If you’re looking for hostess gifts, wines for holiday meals, or just looking to add a weeknight bottle to your collection, these biodynamic and organic wines are a great place to start. My collection of red and white wines that are delicious, affordable, and sustainably made.
As I’ve admitted in the past, one of the fruits of my month-long work Side detox Just when it comes to wine, especially red wine with no additives, I’m getting a little fancy.
Over the past few years, since the completion of my book health programmy quest for healthy hedonism means less wine, but it also means making better, cleaner wine responsibly.
Fortunately, organic wines are increasingly appearing on restaurant lists alongside traditional heavyweights. The contents of these bottles are made using organic farming and harvesting practices – that is, without additives, pesticides, etc.
What is biodynamic wine?
If a wine is also biodynamic, it means the vineyard is sustainably harvested according to the lunar calendar. Often, there is also a working farm adjacent to the biodynamic vineyard, as wine production is closely tied to the overall sustainability of the entire operation.
Biodynamic wines have no added sulfites, sugar or other additives. You can also safely assume they’re organic, even if they’re not certified.
For a while, natural wine was also considered a gamble for taste seekers. Without a little help from the lab to correct the imperfections and irregularities of the different crops, the bottles often have a funky, off-putting quality. As my good friend, natural wine lover and soon-to-be sommelier David Bruno told me: This is a big misconception.
While some natural wine makers like to experiment and get weird, natural, organic and biodynamic wines can be delicious if you know where to find the best bottles.
How do you know if a wine is organic or biodynamic?
Some stores have begun putting green stickers or stickers on some of their inventory to indicate sustainable, biodynamic practices.
I got my early education in natural wine from Foragers, a great little shop around the corner from my old apartment in Chelsea. In addition to a grocery store and restaurant specializing in local and organic produce, they’ve recently ventured into wine. I’ve tried many bottles in the store, but decided to go straight to the source to learn more about what to look for in organic and biodynamic wines.
As with packaged food, the back label is the best source of information on how wine is made, suggests Drew, wine buyer at Foragers. There are a few different certifications to look for.of course organic certification. But many smaller vineyards and winemakers won’t be able to afford official certification (also like food brands), so it’s important Read the back of the label, some of which will explain the cultivation and biodynamic process.
Two other things to look for are SIP authenticationwhich accounts for sustainability, and Demeterwhich is the main mark of biodynamic wines.
If you don’t see a certification and don’t have time to browse, you can look for wines from specific importers. Jeanne and Françoise, One recommended by Drew that specializes in French wines. Generally speaking, Loire Valley One of the first regions to really jump on the organic trend. Luis Dresner Is another one to look for in that part of the world.For some great options in Germany, David recommends anything off the floor on the bottle.
The importer’s name is on the back of the label, and if you see any of these three, you’re definitely going for a more natural wine.
If you’re looking for more natural grape juice consumption options, Drew has put together a list of some of his favorite more affordable options in stores, along with some other helpful information below. David also recommends some more humble natural bottles from various islands. Finally, Bianca Bosker, author of the wonderful wine memoir cork nerd and this Wine additive industry, has passed on some back pocket favorites from her virtual cellar! Plus, I’ve included a list of some of our favorite bottles in our house.
These wines are unlikely to cause a headache the next day due to the lack of additives, but if you need them you can also check out my Hangover Natural Remedies or prompt Whole Liver Detox After a big night!
The best biodynamic and organic wine brands
Drew’s Picks from Foragers NYC, under $30:
Grape growers of the Estezarges Grandes Vignes Côtes-du-Rhone Rouge$17
Jenny and Francois are excellent distributors of French organic and biodynamic wines. If you’re not sure about the certification on the back of the label, look up their name and you can assume it’s a perfectly clean bottle.
A classic Spanish white grape, grown organically in California’s Edna Valley and certified sustainable by SiP (Sustainable Practice).
Domaine du Mortier “Dionysos,” $25
This is our favorite no-additive red wine from our Loire Valley store in France. The Loire Valley was one of the first regions to use organic and biodynamic farming and is often a great place to find these natural wines on a wine shop or restaurant wine list.
Tassarolo Castle Sparkling Spinola Garvey$25
This is one of Jeanne and François’ natural wines that actually says “No Sulfites Added” on the bottle. The wine is super fresh and dry, with soft bubbles and clean minerality. This is one of our spring and summer favorites.
Cone Sur Organic Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenere15 dollars
This one isn’t technically biodynamic, but it’s one of the most popular organic wines in the store, and it’s a great value.
Demeter certified biodynamic wine from Willamette Valley, Oregon. Their website has great info on all their wines (we also have their Borealis and Reserve Pinot Noir).
David Bruno’s picks from the islands and beyond:
Comte Abbatucci VDF ‘Valle di Nero’ 2014 (Corsica), $46
A glass of island style. The perfect rose for all summer.
Antoine Arena Patrimonio ‘Carco Blanc’ 2014 (Corsica), $56
Although slightly more expensive, this Vermentino is crisp and clean for those who want a change from their usual Sauv Blanc drinking style.
Bellus Frappato ‘Scopello’ Sicily 2014$25
This Sicilian reddish has a slight chill and tastes great year-round.
Envinate Canary Islands ‘Taganan’ Blanco 2015$37
Envinate is producing some of the best Spanish wines at prices currently on the market, a strong buy!
Enderle & Moll Baden Pinot Noir “Contact” 2015$35
Unlike the island theme, these guys are brewing the most amazing Pinot Noir in Germany and have a crushable Muller-Thurgau that’s a 365-day killer.
Bianca Bosker’s Back Pocket Picks of the Year cork:
Pierre Cotton Beaujolais 2016$29
Almost every bottle I’ve had from this maker has been great.
Sandocino is also great. Both are released through Jenny and Francois Selections.
Batić Angel Grande Cuvee 2010$30
Excellent white wine from Slovenia, from estates where the Mediterranean and Alpine climates meet.
Occhipinti Sp 68 Sicilian white wine 2016$30
My husband and I picked it from our local organic wine store, Thirsty Fort Greene and Verve in Manhattan:
Bonnet-Cotton, “Ygueule VDF” 2020$30.00 $30.00
Jean Foillard Beaujolais Village 2020$29
Eyrie Pinot Gris Dundee Hills 2018$24
We visited this Oregon vineyard in 2015 and their wines never disappoint. They are also, in our opinion, much less expensive than anything good quality in California. Their Pinot Noir is also lovely.
Stefano Massone Gavi Masera 202115 dollars
Gavi is a fantastic pale white from Umbria. When we see it on a menu, we always know it will pair well with the many different flavors on our plate. It’s a great option for the holidays when you’re not sure what’s on the menu.
Do you have any favorite natural, organic or biodynamic wine brands? Let me know in the comments so we can add to our arsenal!
