Organics
Why organic? – a move in the right direction…
The organic market has been growing from strength to strength and Britain is now the home to Europe’s largest organic fruit market. But why choose organic and more importantly, why choose organic wine? Here are some good reasons:
Quality – The theory goes that by nurturing the soil and the vineyard ecosystem the vines and the vineyard become stronger and are less reliant on chemicals for protection. From a healthier soil and a healthier vine comes better quality fruit, which in turn makes a better quality wine. Unfortunately, in practice it is still possible for a very average/low quality [organic] wine to be produced (and we at Festival Wines have tasted our fair share) but you will never see any of these amongst our stock!
Environment - The majority of non-organic wines rely heavily on industrialized farming, chemical fertilizers and pesticides that are damaging to the environment. Organic practices maintain and improve biodiversity and soil structure.
Health – It has often been said that organic wines put an end to all hangovers because it lacks artificial and synthetic additives. However, this is not strictly true. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) or E220 as it is known is the major cause of headaches or hangovers after wine consumption because it acts as a toxin. Under EU Organic winemaking guidelines just two thirds of the usual amount of SO2 may be added to the wine which can reduce the chances of a hangover. But of course, if you drink a bottle (or two!) you may feel the effect the next morning anyway!
Your Voice – Arguments have been raised that the rise of the giant supermarket has led to the decline of local, quality produce and the rise of a homogenized food market. We have seen 500 acre vineyards maintained by chemicals and machinery producing wines of little distinction. These are the wines that have started to dominate the U.K. market. The majority of organic wine producers (as with most organically produced goods) are small, local concerns. By supporting ethically produced wines you are adding your voice to thousands of people who want beautiful, natural wines made the right way.
Is Organic enough?
Any organic grower worth his salt uses these on a minimal, reasoned bases but current legislation does not limit how much can be used.
In addition, because producing organically can be financially advantageous many producers have jumped onto the bandwagon but certification is never a guarantee of conscientiousness or quality. The sad truth is there are some of producers out there making very average organic wine.
Understandably this can all be very confusing for the consumer. At Festival Wines we advise you only buy wines from producers who are dedicated to quality and ecologically sustainable practices. The producers we work with believe that nature should not be interfered with and that wine should be allowed to speak of the soil it came from. We believe that wines should be made with the least possible intervention of chemical or machine. The happiest sound a vine can hear is approach of the vine grower's feet.....not a sprayer!
Certification
The majority of the wines we sell at Festival wines have full certification either for Organics or Biodynamics. However, a few of the producers we support do not want certification (these are clearly labeled in our selection). We still support them because we believe that they are growing wine in the right way and they have their own good reasons for not wanting certification (wine growers can be a passionate lot!):
i). Some producers believe that wine should be judged on it’s quality alone, not because it is organic.
ii). On the same vein (or vine) some growers dislike the Organic stamp because they believe the standards are too low and would associate their wines with a movement that allows some members to be much less organic.
iii). Getting certification costs money. The fees for applying for certification are expensive and some small producers cannot afford it or would rather invest that money into doing what they believe in – producing good quality wine!
Organics and Biodynamics at Festival Wines
Ben Walgate
Festival Wines
Appendix
EU Organic Legislation
Basically Organic viticulture (grape growing to you and I) aims to use the minimum amount of synthetic chemicals. By nurturing the soil, vine and vineyard ecosystem the vines become stronger and less dependant on such chemicals. Chemical pesticides and fertilisers are not permitted; natural alternatives are used such as manure for the soil and natural sprays or tisanes for the vines. Copper sulphate and Sulphur can be used to prevent fungal infection, but any Organic grower worth his salt uses these on a reasoned basis. The rules governing grape growing are covered by EU legislation, in addition to regional certification bodies.
The rules governing Oenology (or winemaking) are set out by the Organic certification bodies. One such rule is that only two thirds of the normal permitted amount of sulphur dioxide may be added to the wine all other chemical additives are banned. There are also controls over the use of fining agents see vegan pages and physical handling of the wine is kept to minimum.
Sulphur
Sulphur Dioxide or E220 as it is so alarmingly and anonymously titled on so many a food packet is permitted under all winemaking standards. It is a preservative and disinfectant. It is added to wine as Potassium Metabisuphate or PMS and has been blamed for being one of the major causes of hangovers and headaches following wine consumption. Some people have lower thresholds than others, and if you’re the former then Organic wine is definitely recommended as the governing bodies permit just two thirds of the amount (although the norm is well within this). The best producers try to use much, much less than this: the type of producers we represent. For information on our low sulphur wines please contact us.
Announcement: From November 2005 all wine labels must declare, ‘This wine contains Sulphites’. It is sad that they do not have to specify how much because the Organic ones as mentioned above, contain less.
Why organic? – a move in the right direction…
The organic market has been growing from strength to strength and Britain is now the home to Europe’s largest organic fruit market. But why choose organic and more importantly, why choose organic wine? Here are some good reasons:
Quality – The theory goes that by nurturing the soil and the vineyard ecosystem the vines and the vineyard become stronger and are less reliant on chemicals for protection. From a healthier soil and a healthier vine comes better quality fruit, which in turn makes a better quality wine. Unfortunately, in practice it is still possible for a very average/low quality [organic] wine to be produced (and we at Festival Wines have tasted our fair share) but you will never see any of these amongst our stock!
Environment - The majority of non-organic wines rely heavily on industrialized farming, chemical fertilizers and pesticides that are damaging to the environment. Organic practices maintain and improve biodiversity and soil structure.
Health – It has often been said that organic wines put an end to all hangovers because it lacks artificial and synthetic additives. However, this is not strictly true. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) or E220 as it is known is the major cause of headaches or hangovers after wine consumption because it acts as a toxin. Under EU Organic winemaking guidelines just two thirds of the usual amount of SO2 may be added to the wine which can reduce the chances of a hangover. But of course, if you drink a bottle (or two!) you may feel the effect the next morning anyway!
Your Voice – Arguments have been raised that the rise of the giant supermarket has led to the decline of local, quality produce and the rise of a homogenized food market. We have seen 500 acre vineyards maintained by chemicals and machinery producing wines of little distinction. These are the wines that have started to dominate the U.K. market. The majority of organic wine producers (as with most organically produced goods) are small, local concerns. By supporting ethically produced wines you are adding your voice to thousands of people who want beautiful, natural wines made the right way.
Is Organic enough?
Any organic grower worth his salt uses these on a minimal, reasoned bases but current legislation does not limit how much can be used.
In addition, because producing organically can be financially advantageous many producers have jumped onto the bandwagon but certification is never a guarantee of conscientiousness or quality. The sad truth is there are some of producers out there making very average organic wine.
Understandably this can all be very confusing for the consumer. At Festival Wines we advise you only buy wines from producers who are dedicated to quality and ecologically sustainable practices. The producers we work with believe that nature should not be interfered with and that wine should be allowed to speak of the soil it came from. We believe that wines should be made with the least possible intervention of chemical or machine. The happiest sound a vine can hear is approach of the vine grower's feet.....not a sprayer!
Certification
The majority of the wines we sell at Festival wines have full certification either for Organics or Biodynamics. However, a few of the producers we support do not want certification (these are clearly labeled in our selection). We still support them because we believe that they are growing wine in the right way and they have their own good reasons for not wanting certification (wine growers can be a passionate lot!):
i). Some producers believe that wine should be judged on it’s quality alone, not because it is organic.
ii). On the same vein (or vine) some growers dislike the Organic stamp because they believe the standards are too low and would associate their wines with a movement that allows some members to be much less organic.
iii). Getting certification costs money. The fees for applying for certification are expensive and some small producers cannot afford it or would rather invest that money into doing what they believe in – producing good quality wine!
Organics and Biodynamics at Festival Wines
Ben Walgate
Festival Wines
Appendix
EU Organic Legislation
Basically Organic viticulture (grape growing to you and I) aims to use the minimum amount of synthetic chemicals. By nurturing the soil, vine and vineyard ecosystem the vines become stronger and less dependant on such chemicals. Chemical pesticides and fertilisers are not permitted; natural alternatives are used such as manure for the soil and natural sprays or tisanes for the vines. Copper sulphate and Sulphur can be used to prevent fungal infection, but any Organic grower worth his salt uses these on a reasoned basis. The rules governing grape growing are covered by EU legislation, in addition to regional certification bodies.
The rules governing Oenology (or winemaking) are set out by the Organic certification bodies. One such rule is that only two thirds of the normal permitted amount of sulphur dioxide may be added to the wine all other chemical additives are banned. There are also controls over the use of fining agents see vegan pages and physical handling of the wine is kept to minimum.
Sulphur
Sulphur Dioxide or E220 as it is so alarmingly and anonymously titled on so many a food packet is permitted under all winemaking standards. It is a preservative and disinfectant. It is added to wine as Potassium Metabisuphate or PMS and has been blamed for being one of the major causes of hangovers and headaches following wine consumption. Some people have lower thresholds than others, and if you’re the former then Organic wine is definitely recommended as the governing bodies permit just two thirds of the amount (although the norm is well within this). The best producers try to use much, much less than this: the type of producers we represent. For information on our low sulphur wines please contact us.
Announcement: From November 2005 all wine labels must declare, ‘This wine contains Sulphites’. It is sad that they do not have to specify how much because the Organic ones as mentioned above, contain less.