Bio, HVE, nature, biodynamic and more if affinities… It’s not difficult to drown in front of all those labels on wine bottles. Admit it, all these mentions are a little blurry, even a real poker game.
These labels are supposed to help us in our choice with wines that are more respectful for us and for the environment (vegetal, animal, human…). But what is their true value and what do they mean ?
Vegan wines
Here, we are stepping out of the subject of environmentally friendly wines. Indeed, a vegan wine is not necessarily better for the planet. On the other hand, it is a wine that does not contain products of animal origin ! So why are these wines mentioned in this article ? We're coming ...
In practice, a vegan wine responds to a need not to find products of animal origin. In the facts, this means that the wine has not been fined, that is, "clarified" by traditional methods. Generally, the winemaker can "clean" his wine to give it more clarity, using egg white or fish glue, for example. This therefore makes the wine unfit for consumption for our vegan friends..
The winegrower can use a vegetable alternative to stick his wine with split pea "glue" for example.. He can also decide not to just stick his wine.
In short, a vegan wine is ...
Four organizations issue a vegan label for wine :
- The Vegan Society, with the Vegan Trademark (the sunflower logo).
- the Italian Vegetarian Association, which has its own label : Vegan® Vegetarian Quality
- Expertise Vegan Europe, who created the EVE Vegan label spread over four levels, and which also certifies products from organic vegan farming via the Vegan Biocyclic Standard.
- the Vegetarian Association of France (AVF) which distributes the Label V, fruit of a consensus between many associations in Europe.
Back on topic : Why these labels appear in this list ? Simply because their logos can be confusing. They are green or yellow in color and often represent a flower or a plant. It is not difficult to misunderstand and think that these certifications respond to ecological issues, but this is not the case !
HVE wines
These three letters may not mean much to you, but they certify the High Environmental Value of the operation. We're not talking about wine here, but the environmental quality of the ecosystem where it is produced. Environmentally conscious, the winegrower must be attentive to biodiversity, adapts its use of fertilizers and pesticides and finally optimizes its use of water.
Reasoned agriculture seeks to use natural solutions as much as possible. The winemaker only treats his vines against certain diseases when there are no other solutions to save the harvest. It is ultimately a "smart" use of pesticides, particularly in wine-growing regions where the climate makes conversion to organic more difficult.
Remember that the Terra Vitis association has been emphasizing since 1998 on the three pillars of sustainable development : the environment, the social and the economy. Bringing together six regional associations (The Loire Valley, Alsace, Champagne, Beaujolais / Burgundy, Languedoc-Roussillon / Rhône Valley, Bordeaux / South-West), the member winegrowers set themselves the task of becoming examples of social responsibility on their farms.
In short, an HVE wine is ...
- Orange or black logo representing a farm surrounded by fields, a setting sun and a flying butterfly
- Logo Terra Vitis
- Viticulture more respectful of the environment and adjustable if necessary
- No specific rule concerning viniculture
Organic wines
You certainly know this logo. The organic label represents a star leaf on a green font often associated in France with the letters AB. This means that the winegrower has made the choice to grow his grapes without chemicals or GMOs.. Most of the work is done in the vineyard.
For the vinification, reality is a little different. The list of authorized products remains fairly close to conventional wines. Adding tannins, sulfur or yeast is allowed. An organic wine can reach 100 mg / l of sulfites against 160 for conventional wines.
As in everything, organic wine is not necessarily better or worse than another. Some are real nuggets to find while others are worth the worst of conventional wines… The real debate on organic wine is the authorized rate of sulphites, too high for purists. Whatever we may say or read; there is no allergy to sulfites. However, you may be a victim of sulfite intolerance when you have breathing problems ! To better understand this subject, I invite you to read the post " Why are there sulfites in wine, are they dangerous ? "
Its mention is mandatory on the labels, under the names sulfur, SO2, sulfur dioxide or sulphites.
In short, an organic wine is…
- Green logo with a white star leaf and the letters AB
- Addition of sulphites authorized and decried,
- Until 35 inputs authorized without mention on the label (product that is added during winemaking).
The most demanding organic wines
In response to the EU label that some consider too lax, some private organic certifications have emerged. We find in particular Nature and Progress, which defines itself as a citizen movement, and Bio Coherence, founded by Biocoop. Their specifications are stricter than the European standard. For example, in the case of Nature et Progrès :
- 100% of the domain must be organic.
- The vines and the farm must be located outside areas exposed to industrial pollution and resulting from intensive agriculture and livestock farming. Major highways should be more than 500 meters.
- Certain slaughterhouse by-products (bone and blood powders, meat meal) are prohibited for soil fertilization.
- As mentioned in the article which explains the distinction between an organic wine and a vegan wine, gelatin and fish glue are prohibited when gluing, what makes these wines at least vegetarian.
- Members are committed to promoting short circuits, decent working conditions, and human-sized farms.
Biodynamic wines
Even more respectful of ecological logic, some winegrowers have joined the biodynamic movement, breathed into the years 1920. Rudolf Steiner is an Austrian philosopher who advocated against the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The aim is to reduce the presence of inputs, and none of them should be chemical.
Biodynamic winegrowers try to maintain the balance between the plant and its environment by preserving the life of the soil. For it, they prepare "homeopathic treatments" from plants that they infuse, energize or macerate in order to help the vine grow stronger and better develop. They also use the lunar calendar so that the plant, soil and lunar influences combine best.
In short, a biodynamic wine is ...
We find two labels to identify a biodynamic wine.
- Demeter is the most famous label. In addition to the practices imposed for the cultivation of the vine, it also has precise specifications for winemaking, much stricter than other labels. In particular, it bans twice as many products as organic, including pork gelatin and fish glue.
- Biodyvin is a label issued by the International Union of Winegrowers in Bio-Dynamic Culture (SIVCBD). This label only concerns wine, but is mainly interested in the production of grapes. The winemaking specifications, even if he encourages not to use oenological products, does not include a strict prohibition as long as the winegrower is able to justify his choices.
Natural wines, living, S.A.I.N.S
Winegrowers producing natural wine take the approach much further, since in addition to being organic or biodynamic, they refrain from any input except possibly a little sulfur in homeopathic doses. Their goal is to handle the wine as little as possible and let nature take its course - hence their name ! –. The wines are notably not fined and are therefore vegan.
However, there is no official definition and certification for natural wines.. The term can therefore unfortunately be used in an abusive manner.. Members of the Association des Vins Naturels (AVN) and wines without any input or sulfite (S.A.I.N.S) undertake to comply with specifications, but that only concerns a few dozen winegrowers.
In short, a natural wine is ...
- AVN logo on purple background
- Not the logo for S.A.I.N.S wines, but a "Raisin" application to scan your bottle
Be careful not to be marketed ... The word natural on a bottle of wine in no way guarantees that it really is. ! Better to use the Raisin application !
The other logos of the wine mix
You took it from the bottle ? I think you are now a real professional in the decryption of wine label !
However, you should know that many winegrowers do not display a logo on their bottles, without making conventional wines ! To be sure of your purchase, there is only one solution : discuss it with your wine merchant or the winemaker himself with a drink.
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