Organic wine continues to become more accessible and popular

Key takeaways:

• Organic wine has gone from a niche product to a household staple and is now readily available to consumers worldwide. 
• The awareness around food production and farming practices has grown, causing wine drinkers to seek out environmentally-friendly wine.
• Organic wines have gained restaurant popularity which has driven consumer interest and increased organic and natural wine consumption.
• Industry trade shows have highlighted organic and biodynamic wines throughout Europe recently, raising interest throughout the world.
• Consumers have become more concerned about healthy eating and drinking.
• Over the past half-century, countless organic winegrowers and vintners have dedicated a great effort to creating a larger market for organic wine.
• Online wine purchasing ability has made organic wines easily available for purchase.

Organic wine has been all the rage at trendy restaurants and popular wine boutiques; it is super popular and one of the biggest trends in winemaking. The impressive growth in the production and consumption of organic wine has transformed it from a niche product to a readily available consumer product with an ever-increasing market share. Organic wine is no longer the obscure choice of hippies and hobby farmers. 

How did organic wine catapult to the top of the wine industry? We discuss six factors that have led to the rise in organic wine’s popularity. 

1. The consumer market is demanding organic products

Organic is a term that is generally recognized and understood by consumers. This strong awareness of the term resonates with wine drinkers who know that organic wine is healthier than conventional wine. Consumers appreciate the great taste of organic wine, too, and its other qualities, such as:

• Only natural farming methods are used
• No pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides
• No or low sulfites added
• No chemical additives are used to change the flavor, texture, taste, or aroma 

2. The awareness around food production and farming practices has grown

With farmer’s markets, “farm to table,” and sustainability continuing to remain popular, organic wines from domestic and international family farms started to get noticed in the consumer wine market. Wines made by farmers who treat the Earth with respect and create a quality product are appealing. 

Some consumers are making the switch to organic, natural, and biodynamic wines because they care about sustainability, the health of the planet, and the lives of those who harvest the grapes on vineyards.  Workers at conventional vineyards that use pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides may be at risk for health problems. People are becoming more conscious about the origin of the wine they are drinking. 

3. Organic wine growers are dedicated to growing a larger market

Over the past 40 years, there has been a steady increase in the number of talented winemakers seeking organically grown grapes. After decades of being dwarfed by conventional wine producers, organic wines are filling up cellars around the world. 

From France to Argentina, dedicated wine producers have become the drivers of the sustainable trend that is supported by a new generation of health and environmentally conscious consumers. Wines made with organically grown grapes were once hard to find and the price tag was usually quite hefty; the growing interest in organic wines has lowered the price and expelled the myth that delicious wine must be expensive and loaded with extra ingredients.

4. Industry trade shows have highlighted organic and biodynamic wines recently

Millesime Bio is a trade fair held in the wine heartland of France. It is devoted to organic wine and has been putting the spotlight on the sector since1993. This popular trade fair highlights organic wine producers from around the world. Even this year, with pandemic travel constraints, the organizers of Millesime Bio were able to reinvent themselves with a virtual trade show highlighting premier organic wines. 

Wine producers from around the world have increased their interest in organic wine. Many wineries feel that the quality of their wine is improved by a land free of chemicals. 

5. Organic wines gained popularity in trendy restaurants

Organic wine started to get popular at fine dining restaurants in Paris, Tokyo, and New York. Luxury and sustainability became a feasible association. Consumers perceived organic wines – and the establishments that served them – in a favorable light in terms of both social and ethical responsibility. 

Consumers began asking for more organic and natural wines and wise beverage directors at many restaurants provided at least a few offerings in this category. Top chefs and food personalities partnered with organic vineyards to showcase wines that were produced at vineyards with self-regulating, natural ecosystems. 

6. The explosion of e-commerce wine companies and online sales

Wine drinkers have discovered the genius shortcut to buying wines and spirits: online ordering. The e-commerce marketplace allows wine lovers to find and compare prices across markets, keep up with industry news, and learn about wine regions across the world.  Conversely, the internet has provided organic wine producers and sellers a great way to reach consumers, diversify, and protect revenue. Online wine sales were growing before COVID but the pandemic accelerated the trend towards online shopping; it has transformed consumer habits and shaped new business models. 

Specialist wine merchants have upgraded their websites to cope with the increased demand for online wine purchases. Many online wine platforms tout sustainably farmed wine delivered at a great price. 

Organic wines available from Domaine Bousquet

Organic wine has fewer sulfites, no added chemicals, and is kinder to the environment. Some organic wine drinkers even swear that drinking too much organic wine doesn’t cause any hangovers. 

It used to be a novelty but now organic wine is booming.  More than ever, it is easy to find great organic wines made sustainably. Domaine Bousquet has a large selection of premium organic varietals at affordable prices. Browse our selection.