Organic wines are territorial expressions produced in compliance with European legislation that prescribes the use of only organically grown grapes, with restrictions on the use of sulphites and enological products during vinification. In order to comply with these requirements and thus be able to display the famous green logo on the label with the leaf formed by 12 stars that certifies organic production, producers may not use synthetic chemical products or genetically modified organisms in the vineyard and, in the cellar, may only use certified enological products, limiting the use of sulphites . Various certifying bodies have the task of ensuring that these conditions are respected, thus safeguarding the value of a rapidly growing production that is increasingly qualitative, sustainable, territorial and genuine.
Organic wines are territorial expressions produced in compliance with European legislation that prescribes the use of only organically grown grapes, with restrictions on the use of sulphites and enological products during vinification. In order to comply with these requirements and thus be able to display the famous green logo on the label with the leaf formed by 12 stars that certifies organic production, producers may not use synthetic chemical products or genetically modified organisms in the vineyard and, in the cellar, may only use certified enological products, limiting the use of sulphites . Various certifying bodies have the task of ensuring that these conditions are respected, thus safeguarding the value of a rapidly growing production that is increasingly qualitative, sustainable, territorial and genuine.
The European Regulation number 203/2012, published on 9 March 2012 in the Gazzetta Ufficiale, has imposed the definitive rules for wine production, establishing the requirements valid for the entire European Union. Today, production that complies with this regulation, with certification from authorised control bodies and organisations, can bear on the label the unequivocal symbol of the leaf formed by 12 stars on a green background. The leaf and the green colour represent the green, sustainable and nature-friendly approach that companies have adopted to comply with the regulation, while the 12 stars recall the symbol of the European Union, which drafted the regulation.
First and foremost, it is essential that the raw material, i.e. the grapes suitable for wine-making, are produced in accordance with organic farming methods. This form of cultivation does not allow the use of GMOs or synthetic chemical products such as synthetic fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides and fungicides. It therefore favours the use of organic fertilisers, natural pesticide treatments such as copper and sulphur and all those practices that fall under the concept of 'integrated pest management'. These activities are aimed at combating organisms that are harmful to plants and weeds through the use of other organisms of animal or plant origin. With regard to work in the cellar, the regulation prohibits invasive practices and treatments such as concentration by cooling, dealcoholisation and electrodialysis, while allowing "the use of certain products and substances such as additives and adjuvants under well-defined conditions". These conditions are set out in great detail in the regulation, with the aim of prescribing restrictions to ensure the 'true nature' of organic wine. Of all the restrictions, the limitation on the use of sulphur dioxide is particularly important. It varies according to the wine category and is established taking into account the fact that producers who comply with the proposed requirements "already manage to reduce the sulphur dioxide content". The law has thus established the maximum quantity of sulphites that may be present in wine production marked with the European Union's green logo:
- 100 mg/l for red wines, compared to the 150 mg/l allowed for conventional products
- 150 mg/l for white or rosé wines compared to the 250 mg/l normally allowed
These conditions are valid if the quantity of sugar is less than 2 grams/litre. Otherwise and for all other categories, such as passito, liqueur and sparkling wines, the regulation requires a reduction of at least 30 mg/l. The specificity of all these requirements has made it possible to protect virtuous and sustainable production, safeguarding the work of many talented producers and leading more and more wineries to take the path illustrated above in order to obtain a certification that has become a guarantee of quality for consumers all over the world.
Today, organic wine is a growing phenomenon in terms of both quantity and quality. An increasing number of consumers are looking for the famous green logo with the leaf design on their labels, and the general trend among producers is to comply more and more with the requirements. A new awareness of quality production, respect for eco-sustainable practices and the genuineness of food has encouraged this growth and rewarded the most virtuous producers. The rules laid down by the European Union in 2012 are valid for all wine production in the member states and, therefore, also for Italian wines, which in terms of volume occupy an important role in the EU panorama. In all regions today there are producers who have chosen to comply with these requirements in order to qualify their work and obtain increasingly authentic and territorial expressions. The main characteristics are typicality and territoriality. The obligation to use only natural treatments in the vineyard and the limitation of enological additives in the cellar has in fact led producers to increase their efforts to obtain grapes and musts of ever higher quality, given the impossibility of implementing invasive corrective practices. In this way, the varietal organoleptic profiles of the grapes and the characteristics of the terroir, understood as the union of particular soil, climate and cultural characteristics of a territory, are safeguarded.
Buy organic wine online now at a discounted price on Callmewine and discover the wide selection of organic labels for all occasions. Find characteristics, descriptions and combinations for each type in the detailed product sheets.