October 2008 - Vintage Charts
Organic Wine, Beer And Spirits
In the UK and USA, producers are increasingly making wines labeled organic or produced from organically grown grapes. The meaning and legal force of these terms can vary significantly from one country to another.
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 Beers and 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 are now available in a number of pubs and supermarkets and tend to use organic hops.
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.
About the Author:
Davinos Greeno works for the organic directory This green directory lists 100s of Organic Food and Drink Companies and Eco Jobs and Campaigning Videos
A Short Vintage Charts Summary
Organic Wine, Beer And Spirits
In the UK and USA, producers are increasingly making wines labeled organic or produced from organically grown grapes. The meaning and legal force of t...
Click Here to Read More About Wine ...
Recommended Vintage Charts Items
Wine Enthusiast Symphony Stemware Cabernet/Merlot Wine Glasses (set of 4)
These beautiful lead-free crystal glasses are designed and shaped to enhance the best characteristics of every wine. Symphony Stemware will deliver pleasure and enjoyment like no other glass and with Smart Stems Innovation you’ll always know which is the correct glass to use. Cabernet/Merlot 9 1/4”H 18 oz.
Price: 59.95 USD
Headlines on Vintage Charts
Sell Beer, make money, and watch the game
Sun, 09 Oct 05 23:03:31 -0700
Whats it like to be a beer vendor at sporting events, find out here, could possible insight a change in occupation. I would love season tickets and basket full of beer.
PALM Cellars Zin- has this happened to you?
Fri, 17 Oct 08 12:02:28 -0700
Has anyone else tried this wine? PALM Cellars Zinfandel 2004 (Karen’s). I think it’s $30/bottle. Tried it tonight with some pesto chicken and broccoli. Thought a strong zin would be a good match for the pesto. Anyway, PALM definitely has a strong nose. We decanted it, I thought it was very syrupy and had an alcohol taste to it. So we decided to put it through the Vinturi. It helped. Kinda lessoned the strong raisin like taste. Lift the bottle to the light and there is residue coating t
California: Planet of the grapes (The New Zealand Herald)
Thu, 16 Oct 08 09:21:38 -0700
"You should write about Sonoma," suggested the editor. "Where?" "You know, that upstate Californian wine region, next to Napa Valley?"
Napa Frost Chills Wine Forecast (Beverage World)
Thu, 16 Oct 08 08:24:50 -0700
Napa, Calif.: Bob Milat has been in the wine business in one way or another for about 50 years. Never does he remember an autumn quite as bad as this one.
Drinking with the seasons
Thu, 16 Oct 08 03:46:59 -0700
I’ve decided to try drinking with the seasons. I used to pay zero attention to seasons either in my cooking (tossing a giant, expensive, and tasteless salad in the dead of winter) or in my wine-drinking (tossing back a Rose along with the salad in said dead of winter). Now I make hearty, bone-warming dishes in winter, lots of greens in spring for detox, fresh fresh fresh food in summer, and ease into soup in the fall to stave off the chill of going from 90 to 60 degrees. It’s only natural to
Wine Enthusiast
Ice Wine
Wine Guide | Wine History
Labels: Petite Syrah | Pinot Grigio
