What makes organic wine different?

The market for organic foods has skyrocketed in recent years, especially for organic wine producers.   While many people are seeking out high-quality organic wines, often they do not fully understand what makes organic wine so exceptional. 

It’s not just a food fad with a trendy label – organic winemaking requires strict adherence to earth-friendly farming and production standards. 

That is why only 5% of vineyard acreage on the planet is organic. This scarcity has led to a growing demand for organic wine because of its differences from conventionally manufactured wine. Though organic wine production is complex and delicate, the end result is vibrant, rich, and flavorful. Here’s how we make it at Domaine Bousquet. 

It starts with the vine

A good winery can track the beautiful story of organic wine from growth to bottle. Because organic wine cannot contain synthetic additives, ours relies heavily on the taste of the grape from which it came. There are no tricks to impart flavor and taste. This is why high-quality organic wine should always be made with the best practices that accentuate the full body of the grape. 

Organic vine growing is more than just a popular phrase or buzzword, it is an art form. Growing organically means we don’t use any pesticides or chemical products on the vines. While conventional viticultors can produce large amounts of hectares for a lower price, organic viticultors pay special attention to detail because we don’t use the same elements.

Our organic, high-quality grapes produce wines with higher concentration and more robust flavor. All varieties take time and effort to nurture, especially without the assistance of chemical pesticides and herbicides. For a dedicated winery like ours, the pride of making wines from the same variety with organic certification at a 100% rate is true satisfaction.

Mindful processing of the grapes 

When it comes to processing the fruit, organic winemaking again stands out against conventional methods. Traditional winemakers use heavy machinery to quickly scoop and tear every cluster in the field. This adds harmful toxins into the air the plants breathe and does not distinguish what it grabs from the vine. In contrast, organic winemakers like Domaine Bousquet delicately gather the grapes by hand, which prevents breakage, preserves the fruit, and helps maintain a rich color.

The organic process is largely defined by the style of wine the grape is meant for, which dictates the harvest point. It’s essential to have well-planned harvest logistics that minimize the time from plant to vessel to avoid any unwanted reaction from solar incidents.

Next, the clusters are hung for a while to enhance the heightened richness and body of the grape. The grapes are then put in a four-day cold maceration process to extract the richness that has been slowly accumulating on the vine. This emboldens the wine in the fermentation process to have more fruit flavor, vibrate color, and bold palate richness.

The clusters of accented grapes are then put into fermentation within oak, selected yeasts are added for 14 days, and there are another 20 days of maceration and malolactic fermentation. In the end, the wine is aged in French oak depending on the range, for several months.

Biodiversity and permaculture

A truly great winery makes sure there is a focus on biodiversity and permaculture. Dedication to the art of farming organically while improving the land’s biodiversity is key to a healthier vineyard, better fruit, and high-quality wine.

We practice biodiversity in the vineyard by using the cycles of nature to promote better vine growth. We choose natural ingredients instead of chemical or synthetic options to enhance the growth of vines and our production of wine is a way to promote sustainability and limit the impact on the environment.  

Naturally elegant wines by Domaine Bousquet

Domaine Bousquet is a family-owned wine company with French heritage, based in Gualtallary, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza. We are pioneers in the area and a leading organic producer and exporter of organic wines from Argentina. Our philosophy is to focus on preserving the grapes’ high-quality characteristics, which is why gentle handling of the fruit is the guiding principle of our winery. 

Certified organic fruit, high-altitude terroir, and a French-Argentine profile have translated into a recipe for success for the Bousquet family in 15 short years. Our naturally elegant, environmentally friendly wines are now found in 50 countries around the globe, and Domaine Bousquet is Argentina’s leading name in exports of wine made from organically grown grapes.

Visit us online to learn more about our exceptional wine varieties, schedule a tour and wine-tasting at our beautiful winery, or find more information about retailers and distributors.