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What Is Organic Wine?
Organic wine is wine made from organically grown grapes, with both vineyard and winery practices following recognised organic standards.
That means the grapes are grown without synthetic herbicides, artificial fertilisers and many of the pesticides used in conventional farming. In the winery, organic producers must also follow rules around additives, processing methods and sulphur dioxide levels.
At Vintage Roots, all our wines are certified organic (shop our entire organic wine range here), so you can be confident that what is on the label has been properly checked and verified.
What does organic wine mean?
For a wine to be labelled as organic, it must be certified. This means the grapes have been grown according to organic farming standards, and the wine has been made in line with organic winemaking rules.
In the UK and Europe, the term “organic wine” has been legally recognised since 2012. Before then, wines were usually described as being made from “organically grown grapes”, because the rules mainly covered the vineyard rather than the full winemaking process.
Today, organic certification covers both the vineyard and the cellar, giving more assurance that the wine has been produced to a recognised standard.
How is organic wine different from non-organic wine?
The biggest difference starts in the vineyard. Organic winegrowers work without synthetic herbicides and artificial fertilisers, instead focusing on soil health, biodiversity and natural vineyard balance.
Rather than relying on quick chemical fixes, organic growers may use methods such as cover crops, composts, natural fertilisers and careful canopy management to keep vines healthy.
This helps create a more balanced vineyard environment, supporting healthier soils and a greater range of wildlife. The Soil Association says organic farms have, on average, 30% more biodiversity, and can support higher levels of wildlife and soil health.
Why does soil health matter in organic wine?
Healthy soil is one of the foundations of good wine. Vines take nutrients from the soil, and the condition of that soil affects how well the vines grow, how resilient they are, and how balanced the grapes become.
Organic growers put a lot of emphasis on soil life. Compost, cover crops, minerals and plant-based preparations can all help improve soil structure and fertility.
The result is not simply “cleaner” farming. It is a more living vineyard system, with earthworms, insects, microorganisms and plant life all playing a role.
Does organic wine contain sulphites?
Yes, most organic wines still contain sulphites. Sulphur dioxide is widely used in winemaking because it helps protect wine from oxidation and spoilage.
The difference is that organic standards set lower permitted sulphur dioxide levels than conventional winemaking. For example, dry organic red wines are generally allowed lower total sulphur dioxide levels than conventional reds, and dry organic white and rosé wines are also subject to lower limits.
Some wines are made with no sulphur added, but even these may contain tiny naturally occurring amounts produced during fermentation.
At Vintage Roots, we make this easier to navigate with an LS symbol for Low Sulphur Added wines and NS for No Sulphur Added wines
Is organic wine better for you?
Organic wine is not a health product, and the healthiest approach to alcohol is always to drink sensibly.
That said, many people choose organic wine because they want to reduce their exposure to synthetic pesticide residues and drink wines made with fewer permitted additives. Organic wines also tend to have lower permitted sulphur dioxide levels than conventional wines.
It is best to avoid claims that organic wine prevents hangovers or is automatically “healthier”. Alcohol is still alcohol, and how you feel the next day depends on many factors, including how much you drink, hydration, alcohol level and individual sensitivity.
Is organic wine vegan?
Not always. Organic and vegan are different things.
Organic wine is about how the grapes are grown and how the wine is made under organic standards. Vegan wine depends on whether any animal-derived products are used during fining or clarification.
Some winemakers use no fining agents at all, while others use vegan-friendly options such as clay or plant-based alternatives. Many organic wines are vegan, but not all of them are.
At Vintage Roots, we clearly mark vegan-suitable wines with a VG symbol so they are easier to find.
Does organic wine taste different?
Organic wine does not have one single flavour. You can find organic versions of almost every style, from crisp whites and Provence rosés to rich reds, orange wines, sparkling wines and Champagne.
What many organic wines do have in common is a sense of freshness, purity and character. Because organic growers focus so strongly on healthy vines and living soils, the wines can often feel expressive of grape variety, place and vintage.
But, just like conventional wine, quality depends on the grower, the region, the vintage and the winemaker.
Is organic wine the same as biodynamic or natural wine?
No – these terms often overlap, but they are not the same.
Organic wine is certified and follows recognised rules around grape growing and winemaking.
Biodynamic wine goes further, using biodynamic farming principles and additional preparations. Biodynamic wines are usually organic too, but they follow a more specific farming philosophy.
Natural wine is less formally defined. It often refers to low-intervention winemaking, but there is no single legal definition in the same way there is for certified organic wine.
If you want certainty, organic certification is the key thing to look for.
How do you know if a wine is really organic?
Look for certification.
Terms like “sustainable”, “eco-friendly”, “low intervention” or “made with care for the environment” can be meaningful, but they do not necessarily mean a wine is certified organic.
A certified organic wine should carry a recognised organic logo or certification details. This matters because organic certification involves checks, records and inspections – not just marketing language.
That is why Vintage Roots only works with certified organic wines and drinks.
Why choose organic wine?
People choose organic wine for several reasons:
Organic wine supports farming that avoids synthetic herbicides and artificial fertilisers.
It helps encourage healthier soils and biodiversity.
It offers a clear, certified alternative to vague green claims.
It often uses lower permitted sulphur dioxide levels than conventional wine.
And, most importantly, today’s organic wines are genuinely delicious, with styles to suit almost every taste and occasion.
Where to buy organic wine
Vintage Roots has specialised in organic wines since 1986, with a carefully sourced range of certified organic reds, whites, rosés, sparkling wines, no sulphur added wines and mixed cases.
Whether you are completely new to organic wine or already know what you like, our range makes it easy to explore certified organic bottles from trusted producers around the world.
Explore low sulphur and no sulphur added wines
