2012's harvest will produce real "ecological wine"

According to the Commission, “ecological wine” not only has to be made from ecologically grown grapes, but also needs to be free of sulfurization. Further, the amount of sulfite, which is often used as a preservative, has to be at least 30 to 50 milligrams per liter below that of common wine”. “These regulations now apply to all ecological agriculture and its products within the European Union” the Commission announces.

Brussels considers these regulations a way of transparency for domestic consumers. Also, it may make it easier to strengthen the position of European wines in the global market. Many wine-growing countries outside of Europe, like Chile, South Africa, Australia and the United States have already been following these new regulations.

“It will enable our consumers to have a clear idea of what they are buying”, comments Ralph Dejas, CEO at ECOVIN, the largest cooperation of ecological wineries in Germany. He adds: “All producers included in ECOVIN, will not really see big changes, since there have been many regulations like these in viticulture for a while now”.

“Roughly two percent of all European vineyards are set up for bio wine production already. Austria has the largest fields with about 8.7 percent. Italy’s bio wine grapes fill up to 6.8 percent, Greece 6.3 percent and Germany is behind all the big European wine-growing countries with its modest 5.2 percent.” (red.yoopress)