A key point to add at this stage is the difference between organically grown grapes – fruit from vineyards grown without the use of industrial fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides – and wines made without synthetic preservative additives.

Organic Vineyards – Where it all begins!

An organic vineyard is one where grapes are grown without chemical fertilizers, weed killers, insecticides, or other synthetic chemicals. This prevents damage to soil and ensures that no chemicals end up in the wine as residue. Organic farmers aim to maintain healthy, biologically active soil whose fertility is provided by plants that fix nitrogen from the air. In the vineyard it means planting cover crops between the avenues of the vines instead of applying herbicide. Naturally occurring plant or mineral extracts leave no residue in the soil, and weeds are kept down with the use of mechanical and hand hoes. Biodiversity is promoted through the plants, which help regulate the vineyard soil by attracting beneficial insects, spiders and predatory mites.

The Role of Certification and the Organic Market

When a label says organic, it means the wine has met certain standards that are set by a government agency. Different nations have their own certification criteria, so whats organic in one country may not be so in another. In the UK the Soil Association is the most recognized and used certification body.

Many wineries that are technically organic still choose not to be certified. There are many reasons for this. Some do not want the added costs and bureaucracy of registering. Others may disagree with their governments standards. Whatever the case, they are not allowed to use organic on their labels.

There is a national government target for 30 per cent of all UK farmland to be organic or in conversion by 2010, and 20 per cent of the food consumed to be organic by 2010. The UK grocery market was worth $206 billion in 2006 and USA 634.7$ billion. This growth in the organic food market will have a knock on effect on the drinks industry and will meet the ever-growing demand from consumers for organic wine, which is better for drinkers and better for the environment.

Financial Incentives to Companies to turn Organic

In 2005, 39% of the world organic farmland is in Australia and New Zealand. To combat this The European Union (EU) offers financial support to organic farmers as an incentive for farmers to convert to organic production and help the sector grow. These grants provide farmers with assistance during the period of conversion to organic farming which usually takes three years.

Organic spirits

While not so widely available as organic wine, organic spirits are available through specialist suppliers. The production process for organic spirits does not differ widely from conventional production. The main difference lies in the use of organic raw materials. Organic beers tend to use organic hops in production. Organic beer is now available in a number of pubs and supermarkets throughout the UK.

Fancy visiting an organic vineyard?

If you are into Organic wine why not visit Englands Premier organic vineyard. In addition to processing fruit on site, Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard is one of the main tourist attractions in the 1066 Country region in and around Hastings attracting some 5,000 visitors per annum to its Vineyard & Woodland Nature Trail + Wine tasting.

To buy organic wine or to read more organic related articles go to the Organic Directory in GuideMeGreen.com

Visit Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard

The amount of sulfides used is lesser in comparison to traditional wines, which makes it a healthier beverage for consumption. In addition to this, this process also makes use of a bio dynamic environment for growing grapes, by balancing the natural harmony among different elements of the ecosystem.

Most of the organic food that are grown need to adhere to stringent norms and specified criteria to be labeled as organic. The best part about organic wine making process is that they are free from chemicals and use the basic procedure, which makes use of yeast at the time of fermentation, without the addition of artificial flavors. It retains the original flavor of the wine and gives it a distinct taste as compared to traditional wines.

Growing popularity of organic wines

In the recent times, many people prefer to drink healthier wines, which are based on organic wine making methods. It is believed that organic farming techniques have the ability to produce rich and high quality wines with great flavor. The grapes which are grown organically in healthier soils are free from pesticides which results in a good blend of wine. Wild yeast strains are allowed to survive which gives a delicate taste to the wine and offer vital health benefits. The grapes that are used in organic farming methods are specially handpicked and the ripe ones are selected in the process without causing any harm to the grapevine.

There are different kinds of organic wines which are available in the market so one needs to have a thorough knowledge and do a good research before purchasing them. There are some organic wines which are made using 100% organic grapes which do not have any sulphites in them. Besides, there are others which contain about 70% organic grapes and some amount of sulphite is added in them. In this manner, there are many combinations, which are used in organic wine making methods so one needs to be careful while buying these kinds of wines.

Benefits of consuming organic wine

Grapes that contain lot of harmful chemicals can prove hazardous to the health and organic wine making techniques eliminate some of the health risks posed by traditional means of cultivation. Besides, most of the traditional wines contain sulfites which may even result in allergic reactions in some people which can be prevented using organic methods. The percentage of sulfite in organic wines is very less when compared to other wines which makes it a healthier option. Organic wine is definitely a healthier alternative as it tastes better and preserves the original flavor which is required for producing high quality wines.

Try growing grapes organically and use organic wine making method to get some tasty wine.

These days, more and more people are choosing to eat and drink organically. And why not? Organic foods are better for you, and for the environment. Sure, organic products are a little more expensive than their preservative counterparts, but they are doing wonders to your body, both inside and out. And, thus, it is no surprise that many people are choosing to fill up their wine glasses with organic wine. However, there is a big different between organic wines, and wines made from organic grapes. The difference lies in the sulphites.

Organic Wines are wines that are made from organically grown grapes without any added sulphites. However, some ‘organic ‘wines are made from organically grown grapes but still contain up to 100ppm of added sulphites. The problem with total organic wines is that it cannot be labelled organic unless it is 100 percent organic, which means 0 S02 present. Every country is different, but, under the USDA and America’s National Organic Program, this is the way it is. Even with an added 100ppm of sulphite, the product is 99.9 percent organic. However, this is not enough to classify as true organic wines.

So, what does this mean for the organic wine industry and the consumers? Well, it means a lot of confusion. You want to fill your wine glasses up with organic wines but, with the confusion surrounding the term ‘organic’ how can you know that your wine choice is actually organically grown and manufactured? An organic wine, in the United States, must come with a certified United States Department of Agriculture Seal (USDA). They tend to be more expensive than the other labeled wines; however, you can be rest assured that you are doing your body and the environment a favor.

As with all wine, it comes down to taste. If you have an opportunity to sample some organic wines then go for it. In fact, take a trip to your local wine shop and ask questions. I’m sure a tasting will soon follow, you never know, you may find what you have been looking for. Another way to get a sample is to look at the wine list at a restaurant and see if they offer the organic by the glass. If they do, ask for a sample first. Asking for a small sample first if a great way to see if you are going to like something before you spend the money on a full glass or even a bottle.

If picking up a bottle of organic wine as a present, why not pair it off with some of the common wine accessories on the market? For that perfect housewarming present, a nice bottle of red organic wine will go great with a pair of red wine glasses. Or, how about surprising your newlywed friends with his and her corkscrews or wine racks? Cheese boards are a great addition to a bottle of wine for any dinner party. Wine gifts complement perfectly with a bottle of organic wine. Show your truly care about your friend, as well as the environment.



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When you want to buy organic food you have a number of different options open to you. These options will include going to the supermarket and also stopping by roadside organic food stalls where you can buy the fresh produce. Now, while both of these options are quite good there are times when you will need help in finding where you can get your organic foods from and this where an organic directory comes in handy.

This will change form place to place, from region to region, but essentially the organic directory will contain the same basic information. This will normally include such things as the names of organic food producing farms, the different organic foods to be found in these farms, and maybe even how long these farms have been producing organic foods.

The information will necessarily vary from organic directory to organic directory, but the end product will be something that is helpful and easy to use. Now, since there is no one organic directory as such, you will have to be content to rely on the different organic directory services that are offered by the many different organic farming and food producing organizations.

These will for the most part have an organic directory of the various criteria that the organic farmers association or organization has on their books. If you’re interested in getting an organic directory for yourself, you should be able to lay your hands on this by contacting the various organic organizations.

Of course, you might also be able to find an organic directory from the National Organic Program which is the arm of the USDA which oversees everything about organic foods. This august body is also the one that sets the definition of what organic is, as well as giving organic certification to farms and organic processed foods.

You will also find worldwide that the usage of organic foods has spread. This means that there are not only organic farms to think about anymore, but also organic restaurants, organic wine shops and organic health food stores among other things.

With this boom in the culture for everything organic, you will that an organic directory for these things has also sprung up. With one of these in your pocket, or on your laptop or palm pilot, that you will be able to have a fine organic dining experience even when you leave your home. And considering where organic foods were a few years ago, this is a great achievement.



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