Organic wine, biodynamic wine and natural wine: What are the differences?

During Covid-19, consumers have been dramatically influenced, with 60% of consumers reporting that they make more environmentally friendly purchases since the start of the pandemic. It is also true when they choose a bottle of wine. Terms like organic, biodynamic and nature are becoming more and more looked-for on wine labels. On a global scale, in 2020, exports of organic products increased by 7.5% compared to 2019. In 2020 organic wines represent more than 50% of the overall organic products export turnover (887M euros).

IWSR forecasts global sales of organic wine to reach 1 billion bottles by 2022, nearly three times the 349 million bottles sold in 2012.

We can see obviously a global trend. But what does these terms actually mean?

Organic wine is made from grapes grown without the use of any synthetic pesticides:

–  No GMO’s,

–  Use only organic additives, such as organic yeast, organic tannins.

Biodynamic winemakers think of the vineyard as an entire ecosystem and farm in harmony with lunar, solar and cosmic rhythms. Like organic wines, biodynamic wines are created without the use of any man-made chemicals. However, this process goes beyond the organic sphere by eliminating any additives from growth to fermentation. Biodynamic winemakers begin by treating the earth with nine preparations made from fermented herbs, minerals, cow manure and horns that are incorporated into compost and field sprays. These preparations are believed to create bacteria and fungi to stimulate the soil for plant growth and vitality.

Nature wine doesn’t have a recognized definition nor official specification. However, some organizations such as the Association des Vins Naturels bring together dozens of vine growers and defined the rules and obligations that natural wines must comply with:

–  Organic or biodynamic cultivation;

–  Use of yeasts naturally present in grapes;

–  No input during the vinification, except for a touch of sulfite.

PWS represents more and more organic & biodynamic growers, including some natural wines, since 2018. The trends and needs are obvious and increasing in term of export.

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