Organic wine

Organic wines are made from grapes grown in organic vineyards, and are processed using methods that keep chemical intervention to a minimum. This means that, strictly speaking, organic wine is not necessarily totally organic. Sulphites are needed to protect growing grapes from fungal attack, to preserve and stabilise wine in the bottle, and are used in both conventional and organic wine production.

The difference lies in the fact that organic producers keep the use of sulphites to a minimum, with levels approaching a third of those used in conventional wine production. The lower levels of sulphur are suspected of being the reason why organic wine has a reputation for being hangover-free.

There is currently no agreed standard for what constitutes "organic wine", and organic certification agencies are in the process of addressing this issue. In the meantime, examine the labels on organic wine bottles and look for indications that organic grapes are the main ingredient.

For those of you who are particularly sensitive to sulphites, organic wine specialists can tell you which wines contain the least sulphur.

Fortified wines

Organic port, sherry and fruit wines such as ginger, elderflower and blackcurrant wine are also now becoming more widely available. Many of these are produced in the UK, therefore providing a bonus in terms of boosting the local economy.

Organic spirits

While not so widely available as organic wine, organic spirits are available through specialist suppliers. The production process for organic spirits does not differ widely from conventional production. The main difference lies in the use of organic raw materials.

Featured organic wine suppliers

Abel & Cole - The Greener Grocer Tel: 08452 62 62 62 Website: www.abel-cole.co.uk Email: organics@abel-cole.co.uk Ethically sourced organic fruit and vegetables, bread, milk, meat, wine and much more! We deliver to many parts of the UK – check our website to see if we deliver to you.

Divine Fine Wines 240 Stratford Rd, Shirley, Solihull, B90 3AE Tel: 0121 436 7558 Website: www.divinefinewines.co.uk Email: divinefinewines@btinternet.com We have an extensive range of high-quality organic wines within our portfolio, several having received prestigious awards and/or critical acclaim.

Ethical Fine Wines Cambrian House, 51 Broad Street, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS37 6AD Tel: 01454 313300 Website: www.ethicalwine.com Email: info@ethicalwine.com Ethical Fine Wines sources quality wines from all over the world that not only taste delicious but are also produced in an environmentally and socially responsible way.

Festival Wines Po Box 5088, Brighton & Hove BN52 9BZ Tel: 0800 0242969 Fax: 0870 0554076 Website: www.festivalwines.co.uk Email: ben@festivalwines.co.uk We are a small business importing and retailing Organic, Biodynamic and Vegan wines.

Organic Champagne Organic Champagne, Upper Floor, 5 Regent Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1HE Tel: 01242 244620 Website: www.organic-champagne.co.uk Email: sales@organic-champagne.co.uk Organic Champagne is a specialist online organic retailer. We only provide organic drinks for retail customers through our website.

Organic Wine Pure Tel: 0049 7071 82011 (Germany) Website: http://www.organicwinepure.com Email: hartl@weinpur.de Established in 1983, Weinhaus Hartl is Germany's first and oldest independent importer and retailer of pure organic wines. Delivery service to the UK.

Organico Fisherbeck Mill, Old Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DH Tel: 01539 431122 Website: www.organi.co.uk For over a decade we have been importing wine exclusively and direct from the vineyard, to sell in our retail shop based in the Lake District. We have over 230 wines and the majority are exclusive to ourselves.

Pageant Wines 12 Pageant Place, Framlingham, Suffolk, IP13 9BX Tel: 01728 622018 Website: www.pageantwines.com Email: sales@pageantwines.com Pageant Wines is East Anglia's organic and biodynamic wine specialist. Most of our wines are suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans and we offer nationwide delivery to your door.

Pure Wine Ltd Pure Wine Ltd, Ocean House, 51 Alcantara Crescent, Southampton SO14 3HR Tel: 0844 800 9157 Fax: 05600 758 168 Website: www.purewine.co.uk Email: contact@purewine.co.uk Pure Wine Ltd has organic wines from across the world and most are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Sedlescome Organic Vineyard Cripp's Corner, Sedlescombe, East Sussex TN32 5SA Tel: 01580 380715 Fax: 01580 830122 Website: www.englishorganicwine.co.uk Email: sales@sedorganicwines.netscapeonline.co.uk Organic wines, fruit wines, ciders and fruit juices.

SIP Wine Ltd 27 Albert Road, Brighton, BN1 3RN Tel: 01273 821769 Website: www.sipwine.co.uk Email: ben@sipwine.co.uk Specialists in naturally made wines from Small Independent Producers, providing the highest quality wines that are made using organically and biodynamically grown grapes.

The Green Cellar Tel: 07786 286156 Website: www.thegreencellar.co.uk Email: emma@thegreencellar.co.uk Specialist importer of oganic Champagne and wines from Europe.

The Sussex Wine Company Farncombe House, 16 Market Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2NB Tel / Fax: 01273 477205 Website: www.thesussexwinecompany.co.uk E-mail: sales@thesussexwinecompany.co.uk The wines that we offer give you the choice of drinking certified, clean wines that are produced in harmony with the earth and are great drinking to boot!

Vine Organic Vine Organic Ltd, Lord Hope Building, 141 St James Road, Glasgow, G4 0LT Tel: 0141 3038204 Fax: 0141 5523886 Website: www.vineorganic.co.uk Email: info@vineorganic.co.uk Vine Organic Ltd is Scotland's premier independent wine merchant specialising in organic wine and fairtrade wines.

Vinceremos Organic Wines 74 Kirkgate, Leeds, LS2 7JD Tel: 0800 1073086 Fax: 0113 2884566 Website: www.vinceremos.co.uk Email: info@vinceremos.co.uk Organic wine, beer, cider, spirits and juice.

Vintage Roots Freepost, Reading, Berkshire, RG22 9ZZ Tel: 0800 980 4992 Fax: 0118 976 1998 Website: www.vintageroots.co.uk Email: info@vintageroots.co.uk Organic wines available in mixed cases.

Vin Vert Limited Pembroke House, 7 Brunswick square, Bristol, BS2 8PE Tel: 07891 600493 Fax: 01249 720720 Website: www.vinvert.co.uk Email: sales@vinvert.co.uk Vin Vert imports French organic and biodynamic wines from small independent producers and sells to the public via their website. We also have great trade rates and wholesale to restaurants and retail outlets. All our producers are certified organic or biodynamic by the EU.

Wines Naturally 81 Devonshire Drive, Mickleover, Derby DE3 9HD Tel: 01332 511232 Website: http://www.winesnaturally.co.uk Email: enquiries@winesnaturally.co.uk Family run business supplying an extensive range of exquisite organic and biodynamic wines and spirits, delivered to your door.

Buy Organics 54 Broadcroft Avenue, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 1PF Tel: 0208 952 1424 Website: www.buyorganics.co.uk Email: mail@buyorganics.co.uk The finest organic products on-line, natural skin care, toiletries, cosmetics, eczema remedies; pregnancy & baby, clothing; mattresses, herbs & spices, wine & beer, gift ideas. Ethical, organic shopping made easy & safe.