GreeniacsGuides Food and Beverage Drink Organic Wine and Beer
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Written by William Klein
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| Tuesday, 01 May 2012 | ||||
Beer and Wine and ground water seepage. The synthetic chemicals are also harmful to human health. In the same vein, the organic production of beer also reduces the amount of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides introduced into the soil and atmosphere in the cultivation of grains and hops. So, opting for wines made from organically grown grapes, grains, and hops is beneficial for both the environment and for your health! Salud! BENEFITS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: 
of the vineyard. Organic viticulture takes sustainability one step further: in addition to using organic grapes, the entire winemaking process is completed without the use of chemical and non-organic additives. This guide focuses on organic wine because it has a much greater share of the marketplace then organic beer does at the moment. BENEFITS FOR YOUR HEALTH: In a recent study comparing organic red wines to conventional red wines, organic wines were found to have the highest amounts of the antioxidant resveratrol. This compound has been linked to the decreased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with the moderate consumption of red wine. Cost: Varies, most likely moderate. Just like non-organic wines, the prices of organic wines vary considerably. They are generally more expensive than your cheapest alternative because they have a shorter shelf-life and require more care to grow the grapes. But you can always find a good value organic wine, and they will definitely be less expensive than all those longstanding expensive vintages ☺ Your locally brewed beer should also be less expensive than many of your imported favorites! Time and Effort: Low While certified organic wines are typically labeled as such and easy to spot, wines made with organically grown grapes may be a little harder to find. Because of the shortcomings of wines initially labeled as organic, many wineries are hesitant to put the term on their bottles. The Wine-Making Process: There are two processes relevant for organic certification- the grape growing and the bottling process. Grape Growing 
Processing Numerous factors affect the resource stream during processing, from yeast choices to the storage conditions. When it comes to organic certification, sulfites stand out as the biggest concern. Sulfites occur naturally during the fermentation process as a byproduct from the yeast’s activity. However, many vintners add synthetic sulfites to preserve the bottle longer than just the couple of years typical of organic wines. This isn’t to forget about the winemaking facilities or packaging, but rather to focus on the contents of the wine. In fact, boxed wine may be the most eco-friendly. Slap the bag anybody?? USDA Organic Certification 100% Organic: To be certified as 100% organic, the wine must be made with 100% organic ingredients, have an ingredient statement on the label that identifies organic ingredients, and specify the certification agency. In addition to this, 100% organic wines may not contain any added sulfites and the concentration of any naturally occurring sulfites may not exceed 100 parts per million. It is rare to find wine in this category because sulfites are often added to wine in order to maintain stability and extend shelf life. Organic: Organic wines must be made with a minimum of 95% organic ingredients, have an ingredient statement on the label that identifies organic ingredients, and specify the certification agency. Non-organic ingredients may only be used when no organic alternative is available. Organic wines may not be treated with sulfites and those naturally occurring may not exceed 100 parts per million. These wines are also rare due to the regulation of added sulfites. Made with Organically Grown Ingredients: Wines given this distinction must use a minimum of 70% organically grown ingredients, have an ingredient statement on the label that identifies organic ingredients, and specify the certification agency. The addition of sulfites is allowed but the total concentration may not exceed 100 parts per million. These wines can also be labeled as, ‘Made with Organically Grown Grapes' or ‘Made with Organic Grapes'. Note: There are wines on the market that are made from organic grapes but may lack the organic distinction. Some winemakers refuse to provide ingredient labels while others continue to add sulfites beyond what may be labeled “organic.” Some Options for Finding Organic Wines: Lolonis Winery Frey Vineyards Coates Vineyards You are also certain to find a good selection of organic wines at markets such as Whole Foods. European Union Organic Certification As of February 2012, organic wine growers will be permitted to use the term “organic wine” on their labels beginning with the 2012 harvest. The new regulations focus primarily on the production side, as standards already exist for growing organic grapes. Organic wines will not be allowed to have sorbic acid and desulfurication. Additionally, sulphites must be at least 30-50 mg lower than their conventional peers. The grape growing process already had organic certifications available, but French grape growers also will often follow these two philosophies: Natural Wine: The production of natural wines shy away from the use of chemicals and other additives. Grapes are handpicked, left to ferment naturally, and bottled without added sugars or sulfur. Natural wines cannot be mass-produced, and importing them can be expensive because they must be shipped refrigerated in order to maintain temperatures under 14°C. Most of these wines are not labeled “natural,” so the only way to truly know if your wine is natural is to visit the vineyard. La Lutte Raisonée (‘The Reasoned Struggle”): Grapes grown in this manner by French winemakers stress organic methods of cultivation but are not regulated and need not to conform to any restrictions. The ladybug mark on their wine bottles, symbolizing the drive to implement more sustainable and eco-friendly cultivation methods, serves to designate wines produced from La Lutte Raisonée theology. The choice to omit or minimize sulfites and chemical additives is left up to each vineyard. Where to find:  Biodynamic Wines The biodynamic farming process is similar to the organic farming process in that the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers is prohibited. Biodynamic farming takes this a step further, and can primarily be thought of as growing the soil (as opposed to growing plants). Growing the soil allows the soil to naturally grow the plants without the need for extra nutrients. All materials used in a biodynamic farm are generated from within the farm. Planting, fertilizing, pruning, and harvesting times are dictated by lunar phases and the wines produced from this method are said to be truly representative of their origin. The main certifying body for biodynamic wines is the Demeter Association and is internationally recognized. Finding the Right Wine Taste, taste, taste, and taste some more! In order to find an organic wine fit for your palate, you will need to do some tasting. Go to your local wine bar and try the organic wines they have in stock. With any luck the staff will be knowledgeable enough to direct you to the wines that are organic but aren't labeled. Whole Foods Market stores also carry a varied selection of organic wines. To become more familiar with organic wine labels before you head to the market, you may want to browse theses sites: Organic Wine Journal The Organic Wine Company Appellation Wine and Spirits (Based in New York City) Not a wine aficionado? Take a look at these sustainable beers to enjoy! Organic Beer The organic production of beer reduces the amount of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides introduced into the soil and atmosphere in the cultivation of grains and hops. Here are a few organic brews to peruse: Eel River Brewing Company: Located in California's Humboldt County, The Eel River brewing Company was the first brewery to be certified organic. Only available in a handful of states, most of which are on the west coast, you may have to stop by and check out their taproom and grill the next time you are in the area to enjoy a brew or two. Butte Creek Brewing Co: They brew both organic and non-organic beers so look at the label before you buy. It's not available in all states, but they are generally available in the western states as they are based in Chico, California. Microbreweries are also another good option. For the most part these brews are intended for local consumption, which means that less fossil fuel is used in their distribution. Realbeer.com has a locator you can use to find a microbrewery near you.  Browse all Greeniacs Guides
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1 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09571260410001678030 2 http://www.ecowine.com/sulfites.htm 3 http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/tetrapak-boxed-malbec-44042308 4 http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/organic-wines-biodynamic-wine 5 http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=3f34f4c22f9aa8e6d9864 cc2683cea02&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title07/7cfr205_main_02.tpl 6 http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=3f34f4c22f9aa8e6d9864 cc2683cea02&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title07/7cfr205_main_02.tpl 7 Id. 8 http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/departments/wine.php 9 http://www.inra.fr/opie-insectes/luttebio.htm 10 http://www.demeter-usa.org/
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Green Facts
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American workers spend an average of 47 hours per year commuting through rush hour traffic. This adds up to 23 billion gallons of gas wasted in traffic each year.
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One recycled aluminum can will save enough energy to run a 100-watt bulb for 20 hours, a computer for 3 hours, or a TV for 2 hours.
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You’ll save two pounds of carbon for every 20 glass bottles that you recycle.
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Turning off the tap when brushing your teeth can save as much as 10 gallons a day per person.
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Plastic bags and other plastic garbage thrown into the ocean kill as many as 1,000,000 sea creatures every year.
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Shaving 10 miles off of your weekly driving pattern can eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year.
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A single quart of motor oil, if disposed of improperly, can contaminate up to 2,000,000 gallons of fresh water.
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States with bottle deposit laws have 35-40% less litter by volume.
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In the United States, automobiles produce over 20 percent of total carbon emissions. Walk or bike and you'll save one pound of carbon for every mile you travel.
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In California homes, about 10% of energy usage is related to TVs, DVRs, cable and satellite boxes, and DVD players.
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Recycling for one year at Stanford University saved the equivalent of 33,913 trees and the need for 636 tons of iron ore, coal, and limestone.
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Rainforests are being cut down at the rate of 100 acres per minute.
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Americans use 100 million tin and steel cans every day.
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Washing your clothes in cold or warm instead of hot water saves 500 pounds of carbon dioxide a year, and drying your clothes on a clothesline six months out of the year would save another 700 pounds.
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Glass can be recycled over and over again without ever wearing down.
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Refrigerators built in 1975 used 4 times more energy than current models.
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An aluminum can that is thrown away instead of recycled will still be a can 500 years from now!
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For every 38,000 bills consumers pay online instead of by mail, 5,058 pounds of greenhouse gases are avoided and two tons of trees are preserved.
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A tree that provides a home with shade from the sun can reduce the energy required to run the air conditioner and save an additional 200 to 2,000 pounds of carbon over its lifetime.
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You will save 300 pounds of carbon dioxide for every 10,000 miles you drive if you always keep your car’s tires fully inflated.
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A steel mill using recycled scrap reduces related water pollution, air pollution, and mining wastes by about 70%.
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Recycling 1 million laptop computers can save the amount of energy used by 3,657 homes in the U.S. over the course of a year.
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Americans throw away more than 120 million cell phones each year, which contribute 60,000 tons of waste to landfills annually.
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You will save 100 pounds of carbon for each incandescent bulb that you replace with a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL), over the life of the bulb.
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Current sea ice levels are at least 47% lower than they were in 1979.
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Bamboo absorbs 35% more carbon dioxide than equivalent stands of trees.
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82 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. come from burning fossil fuels.
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The World Health Organization estimates that 2 million people die prematurely worldwide every year due to air pollution.
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Less than 1% of electricity in the United States is generated from solar power.
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If every U.S. household turned the thermostat down by 10 degrees for seven hours each night during the cold months, and seven hours each weekday, it would prevent nearly gas emissions.
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Every week about 20 species of plants and animals become extinct.
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A laptop consumes five times less electricity than a desktop computer.
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77% of people who commute to work by car drive alone.
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Nudge your thermostat up two degrees in the summer and down two degrees in the winter to prevent 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
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It takes 6,000,000 trees to make 1 year's worth of tissues for the world.
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Recycling aluminum saves 95% of the energy used to make the material from scratch.
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Due to tiger poaching, habitat destruction, and other human-tiger conflicts, tigers now number around 3,200—a decrease in population by about 70% from 100 years ago.
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Recycling 100 million cell phones can save enough energy to power 18,500 homes in the U.S. for a year.
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Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild our entire commercial fleet of airplanes every 3 months
