What could be a better accompaniment to a meal of organic food than a glass of organic wine? Wine is one of humanity's oldest beverages. It's been used in medicine and religious rituals, and it is all over our social calendars. A lot of research has been made to study its effect on human health. Is it a coincidence that the French, who are second in the world in wine consumption, also have the second lowest occurrence of heart disease?

That alone is a good reason to enjoy a glass of wine. But why select an organic wine over one made with conventional methods?

First, as with all organic food, organic wine is produced without any pesticides, herbicides or insecticides. According to some estimates, seventeen such substances are used in conventional wine grape production, making grapes one of the most heavily sprayed crops. After years of spraying the soil, as well as a season of spraying the grapes, the grapes contain contact as well as systemic pesticides. They may not only harm the plants, the soil, and ultimately the environment, but may also be present in the wine as a residue.

Organic farming promotes "biodiversity" and allows other plants to grow in and around the vineyard. Instead of using chemical substances to eliminate weeds, vintners let them grow. In place of herbicides they cultivate the soil and plant cover crops. They use only natural fertilizers, such as composted animal manure, and cultivate beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, to keep the less-welcome ones away.

Grapes are hand picked, which allow only the ripest and healthiest to be used in wine production. An independent body of certification (accredited by the USDA), has to control each winegrower, once or twice a year, to test if he meets the standards for organic farming.

But being "organic" doesn't stop when the grapes are picked. The winemaking process itself is a factor. Organic wineries keep physical treatment of the wine to a minimum level, although the temperature is controlled throughout.

Further, to call a wine "organic," it must not contain added sulfur dioxide, or sulfites. A natural byproduct of the fermentation process, sulfites are essential to prevent oxidation or bacterial spoilage of the wine. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture allows organic wines contain up to 100ppm of sulfites in the final product, many contain less than that; organic red wine, for example, often contains only 40ppm. Conventional winemakers generally add sulfites, and the sulfite levels of their wines will be twice as high.

Organic wines haven't had a good reputation throughout the years, but you'd be surprised at how far they've come. Add a glass of organic wine to that next organic meal, and make it tasty, heart-healthy, and environmentally friendly.

About the Author

Debbie O'Meara is the owner of www.organic-food-and-drink.com, full of resources and information about organic food and beverages, including wine.

Thoughts about Fine Wine

Learn about Custom Wine Racks


Custom Wine Racks
With custom wine racks, you can purchase the perfect rack for your unique situation. You no longer are stuck with limited choices. T...


Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

Recommended Fine Wine Items

The FTD Paradise Garden Basket - Premium


Heather wrapped gently around the basket handle crowns this bouquet of gerbera daisies, alstroemeria, and more. C21-3108P


Price: 62.99 USD



Fine Wine in the news

Ultra Lounge (27 CD Collection)

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:56:04 PDT
Quote: Originally Posted by jambycool (Post 514731) cha cha, tango and swing.ty po sa makakatulong you might want to try this, napulot ko lang :D credits to the original upoloader ;) Label: Capitol Genre: Oldies | Lounge Quality: 160-320 CBR VBR Stereo Smooth lounge music from the 50's and early 60's, makes you want to put up your feet, sip a cold hi-ball, and transport your mind to simpilar times. Very relaxing and novelty beats. Not to many vocals, but all around a g

Another First For Me

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:04:25 PDT
Copyright © 2008 Sticky Pen Well, here it is. A nice lazy Sunday morning and I'm sitting here at my computer. However, this is a bit different from previous times since I'm sitting on a heavy cushion with an ice pack firmly between the cheeks of my ass. And, this is what happened.Some of you may have read the story of my first time. Since that first time, my lover, Rick, and I have had a weekly session; sessions that I have enjoyed tremendously. I thought that last night would be no different b

Untitled

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:16:36 PDT
peeps came over to my house early in the morning helped to take the stuffs and went down waited for SHING&JO *YOU ARE LATE LATE LATE=D* bused over to clementi then took the shuttle bus over to shing's aunt hse the place is called what FABER.. anw we settle our selves down at the function room and begin to set the fire trying to set up the fire under the hot sun :p they cant wait any longer for the fire to start so they decided to peng over the kerosene. ANW IT's MY IDEA =D! trying to p

Sore ass

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 09:12:33 PDT
Since that first time, my lover, Rick, and I have had a weekly session; sessions that I have enjoyed tremendously. I thought that last night would be no different but that was not to be the case. I arrived at his house at my normal time and as is our habit, we sat down in his living room to share a bottle of wine. After my second or third glass, I was definitely getting “into the mood” when Rick’s doorbell rang. I was a bit annoyed at this since I was getting eager to go to the bedroom with R

Hollywood or Bust!

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 09:22:10 PDT
Please say thanks and please report any broken links. Various Artists - Ultra-Lounge, Vol. 7: The Crime Scene 1996] Mp3, Stereo, 320 kbps, 124.2 MB (all songs recorded between 1953 and 1967) 1. Dragnet/Room 43 - Ray Anthony 2. I Spy - Earle Hagen 3. Thinking Of Baby - Elmer Bernstein 4. From Russia With Love - Count Basie 5. Big Town - Laurindo Almeida & The Danzaneros 6. Man With The Golden Arm - Billy May 7. The Untouchables - Nelson Riddle 8. The James Bond Theme

Zed451 (4/5) on Yelp.com

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:45:00 PDT
Zed451 Categories: Brazilian, Steakhouses Neighborhood: Near North Side Full disclosure: I attended the grand opening party for Zed451 and from my experiences the food, service, and atmosphere is beyond perfect at these opening bashes. Now that being said....this was pretty awesome! I'm not the biggest meat lover so zed451 usually wouldn't be first on my list to try, but after my experience last night I"m just dying to go back: Atmosphere: Sophisticated yet cozy....you can tell a lo


Wine Gift
Wine Regions | Wine Review

Labels: Aging Wine

&type=page">

Entertain with the Region?s Finest Wines



Wine can add a sophisticated touch to any party or dinner that you host. When entertaining, treat your guests to the smooth flavor of Italian wine, specifically Tuscany wine.



Italy produces more wine than any other country in the world, and some of the finest varieties hail from the Tuscany region. Wine has been produced in Tuscany for hundreds and hundreds of years. In recent decades Tuscan winemakers have put great effort into the quality of their products, resulting in the excellent Tuscany wine on the market today. Tuscany wine is enjoyed widely and is easy to find in restaurants and diners as well as stores.



Super Tuscan Wine



In the past few decades an unofficial category of Tuscany wine has arisen, given the name Super Tuscan. Wines created by making unconventional blends of different grape varieties fall under the Super Tuscan category.



Tuscany Wine Zones



Tuscany is divided into several wine zones. Three of the most important of these are Bolgheri, Chianti Classico and Montalcino.



What is Bolgheri Tuscany Wine?



The Bolgheri zone, located in the west of Tuscany, is the birthplace of Sassacaia and Tignanello, which began the Super-Tuscan trend. In recent decades Bolgheri wine has received much attention for the quality of its wines. Winemakers in the Bolgheri zone specialize in red Tuscany wine created by blending the grapes of Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. Several different wines are produced using different combinations of these grapes.



What is Chianti Classico Tuscany Wine?



What more classic image of Tuscany wine is there than the straw basket covered bottle of Chianti resting on a checkered tablecloth in a cozy Italian restaurant? The Chianti Classico zone lies in central Tuscany. Red Sangiovese grapes are the primary ingredient of Chianti Classico, but they are generally blended with other grapes, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Canaiolo. Chianti Classico is a full-bodied, bold wine that makes a good complement to well-seasoned food. Chianti Classico wine has come a long way from its inexpensive, straw bottled past and today there are some excellent wines produced in the region. You can still get the straw basket variety if you choose, however.



What is Montalcino Tuscany Wine?



The Montalcino zone is located in the Siena area of Tuscany. Montalcino is known for producing the Brunello di Montalcino variety of Tuscany wine. Brunello di Montalcino is a red wine made from the Sangiovese grape and normally aged for at least four years, two in oak barrels. Brunello di Montalcino goes well with steak, roasts and flavorful cheeses.



More Tuscany Wine



Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a robust red wine that is also based on the Sangiovese grape and is similar to Brunello di Montalcino. Trebbiano is a traditional white Tuscany wine. Bianco di Pitigliano is produced in the southern Tuscan region of Pitigliano, and is a popular white Tuscany wine. Vernaccia di San Gimignano, made near Siena, is one of the best known Tuscany white wines.

About the Author: Want to know more about Wine? Learn more about wine and the little known wineries that produce the best wines from around the world at our wine resource site ? your-one-stop-shop for Wine!!! If discovering the finest and little known wines are important for you then visit out site now!!! http://www.wine-hq.com