There is a lot of confusion among consumers about organic products and wine is no exception. As organic food and products become more prevalent and popular, we are seeing an increasing number of wines that are labeled as organic or made with organically grown grapes. By now, I am sure you are asking yourself what the difference is an maybe even why it matters to you. Let's take a closer look at what organic means.

At this point there are four different levels of organic labeling for wine under the National Organic Program, which is part of the USDA: 100% Organic, Organic, Made With Organic Ingredients, and Some Organic Ingredients. So, what does this mean? For starters, organic grapes are grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides. Organic wines are produced from organic grapes and then it goes a step further, in that the wines should not be manipulated within the winery through additives and excessive filtration. Sulfites are a commonly known additive, which naturally occur in wine, and are often added in the winemaking process as a natural antimicrobial or preservative. Although sulfites are naturally occurring, they cannot be added to wine that is labeled as 100% Organic or Organic. Some people claim that sensitivity to sulfites, however, this is a small percentage of the population and the health risks are debatable.

I often hear the question, “are organic wines as good as traditionally made wines?” The answer is the same as it in with any organic product. Of course they can be! There are plenty of world-class vineyards utilizing organic farming practices, and these are becoming more the norm than not, as we become more aware of the toll that harmful chemicals take on us and our environment.

Coturri Winery is one of my favorite truly organic producers. Tony Coturri has a saying about his wine, he says that it is ‘just grapes.' Tony literally makes his wines by hand, starting with organic grapes and without the addition of, well anything. For an organic experience, try the 2006 Zinfandel Coturri Estate Vineyards ($32). This is a Zinfandel like no other. It begins with black fruit on the nose and moves into a very lush mid-palate of dark fruit and musty dark earth, finishing with a nice acidity. This is a highly extracted wine that will leave your teeth a deep purple. Oh, and plan on decanting this one, or you will be straining sediment through your teeth.

-Joann Farrell Quinn