EU regulations for organic wine are not „strict enough“

“I don’t think the new regulations to be strict enough”, Barranco Oscuro Manual Valenzuela, Spain’s pioneer of natural wines, comments the new regulation. “I’m concerned about the far too high amount of sulfur dioxide added to organic wine, although it is 30 to 50 percent lower than is allowed to add in conventional wines.”

“We know a series of associations and countries in Europe are not happy with the new regulation”, Chris Atkinson, standards’ director of the UK based Soil Association, says; the Soil Association’s threshold values within its own certification system are harder than the EU regulation stipulates. “But the new law gives us a basic line where we can move forward from.”

Others demonstrate a firm stance. “Christine Saurel from the biologically dynamic Montirius winery from Vacqueryras, southern France, states for instance: “We and other producers from our region vinify without organic yeast. When you think ecologically and have an ecologic soul, you know what to do in the vineyard to ennoble vines and grapes and to support natural yeasts. Of course, I can understand those who use organic yeast but this cannot be the rule. As far as this question is concerned, the way of thinking has to change.”

In contrast, Neil Palmer, director of the Vintage Roots online trader, which is specialized on organic wine, considers the new regulation as a step into the right direction. On 1st of August, the Vintage Roots company has introduced a “low sulfur” organic wine list with wines containing at least 50 percent less sulfur than stipulated in the new EU regulation. (red.yoopress)