RAISE A GLASS
THERE’S a handful of lifestyle choices you can make when buying a bottle of wine. Is it vegan-friendly? Is it organic?
Vegan- and vegetarian-friendly wines don’t use animal products in the “fining” process, which is when the wine is clarified. There are now a few vegan-friendly wines, so that’s good news.
Another lifestyle choice can be organic wines. In the past few decades the use of pesticides and chemicals have grown as industries increased production. Now there’s a pushback.
This month it is Organic September, as championed by the Soil Association (soilassociation. org). Its latest figures show that the UK’s organic market is worth £2.33bn and wine is massively contributing to that growth.
Worryingly, it tells us that 52% of the Earth’s soil is degraded because of chemicals.
If you drink wine, can you make a difference? Well yes you can, because if you buy it, you’ll increase consumer demand.
Organic wine isn’t a new concept. Darek Trowbridge, an organic and natural winemaker from the Old World Winery in California, told me: “We have the same challenges that have existed for 2,000 years.
“In fact, additives didn’t come onto the scene until very recently in the aftermath of the First World War. The truth is that wine has more history without additives than with.”
Aldi is one supermarket recognising this trend towards organic wines. Its Organic Sparkling Grillo (£6.99) sparkles with Sicilian delight and has notes of melon, honeysuckle and citrus. I’ve long been a fan of the retailer’s Organic Prosecco (£7.99) which is both eco and vegan friendly. I always enjoy the Co-op’s peachy white VDV Organic
Verdejo (£8) but last week I tried a new one (for me) from the store. RAW Airen Verdejo Sauvignon Blanc (£8). RAW stands for “really awesome wine” and I wouldn’t say it is awesome to taste but in terms of being organic and vegan then the boxes are ticked. It’s a blend of three grapes from the central Spanish region of La Mancha. It’s a pretty wine to sip, with notes of peach and lemons.
Sainsbury has a terrific So Organic range across several lines, and wine is one of them. Try So Organic Cabernet Sauvignon (£6.50) which has black cherries, forest fruits, vanilla and a rumour of chocolate.
There’s a fabulous online organic wine specialist, vintageroots.co.uk, which is flagging some great buys for Organic September. There’s even a gin, Walcher Gin La Vita è Bella (£35), which has award-winning organic credentials. See if you can make a difference this month.
■ Also in my glass… Sometimes I can try to be too clever. When I heard about the Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Craft Lager in cans I thought, here’s an idea! I’ll find more drinks associated with TV and film and write about them! But I failed miserably. So we are left with just Peaky Blinders lager.
It is brewed in the Black Country and is light, golden and refreshing. Cans are on offer at sadlersales.co.uk at 24 for £24.
■ Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.