We've all heard these different terms when it comes to the food we eat, makeup we buy, clothing brands, and now it's listed on wine bottles as well! What do these different terms really mean and what's the difference? I can't speak for all industries, but for the wine industry, here's the scoop.
Organic
Organic wine is a wine that uses at least 95% organic grapes and uses no manufactured pesticides or fertilizers in grape growing, including no added sulfites.
The US Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program determines which chemicals are allowed, based on if there is no alternative and it is considered safe. The vineyard must be free of all prohibited materials for at least 3 years before it can be certified organic. Winegrowers have to think of different methods than chemicals to avoid pests, disease, and weeds. They use compost and manure, additional mowing, and introduce natural predators to deal with pests.
Sulfur additions are not allowed in "Organic Wine", but small amounts are allowed to be added to a label saying "Made with Organic Grapes"
"Contains Sulfites"
"Contains Sulfites" is a warning we see on almost every wine bottle. Sulfites are a natural by product of fermentation and every wine has them, even in miniscule amounts. Many winemakers also add sulfites to the wine to help preserve it and prevent oxidation, just like many food growers add sulfites to dried fruit and potato chips for the same reason.
For the most part, the amount of sulfites in wine is an extremely small amount and not harmful at all. There are a small amount of people who are sensitive or allergic to sulfites though, which is why this warning is necessary on the label.
Some wines may have the label "no added sulfites", which means the wine still contains it's natural sulfites, but there was no additional sulfites added.
Biodynamic
Biodynamic viticulture is what I like to think of as the "spiritually organic" wines. It is based on a philosophy by Rudolf Steiner that the universe and ecosystems are interconnected and that people can tap into this universal energy through meditation and mental practice.
Biodynamic growing focuses on the alignment of planets and phases of the moon to direct the work in the vineyard. Their harvests are done on specific "leaf days" or "root days" and they even endow the organic fertilizer with spiritual energy. Pretty cool stuff, right?! These wines are certified by the Demeter International organization.
(The picture above is biodynamic soil created by filling cow horns with cow manure, buried in the ground for 6 months to create a rich compost, believed to bring vitality and new life)
Sustainable
Sustainable viticulture focuses on leaving the land in better condition than you found it, allowing for generations to enjoy the land that is farmed. It doesn't have as strict rules as organic and biodynamic, but instead thinks of the longer term effects on the environment. Greenhouse gas emissions are kept under control and it's conscious of it's water usage.
For example, they might still use infrequent sprays of a mild herbicide rather than a tractor in order to avoid carbon emissions. There are a couple different sustainable certification programs in the U.S. with labels like "Certified Green", "Napa Green", and "Vine Balance".
So for any of you hopping on the organic, sustainable train, now you know what these different labels really mean in the stores!
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