Exploring the differences between Organic, Biodynamic and Vegan wine

What’s the difference between Organic, Biodynamic and Vegan wine?

Nowadays our food and drink choices are far more considered than they used to be. Buying products that are made in the most natural way possible is high on the agenda for many. A report published by the Soil Association last year found that sales of organic food and drink in the UK rose to £2.45 billion in 2019.

And, according to the Institute of Wine & Spirit Research, when it comes to wine, the UK market share for organic wines is set to double by 2022.

If you’re from England, then buying an English wine is already ticking the sustainability box as it will generate far less food miles (or in this case wine miles!) than choosing a wine from abroad but there is also an increasing number of vineyards in England that use sustainable winemaking techniques.

Recognising that the wine industry in England needs to work towards becoming more sustainable, Wine GB recently launched an accredited sustainability scheme to encourage wine producers to minimise their impact on the environment and maximise their contribution to environmental sustainability and biodiversity.

The Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWOGB) scheme looks at everything from maintaining and improving soil health and biodiversity to reducing the use of pesticides within the vineyard as well as the environmental impact of packaging. From next year you’ll start to see the SWOGB certification mark on WineGB sustainable-approved wines.

Sustainable agriculture does not prohibit manmade chemicals in the vineyards but it does encourage grape growers to develop an in-depth understanding of the lifecycle of pests and monitor the weather forecasts so they can predict and potentially prevent an outbreak before it occurs, limiting the amount of spraying required.

Vineyard managers can also encourage biodiversity by supporting a range of plants in the vineyard to provide habitats for predators of pests, while also providing nutrients for the vines.

Organic and biodynamic farming take this one step further but what’s the difference?

Organic wine

Organic wine, like organic food, is made without the use of artificial pesticides, fungicides, herbicides etc. Instead, grape growers can use naturally occurring products, like sulphur dioxide, to help promote growth and fight disease which can threaten the life of the vine and quality of their grapes.

They may also introduce predators that might prevent insects, such as vine-destroying caterpillars, from breeding. When it comes to making the wine in the winery, organic vineyards are also prohibited from using certain additives – of the 300 or so pesticides permitted under EU law, just 20 are permitted under organic standards, and all derive from natural ingredients.

Only vineyards certified organic by the Soil Association are able to label their wine organic. However, a growing number of vineyards in England are adopting organic processes, even if they are not certified, so it’s worth asking about a particular vineyard’s techniques when choosing a wine.

Some say that another benefit of organic wine is that you are less likely to get a hangover thanks to the low level of sulphites. However, every wine, organic or not, contains naturally occurring sulphites, so it’s not possible to get an entirely sulphite-free wine. And when it comes to a hangover – well we would always advise to only drink in moderation anyway!

Our recommendation:

OXNEY SPARKLING ROSÉ, FROM £26.99

This organic estate between Rye in East Sussex and Tenterden in Kent, is one of England’s most southerly vineyards and lays claim to being the largest single estate organic vineyard in the UK. This sparkling rosé is a deliciously fresh, gently-foaming wine with delicate aromas of raspberry, peach and lemon on the nose and palate, along with a smooth richness thanks to some extended time on its lees. 

Biodynamic wine

 Biodynamic winemaking adopts the processes and techniques of organic winemaking but takes things to another – more spiritual – level. Not only is no synthetic chemical interference of any kind used to farm biodynamically but the practice also adopts ancient agricultural concepts, such as following lunar growing cycles and astrological charts, to manage growth in the vineyard.

The practice follows the principles of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner and is based on the idea that, in order for it to reach its full potential, a vineyard needs to be well-balanced and harmonious. It follows a relatively strict calendar, dictated by the solar system, to identify the best days for harvesting, pruning and watering.

Many of the encouraged processes, such as crop rotation, the promotion of biodiversity and using alternative, natural crops to protect and nourish the soil and vines, make perfect sense. Others are seen as bohemian or indeed completely off the wall. As an example, some winemakers believe playing music to their vines at sunrise or sunset will help them reach their full potential.

Our recommendation:

SEDLESCOMBE PREMIER BRUT 2015, FROM £30

Established in 1979 by wine pioneer, Roy Cook, Sedlescombe is England's oldest organically certified vineyard and was one of the first – and still very few – UK vineyards to adopt biodynamic practices.

 This Biodynamic Premier Brut is a blend of three varieties: the Johanitter, Seyval Blanc and Kerner so delivers quite a different character to that given by the classic Champagne grapes. It has aromatic citrus notes of lemon peel and apple with a creamy, baked bread and nut finish – complemented by a gentle but persistent mousse.

Vegan wine

And then of course there’s vegan wine. “But surely all wine is vegan?” we hear you cry. Well actually no. Many of the fining agents traditionally used in winemaking (these prevent wine from looking cloudy) contain animal products, such as egg whites or milk protein.

However, the more naturally way in which the wine has been processed, the less need for these fining agents so by default organic and biodynamic wines are more likely to be vegan friendly. However not all vegan wines will automatically be organic.

The term Unfiltered is sometimes used on bottles of wine made without the use of fining agents, so look out for this if you’re on the hunt for a vegan-friendly bottle.

Our recommendation:

WISTON ESTATE BRUT NV, FROM £26.99

Names WineGB’s Winery of the Year 2020, Wiston Estate is renowned for its sparkling wines made by Dermot Sugrue – once declared by wine critic Stephen Spurrier as the best winemaker in England. 

This food-friendly wine combines wonderful layers of lemon, hazelnut, brioche and yellow apple with a wonderfully fine mousse. Couple with chicken or guinea fowl in a mushroom, girolles or cep sauce.