I’ll Drink to That: Organic and Biodynamic Wines

When we think about holiday gift giving, we tend to think of things like toys and electronics — stuff you’d wrap and put under the Christmas tree or Hanukkah bush. But, I’ve realized that the item I give most often around the holidays, hands down, is wine. Every holiday party and dinner requires a bottle, so I end up spending a decent chunk of change at the wine store. I thought that this year I might spend that money on eco-friendly wines.

There are two basic kinds of environmentally friendly wines: organic and biodynamic. The term “organic” can refer to a host of things, including official government certification, but at the most basic level it means that a wine’s grapes were grown without the use of pesticides or other chemicals. (Grapes are supposedly one of the most “sprayed” kinds of produce, so this is no small feat.) Some winemakers believe organic wines should be manipulated as little as possible, so they may avoid techniques such as reverse osmosis and flavor additives. In the United States, wines labeled organic cannot contain added sulfites, which means that organic wines give many people less of a hangover than traditional wines — what a bonus!

Biodynamic wines take the organic concept several steps further, with winemakers taking a homeopathic approach to growing grapes and handling the crop post-harvest. For instance, a biodynamic winemaker may schedule his or her harvest around the astrological calendar or make his or her own compost. The result is generally healthier — though more wild-looking — vines and, according to may people, a better-tasting product.

Certified organic wines have become rather popular, so most wine shops carry at least a few varieties. Also, here’s a tip: If you want to drink organic but you don’t know what to pick, go with any wine from Italy. They won’t say “organic” on the label, but virtually every wine from Italy is organic, because that’s just how they farm there! Biodynamic wines may be a little trickier to track down; the local liquor store may not carry them, but you can find them at some wine shops and at places like Whole Foods (if, of course, grocery stores are allowed to sell wine in your state). You can also find tons of organic and biodynamic wines online through retailers like the Organic Wine Company and Organic Vintners.

As you might have guessed, organic and biodynamic wines can be more expensive than traditional wines, though that is certainly not always the case. One of the best organic wines that I’ve tried recently is Tarantas Cava Brut, a wonderful, dry Spanish sparkling wine, which is all of $12.99 at Whole Foods.

I’m going to several holiday parties this month, and plan to pick up organic wines as gifts for my lovely hosts. Happy holidays, everyone, and cin-cin!