Many of us have felt the morning-after impact of a few too many drinks or the dreaded wine headache.
There’s no denying the harmful effects of alcohol either, from addiction to health issues like type 2 diabetes and gastrointestinal disease.
It’s why many wine lovers opt for a natural, healthier product: organic wine that’s more delicious - without ingesting toxins and excessive sugar. Organic wine and cider are healthier for the planet and those who drink it over conventional varieties.
Still the question remains. Is organic wine better for you?
If you’re looking for low-intervention styles of vino, organic wine and cider are crafted with a commitment to quality, environmental sustainability and natural winemaking practices. But what exactly sets these tipples apart? And how do they contribute to our well-being?
Let’s explore.
What is Organic Wine?
The organic difference involves a carefully considered process with the ingredients winemakers use, the vine itself and the land for a sustainable system from vineyard to bottle.
Some of the characteristics that make organic cider and wine good for you are:
No added chemicals or artificial ingredients
Vineyards that don’t use fertiliser and toxic sprays
Fermented without additives such as sulphur dioxide
Pesticide-free grapes and apples
Sustainable farming
No added yeasts or bacteria
Certification requirements (for certified organic wine and cider only)
Made using certified organic grapes and apples in an accredited vineyard
1. Antioxidants and Cardiac Condition: The Health Benefits of Organic Red Wine
Have you heard that a glass of red wine is good for heart health? Well there’s truth to this statement.
According to the ZOE Science & Nutrition podcast, red wine is different from other types of alcohol because of its magic properties, especially for the heart. Red wine connects to the grape more closely than any other wine - and winemakers use the grape skin, which is rich with antioxidants, to keep these good chemicals in the end product.
Organic red wine is fermented with the grape skin still on, but white wine is not.
Red grapes are the highest source of resveratrol. This antioxidant found in red wine can help the heart by reducing inflammation and blood clots. Polyphenol, the other powerful antioxidant, protects the heart’s lining. The high concentration of antioxidants, coupled with wild yeast and probiotic bacteria, make organic wine great for gut health too.
Like red wine, apple-based ciders also have a healthy dose of antioxidants. Apple skin is rich in polyphenols, and organic cider makers leave the skin as a core ingredient. It adds to the flavour and eases inflammation and cholesterol.
Tip: Having 1-2 glasses of quality organic red wine with dinner can counterbalance the unfavourable effects of alcohol toxins on your body. Be sure to drink moderately.
2. Fewer Sulphates, Pesticides and No GMOs
Another reason why organic wine is better is the absence of toxic chemicals and additives.
Grapes are on EWG’s Dirty Dozen list. Meaning they’re one of the worst offenders for pesticides and insecticides. In Australia, our grapes have 200 times more Methomyl than the UK - an insecticide that can cause nerve failure, nausea, confusion and death. It’s highly hazardous to humans, animals and the environment.
Imagine a vineyard where grapes are nurtured without synthetic pesticides, GMOs, chemicals or artificial fertilisers - this is where organic wine is born. These vines thrive in nutrient-rich soil with beneficial microbes and organic matter for a healthy natural ecosystem.
Organic wine and cider are made with no extra sulphates, preservatives and sugar. No artificial colours are added, and the quality of the grapes and apples is retained for maximum flavour.
While sulphur, at limited levels, can be safe and favourable to wine, some winemakers excessively use sulphur to influence taste.
We handmake our organic wine and cider with minimal preservatives and intervention. Our range has sulphur-free ciders and two preservative-free wines, while our other wines have the bare minimum in line with the certified organic standards.
3. Reduced Allergenic Compounds
Allergic reactions to wine are usually associated with sulphates, histamines, or other compounds. Because organic winemakers reduce or eliminate sulphates and chemicals, organic wine and cider are better for people with allergies, especially those sensitive to sulphates.
Sulphate sensitivity is an immune reaction that can cause symptoms like headaches, congestion, asthma, low blood pressure and a fast heart rate. Other allergens in wine, such as ethanol and fining agents like milk, eggs and fish, can also contribute to allergic symptoms.
If drinking wine gives you any of these effects, avoid wine with histamines and sulphates and choose clean organic alternatives.
Remember: Responses to alcohol are highly personal. The type of alcohol you drink, the amount, what food you have in your stomach and genetic makeup impact how your body breaks down each drink and the effects on your system.
4. Lowers the Risk of Hangovers and Headaches
Switching to organic wine can put an end to wine headaches.
Since organic winemakers avoid sulphates and additives, organic wine is lower in acetaldehyde - a toxin causing headaches, nausea, flushes and fatigue. There’s also a strong link between additives and hangover severity.
Organic wine and cider can still give you a hangover if consumed in large amounts; however, organic is a great choice for reducing the risk. You can incorporate organic wine into a balanced lifestyle by understanding portion control, food pairings and responsible consumption.
5. Support for Sustainable Agriculture
The sustainable benefits of organic wine go well beyond eliminating synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. There’s the reduction of water and energy consumption, and working with nature to boost the vineyard’s biodiversity.
Organic wine farming is gentler on the environment and better for our health. Sustainable production methods:
Support water conservation and renewable resources
Use cover crops, animal grazing and natural compost
Environmentally conscious to support the greater good
Small-batch quality over quantity
Final Thoughts: Is Organic Wine Better?
There’s a growing movement for organic wine and cider because of the health and sustainable benefits. But the unique quality and taste are favourable flavours that can’t be denied.
Why not enhance your wine-tasting experience with the best organic wine options?
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