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THE DIRT
If you could protect our environment by changing your wine, would you? Like most conventional agriculture many wine growers use synthetic pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and fertilisers, which pollute our air and water ways and may have a negative impact on our health.
......................Organic wine is the new Eco-Savvy drink.......................
Health Benefits:
Organic wines are grown and produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, fungicides, herbicides or fertilisers. It is true that the yeast used to ferment wine absorbs some of the pesticide residue in the conventional variety. This is great for wine drinkers, but why not go organic and be sure of exactly what you are drinking.
The use of natural preservatives like Sulphur dioxide (220) are kept to a minimum in Organic wines, however most still contain some, so if you are allergic or sensitive to Sulphur dioxide you need to look for a Preservative-free wine. (NB: In the US if a wine is certified organic it can not contain sulfites, in Australia it can contain up to 125 ppm).
No sugar or artifical flavours are added in Organic wine while in conventional winemaking production, there is around 300 additives that can be used. (Check out Additive Alert for more details on dangerous additives).
Some but not all organic wines are also Vegan. Thought that all wines were vegetarian? Many winemakers use extracts of fish, milk or egg whites to remove colloids (fine solids left over from the fermentation process) from their wine. In Vegan wines clay or silica is often used.
Eco Benefits:
Organic farming conserves and builds healthy soil, creates and maintains diversity and causes significantly less pollution than conventional farming. This means keeping our waterways free of pesticides. Organic vineyards have been found to have double the number of earthworms when compared to conventional farms.
G SPOT
Even the 'ECO-Challenged' can convert to Organic Wine! I am no wine expert, but the Organic wines I have sampled have been lovely. I still can't quite taste the subtle 'hints of passionfruit and chocolate' that are often reported in wines. Mmmm.... I must need more practice!
Please do us a favour and send this 'cleanmail' to all your wine drinking buddies around the world!
COME CLEAN
Check out these sites for some Organic and preservative free wines.........
Organic Wine website has all your preservative free, organic and vegan wine needs delivered straight to your door!
Random Valley offer a great range of Organic wines often recommended in 'foodie' circles. The website also has some great info on the Organic wine process.
Settlers Ridge have won a stack of medals both in Organic and open wine competitions. Organic, preservative free and vegan all in one bottle!
Cullen Wines grapes are grown biodynamically and offer a premium wine selection specialising in Sauvignon Blanc Semillon.
In the US check out The Organic Wine Company for a great selection of wines with loads of information. They pride themselves on helping you select the best wines for your taste.
In the UK check out Vinceremos who offer Biodynamic and Organic wine and Organic spirits, beer and soft drinks.
Looking for sustainable, eco-friendly, chemical free or Organic products? Check out our online directory. We spend the time checking these companies out, so you don't have to!
Check our Come Clean Archive for previous tips.
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