as well as respecting cosmic rhythms in viticultural work. The goal of the biodynamic approach is to enhance the vitality of the soil, the vines, and thus the expression of the terroir in the wine.

Moreover, compared to organic farming, the winemaking process is even less interventionist. Thus, the number of inputs usable by winemakers is much more restricted, and the maximum allowed doses of sulfites in wines are lower (70 to 80mg/L maximum for red wines).

To date, about 1% of the French vineyard area is cultivated biodynamically. The two organizations certifying biodynamic agriculture are DEMETER and BIODYVIN.

Natural wines

Natural wines are distinguished by their minimalism in terms of human interventions, whether in the vineyard or the cellar.

Unlike biodynamics and organic farming, where certain inputs are allowed, even in small doses, natural wines are vinified without any addition of oenological additives. Natural winemakers therefore favor spontaneous fermentations, avoid excessive filtration and clarification, and minimize the use of sulfites (the addition is allowed up to 30mg/L for a red wine). Some winemakers even decide to do without it completely !

Proponents of the natural method aim to preserve the authenticity of the wine, faithfully reflecting the terroir on which it was produced, as well as the vintage.

The craze for organic wines

The growing demand for organic, biodynamic, and natural wines can be explained by several factors.

First of all, consumers are increasingly concerned about their health and the environment, seeking products from sustainable and respectful practices. Organic, biodynamic, and natural wines thus partly offer a solution to this issue.

Moreover, organic wines in the broad sense of the term are often perceived as being of higher quality, reflecting the purity of the terroir and the authentic expression of the grape variety.

Finally, the reduction of sulfites also addresses the concerns of consumers suffering from allergies or intolerances to SO2, thus offering a more natural and healthy tasting experience.

In conclusion, organic red wines, whether produced according to the principles of organic, biodynamic, or natural farming, embody the present and future of viticulture. By meeting consumer expectations in terms of health, environment, and taste quality, these cultivation methods contribute to the preservation of wine-growing ecosystems as well as the promotion of a more conscious and responsible lifestyle.