Different type of wine certifications

Just as there are different appellations for wines. There are also several certifications, here are the main ones :

Organic Wine: This type of wine is made with organically grown grapes both in viticulture and in winemaking. Organic wines do not use any chemicals to treat the soil or the vines. World production of organic wine is around 10%. You will recognize them by the following labels: 

• AB for organic farming, which certifies that the wine contains no chemical coloring, synthetic additives, artificial flavors or preservatives.
• Ecocert, which has the characteristics of an organically farmed wine in addition to limiting sulfur during vinification.

Biodynamic wine: To receive this certification you must have the organic farming one. This esoteric method takes into account lunar cycles and nature to establish the harvest and bottling calendar. No additions are allowed, chemical or otherwise, during winemaking. Viticulture without pesticides or synthetic products aims to improve the quality of soils and vines. The labels are those of Demeter and Biodyvin.

Natural wine: There is no official certification yet but these are part of the Natural Wine Association (AVN). Vinified without additives, without added sulfite, without filtration or exogenous yeasts, natural wines only contain grapes, and indigenous yeasts producing healthy wines without chemical intervention. They are produced in limited quantities by a winemaker who respects nature and above all who has the freedom to make a wine as naturally as possible, without imposed rules. While a conventional wine can contain several pesticides, a natural wine will contain none.

In short, these methods require more rigor, care, lower returns and sometimes up to 50% more manpower. This fully justifies a slightly higher price.

“Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized.”

 – André Simon