At its simplest, organic wines are exactly what they sound like – wines produced with organically-grown grapes, free from herbicides, pesticides and other artificial chemical agents. To control for weeds and bugs, growers utilise cover crops to attract benign bugs known to repel the nasties, or have livestock like sheep graze between the rows to reduce weeds. The idea is that the vineyard becomes a self-regulating ecosystem.

It doesn’t mean that these wines are free from sulphur or other additives, however – many of which are also organic – but they are often present in lesser quantities. Organic farming practices include the use of renewable resources, crop rotation, green manures, and water conservation.  When compared with conventional farming methods, these practices maintain the quality of the soil, naturally manage pests and weeds, and promote biodiversity.

Better soil = better crops = better wine.