Organic farming is an agricultural mechanism that cultivates products without chemicals, while minimizing the impact of agriculture on the environment. Read on to learn about a newly popular product, organic wine, and its respective consumer benefits.
“Wine makes everyday life easier, less rushed, with less tension and more tolerance. –Benjamin Franklin.
Of all the spirits, wine is perhaps the classiest and most elegant. Wine is the perfect complement to most foods, whether for breakfast, lunch or dessert. It can be used in the cooking of certain culinary preparations, to give them a rich taste and smell. Drinking wine has many advantages, but also disadvantages. One type of wine that is all the rage these days and quickly gaining favor with elitists and wine lovers alike is organic wine. In this article, learn more about organic wine and its health benefits.
An introduction to organic wine
The practice of organic farming involves growing crops without the use of artificial aids such as chemical fertilizers and growth additives, as well as chemical means of pest control, such as pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. The complete growth cycle of a plant is natural and takes place as if the plant were growing in the wild. Anything added to help the plant grow should be organic, such as manure used as fertilizer or biodegradable sprays.
If chemicals are used, they are organic products and their use does not harm the environment around them. For example, the use of pesticides on crops leads to the accumulation of toxic elements in crop runoff. This harmful runoff can enter local water bodies and pollute the water. With organic farming, no pesticides means no pollution. In addition, the wine itself is cleared of any residual polluting material.
Organic wine is wine produced from fruits grown according to the principles of organic farming. Whatever fruit is involved, such as grapes, it is grown in a chemical-free environment, using all environmentally friendly farming methods. However, there are two schools of thought when it comes to defining “organic wines”. A point is fixed, namely that the grapes used in the production are grown according to organic standards. He created a separate organization, which deals with organic food and deals with the production of organic wines. The secondary point, and much debated with organic wines, is the addition of preservatives, more particularly sulfur dioxide or sulphates.
Organic wines can be produced according to organic farming standards.
Wine can be made without preservatives, but a certain amount is needed to maintain the shelf life of organic wine. Although rules and opinions differ on the use of preservatives in organic wine, it has 2 main certifications. Wines certified as “organic” must be made from organically grown grapes, a certifying agency must attest to the growing procedures and production process, and no sulfates must be added to the wine.
Biologically derived sulfates are allowed (produced by yeasts during fermentation), but sulfate levels must be below 20 parts per million. The “Made with Organic Grapes” label denotes that the wine contains added sulfates, but the grapes used are organically grown.
Some organic wine producers are:
- Araujo
- Robert Sinskey
- Benziger
- Coturri Winery
- Ceago Vinegarden
- Frog’s Leap
- bonterra
Health Benefits of Organic Wine
Without chemicals
Chemical-free production guarantees a chemical-free product. No pesticides, no fertilizers, no herbicides or fungicides – basically anything that isn’t supposed to be an ingredient, things like that, are missing from organic wines. Which, in the long run, is better for you, the consumer.
Chemicals, if ingested, can build up in your system and slowly but surely break down your body. The wine should be fruity with a rich taste and without chemicals, this is what an organic wine promises.
Sulfur-free property
Certified organic wines do not contain sulfur dioxide or any sulfur-based preservatives. So for those who are allergic to sulfur or sulfur products, this is good news. Traditional wines contain sulfur dioxide to allow the wine to age or be stored. Organic wines only contain organic sulphur, ie in miniscule quantities, around 10 mg per litre. The sulfur dioxide in wine can cause very serious allergic reactions and has been linked to increased chances of having a hangover.
Fewer or no additives
Preservatives, flavorings, chemical food substances, etc. are all absent from true organic wines. So you’re drinking real wine, not 10% wine, 90% artificial additives.
The benefits of wine
Organic wines are ultimately made up of the spirit of the wine, so all the benefits and advantages of drinking wine are applicable, without any risk of consuming chemicals. Thus, benefits such as:
- Reduces the impact of smoking
- Reduces the risk of coronary and heart disease
- Increases HDL (good cholesterol) levels
- Reduces the risk and occurrence of atherosclerosis
are all enjoyed with an eco-friendly product. So grab your wine and be eco-friendly too!
Organic wines help to reduce the ecological footprint that most winemaking and production processes install. However, one point should be kept in mind, too much of the same good thing is not good and the same goes for wine.
For women, 1 glass (5 grams) and for men, 2 glasses is the daily limit of wine consumption. All the benefits of imbibing this noble spirit can be lost through excess.
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