zero waste wine

What's that wine label really mean?

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What do All these different organic labels really mean?

There are lots of different labels/seals on wines which claim that they are more sustainable, organic, etc. But it can be challenging to understand what any of them they actually mean. So here's a breakdown.

"organic"

A wine labeled "Organic" by the USDA means it has been handled in accordance with the USDA National Organic Program's standards. This applies to the entire production cycle, from the grape in the field to the final bottled wine.

Here are some of the basic qualifiers:

  • Growers producing must pass a certification inspection every year
  • No synthetic pesticides or chemical herbicides can be used
  • No added sulfites
  • Native yeasts can be used, but are not mandatory
  • No Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
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"Made with Organic Grapes"

The only difference between this category and the one above is that sulfites (less than 100 parts per million), and some processing additives can be used. Some vineyards will choose to certify with a state agency, like the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), instead of the USDA. These will bear the state certifying label, not the "Made With Organic Grapes" label. 

“Ingredients: Organic Grapes”

If a wine is made with some organic grapes, but less than 100%, it is restricted to an ingredient statement, including the product’s percentage of organic contents.  An example would be "70% Organic” or “50% Organic ingredients.”

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"Biodynamic"

The biggest difference between "Biodynamic" and "Organic" is that biodynamic includes more sustainable farming techniques that usually exceed the standards for certified organic. The philosophy behind biodynamic farming, defined by Dr. Rudolf Steiner, involves a deep connection to and respect for the land. Biodynamic farms involve elements of soil fertility management, crop protection, greenhouse management, and animal welfare. Biological diversity within the farm landscape is emphasized, and requires that a minimum of ten percent of the total farm acreage be set-aside as a biodiversity preserve.

Here's the breakdown:

  • No synthetic pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, or growth stimulants
  • No GMOs
  • Sulfites may be present only in amounts less than 100 ppm
  • Limited chemical additives are permitted
  • Only native yeasts are used
  • Crop rotation is practiced and biodiversity is respected

Demeter USA is a certification agency that reviews the practices of Biodynamic vineyards using a strict processing standard.

"Sustainable"

Sustainably-produced wine is made with the intention of having as little negative impact on the land as possible. These methods often involve using solar power, have water reclamation systems, and involved recycling programs. However, there is no legal regulation of this label, so they may not be organic or biodynamic in any way. There are some smaller groups, like the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, who promote sustainable grape growing and wine production practices.

"Conventionally-produced"

There's basically no labeling requirement for these, and I wouldn't recommend purchasing anything under this label. Pesticides and herbicides can be used, can be treated with chemicals, and no limit on sulfites (other than the legal 300 ppm limit). 

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That was a lot. Just tell me what to do.

As far as the labels go, I would most highly recommend buying wines with a biodynamic label, its the most ecologically sustainable option, even though its not regulated by a federal agency. Organic is second best, since it has similar regulations on chemicals but doesn't regulate any other farming practices. 

There are other certifications that are great to look for on wine bottles as well, or when researching a winery including: B-Corp, LEED® Gold, LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology), The Carbon Neutral Challenge (CNC), Salmon Safe.


Buy Wine with Natural Corks

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Corks. Some are plastic, some are natural, and sometimes there's just a screw top. I've heard people voice concern over the fate of the trees that produce corks.  For a while I didn't really have an answer, and it nagged at me as well. I have since learned that corks are actually an incredibly sustainable product themselves!

photography by Martin Olsson

photography by Martin Olsson

Where do corks come from?

Corks come from a fantastical tree called a cork oak (quercus suber). It is native to the Mediterranean Basin in southwest Europe and northwest Africa. The harvest of the cork oak is one of the oldest examples of sustainable plant use. These forests are still harvested and cared for by local populations, providing a vital source of income. 

Not only are these trees a form of economic sustainability for the people of the area, they are are incredibly important ecologically. Cork oak landscapes cover nearly 2.7 million hectares of Portugal, Spain, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Tunisia, and France. They also support an incredibly biodiverse and endemic population of wildlife including the critically endangered Iberian lynx, the Iberian imperial eagle, the Barbary deer, and many species of rare birds.

Photography by Peter Burka

Photography by Peter Burka

Ecological Economics 

The cork oak forests are one of the few amazing examples where the economy actually drives conservation. When alternatives for wine stoppers come on the market, they reduce the need (and therefore value) of the cork oak landscapes. This can eventually lead to decline in conservation efforts, conversion of the forests, or eventually abandonment of them all together. If this were to occur it could result in increased local poverty, loss of biodiversity, and potentially loss of the landscape type all together.

So if you care about this amazing ecotone and all its natural wonders, buy wines that use real cork! No synthetic corks, no screw tops, none of that nonsense! 

"But Alli, how can I keep track of what wines have real corks? You don't even know until you've already bough them!"

Luckily the tech world has solved this problem for us! Corkwatch is a database of wines with natural corks curated "by wine lovers for wine lovers." It's pretty extensive and super easy to use! 

So on your hunt for sustainable and delicious wine, keep the cork oak in business and buy natural!

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