Organic Wines

Organic, tasty and honest. More and more wine lovers are consciously choosing organic wines.

What exactly are organic wines?

Organic wine is made from grapes grown without synthetic pesticides or artificial fertilizers. Strict rules also apply in the cellar. Think limited use of sulfites and additives. The goal: a wine that’s as pure as possible, with respect for nature, people and animals.

That doesn’t mean the wine is “raw” or “dusty”. Far from it. Organic wines come in all styles, from crisp and fresh to bold and complex. More and more top producers work fully organically. Not because it’s trendy, but because it simply works better for the vineyard.

Organic viticulture: back to basics

It’s all about balance in the vineyard. Healthy soil life is key. By avoiding pesticides, insects and micro-organisms stay alive. They’re crucial for a living soil. The vines also become stronger. They build natural resistance to disease and extreme weather.

Growers use compost, plant herbs between the rows and often let sheep or chickens graze. Weeding is mostly done by hand or mechanically. Labour-intensive? Yes. But it results in grapes with more vibrancy and depth.

Are organic wines healthier?

Opinions vary. Organic doesn’t automatically mean a wine is “healthier” for you. But you do avoid traces of synthetic chemicals. That’s reason enough for many people to make the switch.

Often, less sulfite is added too. Some people are sensitive to sulfites. For them, organic wine might feel better. Note: sulfites also occur naturally during fermentation. So a wine without *any* sulfites is rare, unless stated clearly on the label.

Top organic wine countries

France, Italy and Spain lead the way. Especially in dry regions – like Provence or La Mancha – working organically is more doable. Fewer fungal issues means less need for chemicals.

Germany and Austria are doing well too. And in the New World, organic vineyards are on the rise in Chile, South Africa and California. Climate plays a big role in how easy organic farming is.

How do you recognize an organic wine?

Look for certification on the label. In Europe, it’s the green leaf with stars: the official EU organic logo. You might also see ‘AB’ (Agriculture Biologique) or the Demeter logo for biodynamic wines. Important: not every wine that *looks* “natural” or “sustainable” is officially certified.

Some producers work organically but don’t mention it on the label. Sometimes certification is too expensive, or they want flexibility in difficult vintages. At Grandcruwijnen, we always clearly mention whether a wine is certified organic.

Order organic wines online?

At Grandcruwijnen you’ll find a wide range of organic wines, from classic to uniquely expressive. All bottles are stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse with perfect temperature and humidity.

You can choose delivery or pick-up. If you choose pick-up, you’ll instantly see a nice discount appear at checkout. That means your wine is in your hands faster – and cheaper.

Organic wine from France

All French organic wines. Think Rhône, Loire or Languedoc.

Organic wine from Spain

Perfect for Garnacha or Tempranillo fans. Click here for Spanish organic picks.

Organic wine from Italy

Chianti, Sicily or Puglia? Browse all Italian organic wines here.

Organic wine from Germany

For Riesling or Spätburgunder with a clean, organic edge. Click here.

Organic wine from Austria

Grüner Veltliner and Blaufränkisch from organic pioneers. Check out our Austrian organic selection.