Organic Wines Out?

Filed in archive Organic Wine on May 30, 2007

One minute I'm reading that the new rage in the wine world is all about organic and biodynamic, but now according to an article at Decanter.com, we may be a little to quick to say that this is a trend growing in popularity. True, I have to say while I've read about this, I don't see it around me (in liquor, wine, or the grocery stores) all that much if at all. And, my wine clubs? Nope, not there either. They suggest it's because some consumers just don't really care yet.

From Consumers don't care about organic, Fairtrade or biodynamic wine:

The majority of UK consumers do not care if their wine is organic or Fairtrade, and do not understand what biodynamic means, says a new study.

Market research firm Wine Intelligence asked 2000 regular wine drinkers for their views on wine that is produced with consideration to social, ethical and environmental issues.

Both qualitative and quantitative results revealed a great deal of confusion and mistrust about the terminology applied to such wines. The study revealed that while most people understand the concept of Fairtrade, some believe that all wine is organically produced, and at least one consumer thought organic wine meant vegetarian.

'While 60% of respondents are aware of organic and Fairtrade wine, only 11.9% claim to have bought organic or Fairtrade wine in the last three months,' said research director Lulie Halstead. 'This is compared to 60-70% who claimed to have bought organic and Fairtrade food.'

The survey did, however, indicate that 20% of regular wine drinkers might be willing to pay up to 50p more for Fairtrade wine.

One study participant said,'Fairtrade is something you do for others, while organic is something you do for yourself.'

Halstead explained that many of the responses to the survey were driven by lack of awareness due to limited exposure and availability.

So, ther eyou go, "exporse and availability," just like I said. I think the whole organic trend is coming, but it is slow. Around South Florida (where I live), we have only in the past few years seen an increase in organic foods at farmers' markets and regular grocery stores, so organic wine is way on the back burner still I think.