The EU Organic Certification for wine ensures that both grape growing and winemaking practices adhere to strict organic standards set by the European Union. Here's a detailed overview of the certification process, requirements, and benefits:

### Certification Standards and Requirements

#### 1. Grape Growing

- **Prohibition of Synthetic Chemicals:** No synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers are allowed. Organic vineyards must use natural alternatives such as compost, green manure, and organic-approved pesticides.

- **Soil Health:** Practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, and the use of organic fertilizers are required to maintain and improve soil fertility and structure.

- **Biodiversity:** Vineyards must promote biodiversity by creating habitats for beneficial insects and other wildlife, which helps in natural pest and disease control.

#### 2. Winemaking

- **Limited Additives:** Only a restricted list of additives and processing aids are permitted. These must be of natural origin and meet organic standards.

- **Sulfite Levels:** Sulfite levels in organic wine are strictly regulated. For red wine, the maximum allowable level is 100 mg/l, and for white and rosé wines, it is 150 mg/l. These limits are lower than those for conventional wines.

- **Yeasts:** The use of natural or organic-certified yeasts is encouraged.

#### 3. Certification Process

- **Application:** Vineyards and wineries apply to an accredited certifying body.

- **Transition Period:** A conversion period of at least three years is required during which the vineyard must adhere to organic practices before full certification is granted.

- **Inspection and Compliance:** Regular inspections and audits by the certifying body ensure ongoing compliance with EU organic standards.

- **Labeling:** Certified wines can display the EU organic logo, along with the code number of the certifying body and the origin of the agricultural ingredients.

### Labeling

- **EU Organic Logo:** The green leaf logo is mandatory on all organic products and indicates compliance with EU organic regulations.

- **Certifying Body Code:** A unique code assigned to the certifying body that conducted the certification.

- **Origin of Ingredients:** Information on the origin of the agricultural ingredients must be clearly stated.

### Benefits of EU Organic Certification

1. **Environmental Sustainability:**

   - **Reduced Chemical Use:** Minimizes the environmental impact by avoiding synthetic chemicals.

   - **Enhanced Soil Health:** Promotes sustainable soil management practices.

   - **Biodiversity:** Supports a diverse ecosystem, contributing to environmental stability.

2. **Consumer Health:**

   - **Lower Chemical Residues:** Reduces consumer exposure to synthetic chemicals.

   - **Sulfite Sensitivity:** Lower sulfite levels can benefit consumers sensitive to sulfites.

3. **Quality and Authenticity:**

   - **Terroir Expression:** Organic farming can enhance the natural expression of the terroir, leading to unique and authentic wine flavors.

   - **Natural Fermentation:** Use of natural yeasts and minimal intervention can result in more complex and distinctive wines.

### Challenges and Considerations

1. **Cost:** Certification and compliance can be costly, both in terms of fees and the investment in organic farming practices.

2. **Climate and Disease Pressure:** Organic farming can be challenging in certain climates and regions due to higher disease and pest pressure.

3. **Market Competition:** Organic wines often compete with conventional wines, which may have lower production costs and different market perceptions.

### Popular Regions and Producers

Many renowned wine regions and producers in the EU have embraced organic certification, including:

- **France:** Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley.

- **Italy:** Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily.

- **Spain:** Rioja, Catalonia, Andalusia.

- **Germany:** Mosel, Rheingau.

### Conclusion

The EU Organic Certification for wine provides a rigorous and trustworthy standard for consumers seeking environmentally friendly and health-conscious wine options. It ensures that wines are produced using sustainable practices that protect the environment and promote biodiversity, while also delivering high-quality and distinctive flavors.

Wines from strictly delimited terroirs, from the best vineyards of the Luxembourg Moselle

The Association is a union of vinegrower and winemakers who are engaged only in organic (so called bio or biodynamic) viticulture and natural winemaking. Natural Wine Association was founded in February 2017 in Tbilisi by Georgian grape-growers and winemakers.

New pyramids of origin

With the new wine legislation, a more differentiated pyramid of origin was created based on the previous quality pyramid. The "German wine" forms the basis of this pyramid, followed by the regional wines with a protected geographical indication (PGI) and the quality and predicate wines above it with a protected designation of origin (PDO).