Definition of Organic

What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word "organic"? The word "organic" has been added to cosmetics, food, clothing, and many other things, and it has become a familiar word. In recent years, the image of "organic" tends to take precedence as something that is natural, so it is easy to be confused by the word, but the reality is that not all products labeled as "organic" are organically grown. For example, wine. There are various names such as organic wine and BIO wine, but there is a clear difference here as well. Organic wine is called organic if the grapes are organically grown, even if chemical substances are used in the manufacturing process. Also, since organic = organic cultivation, it is not defined as pesticide-free. On the other hand, there is a difference in the wine-making (brewing) process. BIO wine is "wine made using natural yeast and using no or as little chemicals called antioxidants as possible." BIO wine is generally not stored at room temperature, but is refrigerated, because the yeast in BIO wine is naturally alive and its state is easily changed by temperature changes. Organic wine is resistant to storage at room temperature, so it is often displayed at room temperature in supermarkets. If you remember this as one way to tell whether a wine is BIO or organic, choosing wine will be more enjoyable.

Journal Editor: Wine Sommelier Saori Tokimoto