Sure, it’s made from grapes. But does that make wine eco-friendly?

Not unless those grapes are grown organically; and if they’re grown locally, even better (Ideal Bite claims that “a local wine always trumps an organic one if it’s shipped from far away.” In fact, they report that the average wine shipment adds over 3 million pounds of CO2 emissions into the air – that’s like 994 round-trip flights from France to Napa!)

Here’s specifically what to look for when shopping for organic or eco-friendly wine:

“USDA-certified organic” means that the wine was produced without herbicides and pesticides and with no added sulfites, preservatives that help wine maintain its color and taste but that can cause serious allergic reactions and headaches in susceptible people. (Sulfites occur naturally, so no wine is sulfite free.)

“Made from organically grown grapes” means grapes were grown without pesticides or chemicals; some sulfites may have been added as a preservative. If you’re allergic, read the label carefully.

“Sustainable” may indicate the vineyard practices pesticide-free viticulture, using sheep to suppress weeds and owls to kill rodents. However, “sustainable” is not as meaningful as “organic” unless it is backed up by independent third-party certification.

“Biodynamic” practices rely on viticulture techniques that build healthy soil and keep the vineyard in tune with the cycles of the sun, moon, and planets. When certified by the Demeter Association, it’s safe to assume the vineyard met standards for biodynamic production.

Whether you’re having a party or just want to enjoy wine with dinner, these organic brands are worth a taste:

Benziger (biodynamic-California; shown in picture above)

Ca’del Solo (biodynamic-California)

Cullen (organic-Western Australia)

Emiliana (organic-Chile)

Four Gates (organic, kosher-California)

Frey Vineyards (organic-California)

Frog’s Leap (organic-California)

Grgich Hills (biodynamic-California)

Santa Julia (organic-Argentina)

Sobon Estate (organic-California)

Yarden Chardonnay (organic, kosher-Golan Heights)

But don’t forget to look locally first. All 50 states produce wine.

Want more options? Visit  Trade Organic Wine.

Our guide to green party planning guide will help, too.

Enjoy!

 

See More Related:

Share with Friends

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Go Green. Save Money. Guaranteed!

Save $5,070 with our FREE Go Green Save Money Guide

About Diane

Diane MacEachern is a mother of two kids, best-selling author and award-winning entrepreneur with a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources and the Environment. She founded Big Green Purse because she is passionate about sharing her experience and expertise with anyone who wants to live green and save money doing it.

3 thoughts on “Sure, it’s made from grapes. But does that make wine eco-friendly?”

  1. If you’re ever in Dry Creek, be sure to go to Preston Vineyards – my cousins have delicious organic wine, homemade bread from their forno, and organic veggies from their gardens for sale. Plus bocce!!

Comments are closed.

Welcome

Hi! I’m passionate about helping you protect yourself and your family and save money doing it. I believe we can use the power of our purse or pocketbook to change the world.

Here’s how it all started.

Shop Green

Instant Pot Smart Bluetooth

Reusable Cotton Face Mask w/Filters

Big Green Purse Approved!

Most Popular Posts

Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter for More Money-Saving Green Living Tips

Why My Purse is Green

This website uses cookies

We use cookies to make sure that you have the best possible experience on Big Green Purse. Cookies help you find what you’re looking for, help us show you additional content we think you might be interested in, and also help us optimize our site’s performance. Sound helpful?

Go Green. Save Money. Guaranteed!

Save $5,070 THIS YEAR With Our FREE Go Green, Save Money Guide