Organic wine? What you need to know

Wine from Organic GrapesThis designation means that the grapes used to make the wine were grown according to organic farming practices. These practices avoid the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. Instead, organic vineyards use natural methods like compost, organic pest control, and sustainable soil management.
However, wine from organic grapes may still contain some non-organic additives, like certain sulfites, which are often added as preservatives. While sulfites are naturally occurring in small amounts during fermentation, many winemakers add them to improve shelf life and prevent spoilage.
Certified Organic WineCertified organic wine goes a step further. In addition to the grapes being organically grown, the entire winemaking process adheres to organic standards. This means:

1. No synthetic additives or preservatives can be used, including added sulfites (in the U.S., organic wine must have less than 10 parts per million of naturally occurring sulfites).
2. All ingredients, including yeast and fining agents, must be organic.
3. The wine must be produced in a certified organic facility.

In some regions (like Europe), organic wine may still allow the use of a small amount of sulfites, but it’s strictly regulated. In contrast, certified organic wine in the U.S. (as defined by the USDA) cannot contain any added sulfites, making it different from wine simply made from organic grapes.
To summarize:

• Wine from organic grapes: Organic farming, but may still include additives like sulfites.
• Certified organic wine: Entire winemaking process is organic, and in the U.S., no added sulfites are allowed.