Studies have shown that a glass of wine every day can help lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The type of wine you drink — whether it comes from a box or an expensive wine cellar — doesn’t make a big difference in the health benefits. But choosing a wine that is grown in an eco-friendly way can help you AND the earth.
If a wine is labeled USDA certified organic, it means the grapes were grown and produced without the use of herbicides or pesticides. This also means that the wine lacks added sulfites and preservatives that can keep color and taste over time — some people are allergic to these additives. However, no wine can be sulfite free, as some sulfites occur naturally. A wine that is labeled “made from organically grown grapes” has not been exposed to herbicides or pesticides, but may have added sulfites in the finished product. Growers like Frog’s Leap (Napa Valley, CA), Bonterra (Mendocino County, CA), and Coturri (Sonoma Valley, CA) are making highly-regarded wines from organically grown grapes.
Wine that comes from sustainable vineyards means that the farm itself uses natural methods to replace chemical pesticides and herbicides. Sheep or other livestock may be used to control weeds; owls and birds of prey can control rodent populations. Winemaker Honig, located in California’s Napa Valley, is known for sustainable farming methods.
Biodynamic wines are made using environmentally friendly farming techniques that also take into consideration things like moon and sun cycles. Interested in a vineyard that produces biodynamic wines? Look into Grgich Hills in California’s Napa Valley, or French vineyards Fleury Fleur de l’Europe of Champagne or Chateau de Bastet from the Rhone.
If you do choose to add a daily glass of wine to your diet, please remember to drink responsibly.