France's Occitanie Region Launches New "In Transition to Organic" Wine Labeling

The French organic wine producers group Vin Sud Bio has launched a new label for winegrowers who are in transition to organic certification. The label is called CAB.

Growers in the second or third year of certification may use it on their bottles.


The organization hopes it will incite people who were afraid of doing organic because of the three year transition period. The interim labeling may help producers who experience higher farming costs during that period recoup some of their investments in the transition to organic viticulture.

 

UK Wine Distributor Jascot Reports 132% Leap in Biodynamic and Organic Wines

John Charnock and Miles MacInnes (Photo: Jascots)

[From Harpers UK]

The soaring sales, recorded for the six months to 31 October 2018, had been driven by consumer demand, said the wine merchant, which has significantly expanded its organic and biodynamic portfolio in the past year.

Supplying restaurants, hotels and caterers, managing partner Miles MacInnes said Jascots had seen an increase across all client sectors.

“More and more top growers are farming organically and biodynamically and it is the quality of their wines that is driving sales forward,” he said.

With demand expected to grow and further growers poised to gain organic certification, MacInnes predicted that growth in organic and biodynamic sales would “continue at pace for the foreseeable future.”

Combined, Jascots’ organic and biodynamic portfolio makes up 15% of its wine list, with plans in the pipeline to grow it further next year, he added.

“We, our clients and consumers prefer to buy organic and biodynamic wines because sustainability matters and organic farming is known to produce delicious fruit,” he said.

In the last year alone, Jascots has added 24 organic or biodynamic wines ranging from premium organic Cavas from Penedès, through to an orange biodynamic wine from Croatia, and organic New World favourites Torrontes and Bonarda from Argentina.

Millesime Bio To Take Place Jan 28-30 in Montpellier

The world's largest organic wine fair returns to its home town of Montpellier in the south of France after a year in Marseilles.

This year's panels include:

• An overview on the organic wine market in France

• A session on "what is organic wine"
With V. Pladeau and Virgile Joly

• The organic wine market situation in France and regulatory developments

• A roundtable on the future of copper in organic viticulture

In addition there are more panels in the afternoon on trade in the organic wine sector that focus on:

• The global organic wine market 2012-2022

• Markets: Germany, Japan and USA

The presentation slides will be posted on the conference web site after the event. Videos may also be available.

The 2018 fair featured 5,700 attendees who visited 993 producers from 15 different countries.

Attendance in 2018 was up 17% over previous years; more than 25% if the attendees were from outside France.

Waitrose's Top Wine Trends of 2018: New + Organic Top the List

Canned wine and organic wines are among the top 10 drinks trends from Waitrose's Food and Drink Report 2018.

This according to MW Pierpaolo Petrassi, who heads up the drinks division at the UK supermarket chain. The company's organic wine sales were up 54% last year.

The company carries organic wines from 54 producers in 18 regions around the world. Bonterra from the U.S. is a major supplier.

"A few years ago, if you were offered an organic version of a drink, you’d expect an element of compromise," the report says. "Maybe you’d find the taste a bit rustic, or the price would make you think twice. This is no longer the case."

"It’s now impossible to taste two wines and say ‘this one’s organic and this one isn’t’. People are buying organic wines because they’re good."

Pierpaolo Petrassi MW head of Wines, Beers & Spirits at UK supermarket chain Waitrose

"Today, winemakers think about the degree to which they intervene in their vineyards more than they used to. If they can find a way to grow grapes organically, creating a product that’s as good value and as good quality as non-organic wine – and in some cases even more flavoursome – then what’s not to like? From drinkers to vintners, it’s time to give organic options serious consideration."

Elsewhere Harpers reported that Waitrose found success with  two organic wines in cans - a rosé and a syrah - from Chateau Maris that "became the hit of summer 2018." The retailer says it expects further growth in this category.

Find in-depth coverage on canned wines from organic vines at Organic Wine Insider.

SudVinBio and IWSR Study Says UK's Organic Wine Consumption Up 70%; Market to Nearly Double by 2022

A new study shows a potential doubling of organic wine sales by 2022. The study – The Future Potential for Organic Wine – commissioned by SudVinBio, the French organic viticulture association, and produced by renowned British market research institute IWSR.

SudVinBio are a French organic viticulture association and organisers of the World Organic Wine Fair, Millésime Bio.

The study found that UK organic wine consumption, when considered in isolation, has seen growth of 70% over the past five years. Market share is forecast to almost double from 5% currently to 9% in 2022.

With overall still-wine sales in decline, the study also showed that organic wine is actually taking share from the non-organic market, with a compound annual growth rate of over 11% between 2012-2017.

This has been attributed to a number of factors. Health is a strong market driver, with many consumers becoming increasingly wary of preservatives – suggesting that non-organic will begin to lose out to the more ‘natural’ connotations of minimal-chemical organic bottles.

The category is also benefitting from the current trends of ‘trading up’ and ‘premiumisation’. Organic wines are generally more expensive than non-organic, however the findings showed that UK consumers are willing to pay on average 38% more for a bottle of organic vs. non-organic wine.

[Editor's note: the price difference mentioned here does not appear to apply in the U.S. market.]

The ‘umbrella’ trend for organics is also having a positive knock-on effect on organic wine, and although there exists some consumer confusion around what constitutes an organic wine, the term itself is enough to drive sales.

Looking ahead, the impact of ‘Brexit’ cannot be ignored, as every industry prepares for unavoidable effects to trade, economic stability and consumer behaviours. The impact on niche sectors like organics cannot wholly be dismissed, but the solid foundations and optimistic growth prospects set the category in good stead to prosper.

Sponsor Message:

If you are in the trade and looking to learn more, take a visit to this year’s Millésime Bio, which takes place from 28-30 January at the Parc des Expositions Montpellier, to discover and taste the best organic wines.

About the fair: Spearheaded by Sudvinbio and Occitanie winemakers since 1993, Millésime Bio continues to be a window to the breadth of the organic wine industry, showcasing wines from 15 different countries and representing an impressive 40% of the total French organic wine offering. As the largest trade fair for the category, this year is set to be bigger and better than ever, with the opening of an additional concourse to allow for even more exhibitors and wines to be showcased.

This year will also see the launch of an exhibition space dedicated to organic cider, beer and spirits.

Finally: Organic Wine Done Right

SONOMA, Calif., Dec. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Good Company Wines, Inc. (GCW), regarded for its expertly curated, global wine selections, today announced its strategic partnership with San Francisco-based subscription meal delivery service, Sun Basket. Having successfully launched the program in the initial markets, GCW will now further expand this new dimension of the organic meal subscription experience to a National audience.

Highly differentiated, the Sun Basket subscription is focused on "cleaner glass" wine selections. Biodynamic, organic and sustainably farmed wines, the program is built on GCW's' expansive global wine network and Sonoma-based operations which have proven to be highly effective in delivering the great tasting, high value wines Sun Basket expects for its members.

"This is such a perfect partnership!" says GCW CEO & Founder, Danielle Westfall. "A decade of building online wine has given us a depth of knowledge few others have. Our massive breadth of global winery relationships and intimate working knowledge of the industry's compliance laws wholly position us to be successful. Add to that, our personal enthusiasm for the natural wines category, and it's been a jackpot."

Both companies expect this new organic wine subscription will meet a wider range of consumer needs, lifestyles, and preferences. Designed to pair with Sun Basket's core offering, the monthly rotating selection of wines showcases exciting new pioneers, special heirloom vineyards, and the highest quality, price ratio.

"I am quite excited about the next phase as we go into 2019," says Danielle.  "GCW is fully prepared to knock it out of the park with this Partner!"

About Good Company Wines:
Based in the heart of Sonoma's Wine Country, Good Company Wines is a venture backed multi-dimensional national wine company. Its flagship retail property, invino.com is recognized for sourcing wine from around the globe from top producers and emerging brands while delivering its customers preferred pricing at up to 70% off retail. Curated wines are selected by a panel of wine experts with new wines launching daily. Guaranteed to be at or below the best total price on the web, invino is the best source for enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

Contact: Danielle Westfall, CEO
Phone:707.202.5507
Email: PR@invino.com

SOURCE Good Company Wines, Inc.

Fetzer Vineyards COO Cindy DeVries Named “Green Personality of the Year”

HOPLAND, Calif., Dec. 28, 2018 — Fetzer Vineyards, a leader in sustainable winegrowing and regenerative agriculture, is pleased to announce Chief Operating Officer Cindy DeVries was named 2018’s Green Personality of the Year by The Drinks Business Green Awards. Selected from a pool of global candidates, DeVries was hailed for her role in shaping Fetzer Vineyards’ forward-looking approach to sustainability, including helping the winery achieve Zero Waste and CarbonNeutral® certifications, and advancing California’s efforts to adopt 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045.

For nearly a decade, UK-based alcohol beverage journal, The Drinks Business, has presented its annual Green Awards to companies and individuals who are leading the industry in sustainability and environmental performance. DeVries’ honor reflects growing recognition of the influence a local winery is having on global efforts to promote sustainable business practices and climate health.

The Drinks Business noted that it awarded DeVries its personality honor in 2018 for her “single-minded drive to ensure one business lives and breathes sustainability. Working within a major producer of organic and biodynamic grapes, she has devoted 25 years to this business, furthering its commitment to environmentally responsible winegrowing, while successfully navigating two changes in ownership.”

This most recent accolade caps several years of growing recognition for sustainability efforts at Fetzer Vineyards under DeVries’ leadership in this area, including receipt of seven sustainability-focused awards in 2017-2018: Ceres’ Golden State Warrior Award for leadership in supporting climate-smart policy initiatives; Environmental Leader’s Project of the Year award for adopting the BioFiltro BIDA® System for wastewater treatment; the Drinks Business’ 2017 Amorim Sustainability and Water Management awards; a United Nation’s 2017 Momentum for Change Climate Solutions Award for innovative and scalable global climate action; a B Lab 2018 “Best for the World” Changemaker award; and the 2018 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA).

About Fetzer Vineyards

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018, Fetzer Vineyards was founded in 1968 by Barney Fetzer in Mendocino County, California. An award-winning purveyor of wines and spirits spanning multiple origins and available in more than 50 countries worldwide, Fetzer Vineyards is a leader in sustainable business practices, organic winegrowing, and craftsmanship in the cellar.

In addition to robust offerings under the winery’s flagship Fetzer label, the winery also crafts the leading wine from organic grapes, Bonterra Organic Vineyards, named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine in 2016. Other California offerings include Adorada, Anthony’s Hill, Jekel Vineyards, Sanctuary Wines and 1000 Stories, the original Bourbon barrel-aged wine. Part of global winery Viña Concha y Toro, Fetzer Vineyards imports iconic South American wines such as Chile’s most-acclaimed wine, Don Melchor, as well as the Cono Sur, Viña Maipo, Marques de Casa Concha, Casillero del Diablo and Frontera labels from Chile, in addition to Argentina’s Trivento Reserve. Recently, Fetzer Vineyards entered the ultra-luxury wine and spirits category by forging a partnership with Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. to sell its historic craft rye whiskey.