Similar to many subsectors in the food and beverage industry, wine production is experiencing a transition as consumers are more aware of the consequences of their choices. It is organic wine brands that is at the forefront of this movement and are therefore determining the course of future wine production that is more sustainable, less invasive, and more beneficial to our health.
These organic wine producers are not just providing consumers with an option that is ‘better’ than conventionally produced wines, they are presenting the wine industry with a new way of doing things, with solutions to global warming, the loss of biodiversity, and the promotion of health.
In this article, we will look at how organic wine brands are making a positive change what some of the main changes are – both in terms of environmental and health consciousness – and some of the brands leading the charge.
The Rise of Organic Wines
Organic wine manufacture is a process that is regulated by specific rules that are regional but common standards do not include the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers, encouragement of soil health, and utilization of environmentally friendly practices when producing the wine. This approach to viticulture has risen in popularity over the last two decades as buyers have become sensitive to things like sustainability, pesticide usage, and the overall impact that food and beverages have on the environment.
In many ways, therefore, organic wine is a move in the right direction, in terms of more sustainable and accountable farming. Organic viticulture is the kind that winegrowers prefer that is integrated into the natural environment and does not try to suppress the latter. This is in contrast to conventional viticulture where high dependence on chemicals is used to guard the crops against pests and diseases. The shift to organic farming is also driven by increasing awareness of the toxicity of these chemicals to human health, the farmers applying them, their families, and the environment.
The desire for organic wine has been noted to be rising in wine-consuming markets across the world. Some new research suggests that the market for organic wine is on the rise, and many wine producers are changing their ways and going organic. The demand for organic wine in the U.S. market has grown even higher and rose by 10% between the year 2019 and 2020. This growth is due to the increased concern of a new generation of wine consumers with their health, the environment, and their willingness to spend extra on organic wines.
The Advantages of Organic Wines for the Environment
Another big incentive for consumers to buy organic wine brands is the effect of the wine-making process on the environment. Organic winegrowers aim at maintaining balanced ecosystems in their vineyards, this reduces harm to land, air, and water. Since the preparation of organic wine does not involve the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, the production of the wine contributes to the conservation of water resources through the prevention of water pollution and harm to wildlife.
Another important factor of organic wine production is the quality of the soil used in growing the grapes. Organic practices incorporate the practice of crop rotation, cover cropping, and composting to improve the quality of the soil and minimize soil erosion.
These methods do not only enhance the health of the soil but also enhance the capacity of the soil to absorb carbon; hence organic vineyards are likely to be influential in combating climate change. To that, some organic wine estates take it to another level by practicing regenerative agriculture, which involves rebuilding the soils’ health, boosting the biological densities, and encouraging carbon sequestration.
Most of the organic wine brands also have cut down their emission of carbon through efficient energy and eco-friendly packaging. Some of them are using renewable energy sources to produce energy needed for their operations, others are trying to reduce transport emissions by using grapes produced nearby or using eco-friendly transport means. Another aspect of branding that is being developed in organic wine is the packaging; they are using lighter glass bottles, recyclable material, and biodegradable corks to minimize waste.
Healthier Wine for Consumers
Even though the environmental advantages of organic wine are obvious, many customers prefer to purchase organic wine because it is healthier. Due to the natural approach of the organic wines, with no synthetic chemicals and preservatives added to them.
The wines contain less or no toxic substances that may be detrimental to human health, for those who are worried about the effects of chemicals in their system. Most traditional wines always come with traces of pesticides, sulfites, and other additional substances that are unwelcome by most people due to allergies and sensitization. Conventional wines, however, are produced using small or no preservatives thus offering the consumer a more natural wine.
Also, the taste of organic wines is considered to be closer to the taste of wines that are produced in compliance with the norms of ‘terroir’. Since organic viticulture directly concerns itself with soil, plant, and pest diversity, and minimal human interference, organic wines can best represent the terroir or the set of factors that characterizes the vineyard site. For many wine lovers, this leads to a high-quality taste that allows them to feel the ground and the idea of the winemaker.
Sustainability in the Vineyard and Beyond
There are also other minor aspects of sustainability in which organic wine brands support not only the wine production process but also other products and processes. More and more wineries have been adopting the concept of sustainability by embracing sustainable practices in the wine production chain right from grape growing to packaging and distribution. This often includes:
Conclusion
It is more than just a trend, more of a revolution in the way wine is being made bought, and enjoyed. Today, the global environment is under pressure, and people’s need for healthy products is growing, so organic wines are among the pioneers in the new industry. These brands provide a superior product in terms of wine and a superior future for the environment and people who live on this planet by focusing on sustainability and consumer health.
