Not Your Average Christmas Ham

Well this is it. My first blog post. 

Organics, whether you love the idea, or loath the idea it's a hot topic today and there is an increasing demand for organic products in consumer and business markets. Have you ever wondered what determines a wine as organic? Recently I completed a group project showcasing an organic winery: Frogpond Farms in Niagara-on-the-Lake. By visiting the farm and doing some of my own research I was able to get a much better idea of the risk and art of making an organic wine. 

What is organic wine?

Wine produced from grapes grown without the use of pesticides, fungicides, and chemical fertilizers. Typically during the wine making process S02 - sulphur dioxide, is added to wine as a preservative to prevent oxidization or spoilage. This is usually not practiced in organic winemaking, however there is no such thing as a sulphite free wine (as it a natural byproduct of fermentation).

You may see a few different ways an organic wine is expressed:

100% Organic - wines are produced with grapes that are certified 100% organically grown and do not have any sulphur dioxide added.

Organic - wines are produced with a minimum of 95% organic ingredients. These wines may have very low levels of S02 added to them

Made with Organic Grapes - wines that have a minimum of 70% organic grapes. These wines have S02 added.

Interesting Facts

• organic grapes grow much more easily in drier, warmer areas such as France, California, and Spain
• it takes 3-5 yrs to convert a traditional vineyard to an organic vineyard
• many wineries are technically organic however choose not to label themselves as certified. This could  be because of the increased risk an organic grape grower takes by not being able to spray for certain insects or fungal diseases that could ruin a crop
• zinfandel is a great variety to grow organically

Organic Wineries

Currently there are 2 Certified Organic Wineries in Ontario: Frogpond Farms, and recently certified as of the 2011 vintage, Southbrook Vineyards. Both are in Niagara on the Lake.

I have tried wines from both wineries and I must say Southbrook produces a more well balanced wine then that of Frogpond. BUT YOU BE THE JUDGE!

 Here are my picks for a great representation and comparison of local organic wines: 

1. Frgpond Farms 2008 Cabernet Merlot blend about $20 a bottle and can be found in the LCBO or at the winery or online www.frogpondfarm.ca.

2. Southbrook Winery's 2008 Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon about $24 a bottle and can be bought at the winery or online www.southbrook.com

Please feel free to post any comments or questions you may have about my first blog post. The holidays are soon approaching and I will be posting The 12 Wines of Christmas! Stay tuned for more food and wine indulgences.

Cheers friends!