Clean Wine, Green Wine, True Wine – What is the Difference?

The debate around wines marketed as clean, natural, or naturally created continues. Several brands recently launched by actors, celebrities, BHW-beauty, health wellness experts, musicians, and rap artists. Websites feature gauzy images of carefree, pretty people day drinking in euro-chic settings or basking in the sun. Product descriptions include “close to natural as possible”, “full of natural goodness”, “free of unnecessary extras” or “wholly oriented around maximizing quality and environmental sustainability”.

Not sure what these statements mean? You are not alone, many of you asked how these brands compare to Villa Graziella Organic. While we do not know specific vineyard or cellar practices by the companies and by no means claim to be experts, we’d like to clarify statements as they pertain to our wines.

Wines Under 12.5% ABV Are Better for You Than Wines with a Higher ABV

Alcohol by Volume-ABV is the legal calculation of the amount of alcohol in wine. Wines can have 3% to +16% ABV. Some new brands claim lighter wine with 3%-6% ABV tastes just the same as traditional wine allowing you to “enjoy a lunchtime treat”, “have all the fun of a glass of wine but with much less alcohol and unwanted calories.” Their pairing suggestions include salads and “lots of vegetables for better overall wellness.”

Too much alcohol content can mask a wine’s aromas or flavors, unbalanced, it can be bland and not taste better even with food. However, when there is not enough alcohol, a wine risks tasting one dimensional and thin. Our wines range from 12.5% to 14% ABV, the standard for many Italian wines. Our winemaker Luca Nesi strives to create wines that balance fruit and acidity with alcohol and tannins for clean, delicious wines. Whatever the ABV level, the most important factor is to enjoy wine responsibly.

Natural Wine Is the Same as Organic Wine

Natural wine is widely used and interpreted in many ways. Also labeled as green, pure, true, not-refined, not treated, unpasteurized or unprocessed. Natural wine can be made without using chemicals, additives or using industrial procedures. However, there are no official accreditation requirements or certification standards for natural wine equivalent to organic certified wine or the legally accepted definition of wine made with organic grapes.

Depending on a specific country’s certification requirements, organic quality wine is made using grapes with low intervention or minimum manipulation. There are defined protocols including restricted chemical fungicides, herbicides, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers. In the cellar: acidifiers, additives, flavor agents, processed tannins and sugars are prohibited. Specific technological processes: micro-oxygenation to speed up aging, synthetic yeasts are not allowed. While farmers often use organic growing methods and wine makers use low intervention methods, many do not apply for organic qualification because of the complex process, 4-year time frame and yearly substantial financial investment.

Sulfites Are Bad for You and Cause Allergies

A useful ingredient in winemaking, sulfites (also known as sulfur dioxide-SO2) help preserve freshness, protect wine from bacteria and oxidation. U.S. law requires that wine with more than 10 ppm (parts per million) of sulfur indicate "contains sulfites" on the label. The primary causes of allergy like symptoms are not sulfites rather histamines or dehydration. Researchers maintain histamines, a byproduct of yeast during fermentation, may intensify symptoms after drinking wine; coughing, headache, sneezing, next day grogginess.

The Food & Drug Administration-FDA estimates that less than 1% of the U.S. population has a sulfite allergy. Our wines have a maximum sulfite level of 40 ppm, we use ambient, indigenous sulfites, produced during fermentation of our wine. The EU legal limit for sulfites in organic wines is 100 milligrams per liter, the U.S. maximum sulfite limit is 350 ppm. When consuming any alcohol, it’s crucial to stay hydrated and to drink an 8-oz (250 ml) glass of water with each serving of wine.

Clean, Slow Crafted and 3rd Party Accredited Are Standards for Clean Wine

While these claims are enticing, they are absent of any legitimate protocols or requirement for how grapes are grown, or wine is produced. The legal standard for organic certification is by the United States Department of Agriculture-USDA or reciprocal International certifying entity. The label will indicate the seal of the certifying regulatory entity of origin and operator code. Our wines are certified by Istituto Certificazione Etica Ambientale-ICEA. The Italian Environmental & Ethical Certification Institute.

The regulatory agency assures the traceability of all the raw materials, prohibits any use of genetically modified organisms, chemical pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers. It tests and certifies the entire supply chain: from planting to harvest, crush to aging and bottling. ICEA requires certification for each new vintage, their seal and our operator code are located on the back of our bottle.

We all want healthier, more sustainable systems producing food, and wine. Industry-farmers, winemakers, importers, distributors, educators, and merchants collectively work extremely hard to offer a quality product in an honest and transparent manner. Unfortunately, some companies take a different approach. If unsure about a particular wine brand, ask a trusted wine merchant or retail staff member for factual product information and guidance.

A Note From Consuelo

A new season is upon us, Autumn officially began yesterday! Some people relish the sunny, crisp weather as the leaves change colors, others are sad as backyard vegetable gardens turn brown and the days become shorter.

While weary from the ongoing limbo like state due to the pandemic, many of you noted a positive development in the last six months. As learning and working from home is now the norm, people are spending more time together within the family unit however their household is made up.

Another benefit is sitting down to eat together nightly, even more than once a day. The ritual of family dinner has resumed and with it, new traditions are being created. According to AMC Global & Opinion Route research, in March out of necessity Americans went back and rediscovered their kitchens. On the rise steadily since June, family members are pitching in with daily meal prep. and with it a new generation is learning kitchen skills. Canning, fermenting, smoking in addition to home baking and scratch cooking.

These are incredibly stressful times, when tragic events shake the entire world what is more comforting than sitting down for a meal together? What are your new traditions? We always appreciate and are eager to hear from you.

Hoping you keep healthy, stay safe, and responsibly enjoy time with family & friends.

Consuelo

At Home With Villa Graziella Organic

Our friend and colleague Min H. is a talented home cook, scratch baker and global food aficionada. Honing her scratch baking skills, she recently shared a recipe for homemade bread using a Dutch oven. Chewy, crispy, crusty, and delicious, Min added Villa Graziella Organic extra virgin olive oil infused with fresh herbs and rosemary for a tasty dipping. Get the recipe here. https://www.recipetineats.com/easy-yeast-bread-recipe-no-knead/

Sneak Peak…. Something Delicious Is Coming Soon!

Villa Graziella Organic Tuscan Herb Seasoning Blends

Clean, vibrant, natural Italian Mediterranean Sea salt, with freshly ground herbs and spices

Meat or fish & shellfish, or vegetables & legumes

Custom blends to enhance your holiday cooking and dining!

SAVE THE DATE for FALL FARM DINNERS!

We miss seeing you and although we are cannot serve you at instore tastings, don’t miss our autumn dinners Fri. Oct. 7th & Sat. Oct. 10th with our partners at River Valley Farmer’s Table.

Always in season and sustainably sourced, enjoy a cozy, autumn inspired, 4-course dinner created by talented Chef Jeremy Kiens. Reservations available on the socially distanced, welcoming patio are available by reservation.

For info. https://www.facebook.com/rvrfarmerstable or call 872. 208.3267 for details!