Is Your Wine Green?

Not literally of course, but the focus on the Green or ECO friendly movement is here to stay. Consumers are becoming more aware of what they eat, and organic foods are increasing in our food markets today. People are educating themselves on what is good for them, along with environmental impacts that the word Green denotes. Today, it has become increasingly important for vineyards to adapt and reduce their use of synthetic and chemically-based materials to go Green.

What is “Organically Grown” Wine?
Each wine country has its own regulations controlled by certain agencies to certify it as organic. But the general principles are that organically grown grapes should be grown using sustainable agriculture, which is without the use of chemicals sprays and synthetic fertilizers. Wines made from organically grown grapes can still use sulphur dioxide in the wine making process (up to 100ppm) and still be labeled made from “organic grapes”. The Tax and Trade Bureau does not allow the term “organic wine” to be used on wine labels, but labels can carry phrases such as “grapes organically grown” or “wine organically processed”. A winery wishing to use these phrases must be certified by one of the USDA’s approved organic certifying organizations.

What are Sulfites?
The USDA does allow smalls amounts of sulfites to stabilize the wine before bottling. Sulfite is a naturally occurring compound that nature uses to prevent microbial growth. There is a small percentage of the population that is sensitive to or allergic to sulfites. Many people drink white wine thinking it has less sulfite, and it’s actually just the opposite. Red wines typically have less. Wines with less than 10ppm are not required to use “Contains Sulfites” on the label.

The standard for organic grapes and processing will require a strong dedication by the wineries to revitalize the health of our earth and bodies. Their dedication will also aide in the reduction of pollution of our groundwater supplies. The Organic Wine Alliance is reviewing other areas in the wine making process and France is the leader in this area.

Screw cap vs Cork

Screw Caps vs. Cork – What is Your Choice?
Don't be surprised or disappointed if the next bottle of Sauvignon Blanc or even an expensive bottle of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon you purchase will have a screw top as opposed to cork!
A hot topic in the wine industry, cork vs. screw cap is gaining popularity. Screw caps, or Stelvins, were originally developed in the 1970 to bottle cheaper wines. When you purchase wine today you will start to notice (if you have not already) that you are seeing more and more wine bottles with screw caps. So, why screw caps? The answer is, cork taint or 2.4.6-Trichloranisole (TCA).
Cork taint has become a serious problem. Cork taint can affect wine aroma and flavor. The contamination happens during the cork sterilization process. The culprit, or TCA, is formed when the chlorine used for bleaching reacts with the mold already growing in the cork. The unpleasant phenomenon leaves the wine tasting musty and dull. Humans are incredibly sensitive to the TCA, even in weak dilution.
The problem of tainted corks is on the increase due to the lack of good quality cork to meet the demands for bottled wine. With this, the support for screw caps or synthetic cork alternatives quickly ensued.
One of the champions of screw cap closure was New Zealand back in 2001. Today, you will find a large number of Australian and New Zealand wines under screw cap.
A significant number of highly rated wineries in the United States are taking the plunge Plumpjack has started, bottling 50 percent of their reserve production in screw caps. This 90 dollar bottle by Molly Dooker “Carnival of Love” Shiraz holds the 8th and 9th spot of the Top 100 wines in the world for 2007 and 2008 is under screw cap.
So why haven’t all wineries moved to screw caps? There are still a number of issues on the table of aging wine with a screw cap. The cork offers the ability to let the wine breathe. Most wines purchased today are consumed very shortly after purchase, and aging is not an issue.
So, don’t be afraid to purchase your next bottle of wine thinking you are purchasing a “cheap wine” because it has a screw cap! The cork offers tradition, and the romance of uncorking a nice bottle of wine either at your table in a restaurant or when you entertain is wonderful. But, it’s all about the health of the wine you drink vs. how you get to it!
Until next time,
Cheers!