Organic and natural wines: why choose them
Whether you are expert wine enthusiasts or simple tasters in search of genuine discoveries, paying attention to sustainability criteria can help you identify a product that is more respectful of the environment, consumer health, and the hard work of small producers committed to responsible viticulture.
Sustainable production processes
An approach that makes a difference right from the ground.
Choosing a wine that displays the organic certification on its label means supporting producers who have opted not to use synthetic chemical substances in their fields. By protecting the natural fertility of the soil with organic fertilizers, practicing manual or biological weed control, and safeguarding plants with copper and sulfur instead of pesticides, the environmental balance is preserved and the health of the winemakers is respected.
The work in the vineyard and winery also follows low-impact procedures, such as the use of solar energy, natural fermentation control, gentle pressing of the grapes, and bottling without glues or other unnecessary additives.
Health benefits
A toast to the balance of nature for our well-being.
For you consumers, choosing a wine from a sustainable supply chain guarantees direct benefits, thanks to the absence of chemical residues, allergens, or pollutants in the final product. Positive indirect effects are also confirmed: a higher content of antioxidants, polyphenols, and other useful nutrients, derived precisely from the greater vegetative-productive balance of the plant.
An organic wine, therefore, offers beneficial properties, particularly when paired with healthy and genuine dishes. It's an optimal solution as a summer aperitif or as an accompaniment to white meats, fresh cheeses, and steamed vegetables.
Support for small sustainable wineries
The quality choice that rewards those who are truly passionate.
By opting for natural and organic wines, you support those small and medium-sized businesses that have resisted the competition from intensive production, maintaining tradition, artisanal care, and respect for the slow rhythms dictated by nature.
Often the owners are directly involved in the work in the vineyard and in the cellar: knowing these stories will help you appreciate even more the product you choose for your tables. A quality choice that rewards genuine passion.
Organic wines vs natural wines: the differences that matter most
When talking about sustainability in the wine sector, it is important to understand the difference between the labels "organic" and "natural." Although both indicate a product that is more environmentally friendly and healthier, the production processes have some differences.
Differences in production processes: different rules for good grapes.
A certified organic wine must adhere to strict European standards that prohibit the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and GMOs in favor of natural cultivation and defense methods. In the winery, only indigenous yeasts are allowed to wisely guide the fermentation of the must. Natural wines follow the same criteria for organic cultivation, but do not use any added sulfites in the winery, limiting themselves to oxygenating and stabilizing the wine through racking, light filtration, and natural aging. Both types therefore offer excellent guarantees of authenticity.
Certifications and standards
Beware of misleading labels.
Organic wines must obtain EU certification from authorized bodies, displaying labels such as "Organic Wine" or "Wine from Organic Grapes." Natural wines, lacking a legal standard of reference, can use unofficial and subjective terms like "Natural Wine." Therefore, it is important for non-certified products to verify the information about the natural supply chain described on the label or on the producer's website, to avoid falling into easy misunderstandings of greenwashing.
In summary, the differences exist and should be understood, but what matters is the philosophy behind these precious sustainable productions, which deserve our support and the pleasure of tasting.
Tips for selection and consumption: small precautions for great wines
Sustainability and respect for the environment are concepts that begin with the act of conscious purchasing. Let's take a look at some useful tips on how to identify, buy, and best taste organic and natural wines.
Where to buy them: quality is also a matter of freshness.
The best channels for obtaining these fine bottles are specialized wine shops, online wine shops, and, when possible, directly from the wineries of the winemakers. These retailers ensure proper storage, avoiding exposure to light and temperature fluctuations.
When purchasing natural wines, it is also advisable to check the bottling date, as these untreated products are more prone to oxidation and should be consumed within 1-2 years. Even better if you arrange to receive or pick up the bottles right after the seasonal bottling!
How to preserve them: attention and care pay off in the glass.
Even at home, pay attention to storing wines in a cool, dry, and vibration-free environment, with a constant temperature around 12°C. Organic and natural wines, not having been subjected to clarifications, may have natural sediments: to enjoy them at their best, it is advisable to place the bottle upright at least 24 hours before pouring, and to gently decant the wine before serving. Small precautions to enhance authenticity and enjoyment!
Food pairings: Simplicity and balance with nature
The straightforward flavors and lighter structure of these wines are well suited to accompany vegetarian dishes, fish recipes, white meats, or medium-aged soft cheeses. The ideal pairing is to match the purity of organic wine with the genuineness of natural food, creating harmonious ensembles that are never too elaborate or convoluted.
The occasion for consumption can also dictate the choice: a fresh organic white as a summer aperitif, a powerful natural red in front of the fireplace in winter. Simplicity and balance with the rhythms of nature.
Flavors and aromas that tell the story of the changing seasons.
Each season brings unique atmospheres that reflect in organic and natural wines, enhancing their sensory qualities. Let's explore the distinctive characteristics of these nature-friendly labels throughout the different moments of the year.
Summer wines: fresh and easy to drink, perfect companions for sunny days.
Summer organic wines are characterized by a pronounced freshness, supported by a pleasant acidity and floral and citrus aromas. Excellent base varieties include native white grape varieties such as Vermentino, Fiano, andFalanghina, with a slender and intense sip.
Perfect for accompanying a platter of cured meats and cheeses under the blooming pergola, refreshing evenings with pizza or light fish dishes, these wines capture all the carefree spirit of the beautiful season.
Autumn wines: structured and intense, ideal with the hearty foods of the cold season.
With the arrival of the first cold weather, organic wines also become more robust and enveloping. Important reds made from indigenous grapes likeNebbiolo, Nero d’AvolaAndMontepulciano, or structured whites from grape varieties such asChardonnayAndSauvignon, present a higher degree and greater roundness.
Perfect for accompanying soups, red meats, aged cheeses, and hearty first courses, they emit warm glows similar to those of autumn foliage or the pleasant warmth of a lit fireplace.
Winter wines: full-bodied and enveloping, winter cuddles in the name of tradition.
With the onset of winter, the organic reds adapt to the harsh climate by maturing slowly and refining for a long time. The result is impressive and enveloping wines, with a velvety taste: Barolo, Brunello and Amarone della Valpolicella are just some of the most esteemed names of this season.
Excellent with game, braised dishes, and aged cheeses, these full-bodied reds convey the warmth of tradition, much like the pleasure of gathering around a crackling hearth with friends and family.
Spring wines: floral and mineral, good omens of rebirth.
With the first warmth of April, nature awakens and organic and natural wines also flourish. Gentle whites with delicate scents of wildflowers, rosés with cherry reflections, classic method sparkling wines with fresh savoriness: these are the recommended labels for Spring.
To drink as an aperitif on the sunny terrace, accompanied by a platter of cured meats and cheeses or delicate seafood dishes, they bring to the table all the grace and rebirth of the beautiful season.
The conscious choice, a gesture of love for ourselves and for our planet.
And so we come to the end of our journey exploring organic and natural wines, an exciting itinerary through green philosophies, delicious tastings, and stories of virtuous winemakers.
From these pages, the hope is that we have conveyed to you that enthusiasm for genuine and sustainable products that represent the future of our nutrition and our relationship with the earth. A contagious enthusiasm that encourages you to take action!
Every sip, every bottle that we choose with awareness and critical spirit will be an act of love for ourselves, for the health of our loved ones, and for the good of our planet. A toast to the balance with nature and a commitment to preserve this balance even through our small daily choices.