Organic and Biodynamic Wine

Author: Karen Falbo

Organic and Biodynamic Wine

At Natural Grocers we sell only biodynamic and organic wine for the same reason we sell only organically grown produce—because petroleum-based pesticides are damaging to the environment and to human health. Wine actually contains much more than fermented grape juice, in addition to naturally occurring salts, sugars and acids, there are naturally occurring and added sulfites (as preservatives) and in conventional wines there can be residue from literally hundreds of synthetic chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides). Organic wine producers are prohibited to use any chemicals that have an adverse effect on the environment or on human health as defined by the Food and Drug Administration.¹

Biodynamic Agriculture

Biodynamic farming is less well known, but very similar to organic farming. Founded by Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925), biodynamic farming is a holistic model of agriculture designed to embody triple bottom line approaches (ecological, social and economic sustainability). Through recognizing the interrelationship between soil, plants, livestock, humans and the environment, the farming efforts are intended to enhance each system (from the soil organisms to the natural flora and fauna of the area), while creating self-sufficiency for the farmers and farm workers. Like organics, biodynamic agriculture emphasizes the use of manure and compost and excludes the use of petroleum-based pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. Methods unique to the biodynamic approach include its treatment of animals, crops, and soil as a single system; the use of astronomy for guiding the planting schedule; and the use of various esoteric herbal and mineral preparations for compost additives and field sprays.

What is the difference between organic wine and biodynamic wine?

The U.S government regulates use of the term “organic,” and “biodynamic” farming is certified through Demeter Association, Inc. In order for a farm to refer to itself as Biodyamic, it must have achieved certification through Demeter by adhering to the Demeter Farm Standard for a minimum of three years (if conventionally farmed) or a minimum of one year (if organically farmed). Wines bearing the USDA Organic seal must be made from certified organically grown grapes (grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or additives) and by law must be produced without added sulfites. Biodynamic wines follow similar farming practices to organic, but with the addition of biodynamic farming methods (vineyard is an entire ecosystem, etc.) and without common manipulations such as yeast additions and acidity adjustments using potassium and calcium carbonate (both are allowed in organic wine production²).

Wines labelled as “made with organic grapes” have different requirements than organic wine. With this label, 100% of the grapes used must be certified organic, however, yeast and other agricultural ingredients aren’t required to be organic, but have to be produced without prohibited methods (like genetic engineering).

Sulfites in Wine

Sulfites are naturally found in wine and everyday foods such as canned tuna, jams, gelatin, trail mix, cheese, and deli-style sandwich meats. In everyday foods sulfites can be found in a range from six to 6,000ppm. Sulfites or sulfur dioxide is added to conventionally produced wines as a preservative to prevent browning. In the U.S. wines are permitted to contain up to 350ppm of sulfites. Sulfites may cause allergic reactions—often sulfites are blamed when a person experiences headaches, watery eyes, or a runny nose after drinking wine. Organic and biodynamic wines contain naturally occurring sulfites. The USDA Organic Standards prohibit adding sulfites to certified organic wine, there is a legal threshold limit of 10ppm for naturally occurring sulfites. Legally, if wine tests for above 10ppm sulfites it must have the label claim “Contains Sulfites.” If a wine tests for less than 10ppm sulfites it can legally state “Sulfite Free.” A wine can also make the claim “No Added Sulfites—Containing Naturally Occurring Sulfites.” Wine bottles without the USDA Organic seal that say, “made with organic grapes” must be made with 100% organic grapes and may or may not have added sulfites. Legally sulfites may be added to wines made with 100% organic grapes—up to 100 ppm. Make sure to read the wine label to know exactly what you are getting, according to the law, all organic claims must be stated on the label.

	Organic Wine	Made with Organic Grapes	Biodynamic Wine
Overseen by a certifier	Yes	Yes	Yes
USDA organic seal or foreign equivalent allowed?	Yes	No	No
Organic claims allowed in addition to ingredient statement?	Yes	Yes	Yes
Synthetic pesticides allowed	No	No	No
May contain natural sulfites less than 100ppm	Yes—up to 10ppm	Yes	Yes
Added sulfites allowed?	No, only naturally occurring*	Yes, sulfur dioxide only up to 100ppm. Added sulfites must be disclosed on the label.	Yes, sulfur dioxide only up to 100ppm. Added sulfites must be disclosed on the label.
Non-organic grapes allowed?	No	No	No
Ingredients produced using prohibited methods (such as genetic engineering) allowed?	No	No	No