The Process of
Crafting Organic
Wine Vs. Non-Organic
Perhaps the most important way of influencing the taste of any given wine is through its grapes.
Most winegrowers and wine enthusiasts agree that the grapes used to craft a wine will be the defining element of its taste. This is why wineries are located very close to, or on the premises of, the vineyard where it sources its grapes. Grapevines themselves cannot be grown in all climates, as they need consistent rain and stable temperatures.
However, delicate changes to the climate in which a grapevine is grown can subtly change the taste of a wine. This is why wine enthusiasts often use the phrases warm climate wines or cool climate wines to distinguish between different styles of wine. But the most powerful way of influencing a vineyard is through its agricultural practices. This is why organic wines and non-organic wines often differ so much in taste.
Organic Wines
Although growing grapes with organic practices often influences the taste of the resulting wine, it is important to note that the primary purpose of using organic practices is to make vineyards more ecologically friendly. To achieve this, farmers often reduce or eliminate their use of unsustainable or unnatural farming practices. Organic farms often do not use GMO crops, as they may negatively influence the environment by encouraging ecologically-unfriendly traits among wildlife.
For example, GMOs that are resistant to certain herbicides may encourage an over-dependence on these substances and contribute to the development of herbicide-resistant weeds. Additionally, the run-off of these synthetic chemicals may leach into the natural environment and disrupt it. This is why organic farms do not use GMO crops or synthetic substances such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers. Organic farms also try to reduce their dependence on unsustainable practices such as irrigation in regions that suffer from water shortages or droughts.
So, what farming practices do organic farms use? Instead of depending on GMO crops or synthetic substances, organic farms use natural alternatives. For example, instead of a harsh synthetic pesticide, an organic farm may utilize a natural pest deterrent, such as eucalyptus oil.
To help their plants grow without synthetic fertilizers, organic farms often use more nutrient-dense and richer soils. This often results in soils that are thicker, more voluminous, and more complex. This nutrient-rich soil is more dynamic; therefore, the grapes that grow from it are more complex.
The soil is also more able to retain water, reducing the need for things like additional irrigation. In terms of crafting the wine itself, organic wines are often created with minimal intervention from additives and artificial chemicals. For organic wines, this typically means they do not include added sulfites, which are often used to improve the stability of a given wine and lengthen its longevity.
Taste of Organic Wines
All of these organic practices, while working to make vineyards more sustainable, also influence the taste of the resulting wine. Due to a change in their molecular makeup and composition, GMO plants often taste different from their non-GMO counterparts, although this difference is difficult to pin down. However, a much more prominent influence can be found in the soil composition of crops. Grapes grown on organic farms are often richer in nutrients, with a fuller and more robust taste.
Many wine enthusiasts remark on the more earthy and fruitier flavors found in organic wine. Part of this effect comes from a boost of nutrients organic grapes receive from their nutrient-dense soils. Organic wines have been found to contain more nutrients, such as antioxidants. By reducing the additives included in organic wines, the taste of the wine remains clearer, and less obscured by external flavors.
Non-Organic Wines
Unlike their organic counterparts, non-organic wines are often crafted using whatever means necessary to produce the desired wine. Non-organic vineyards usually use a host of synthetic chemicals to artificially boost the nutrient composition of their soil and get rid of pests and weeds. This thinner soil may not be suitable to hold water, and so they depend on irrigation and more consistent water consumption. During the process of creating the wine itself, additives may be used to enhance the flavor and make the process of crafting the wine easier. Among these additives are sulfites, which influence the flavor of the wine as well.
Crafting Great Wines
While great wines can be crafted using organic or non-organic practices, organic wine undoubtedly offers a clearer vision of traditional wine. Aside from that, organic wine also works to preserve the natural environment. With these factors under consideration, consumers are beginning to drift towards organic wine, raising demands and boosting the industry.
Actionable Takeaways
Organic wines work to reduce their ecological impact, making them desirable to environmentally conscious consumers.
Although they focus on their environmental impact, organic wines inadvertently create a more traditional and enhanced flavor.
A growing demand for organic wines, as well as their enhanced quality and efficiency, may mean that more winegrowers adopt organic practices.