126 Organic & Biodynamic Wines to Try in 2019 (Plus: Tasting Tips from Wine Experts)
Drink to good times with these delicious wines all made with organic grapes.
Whether you prefer an elegant white wine with a flirty spring flower aroma or old world reds with plum and cherry notes, this list of wines – all made with organic grapes – and tasting guide introduces you to a world of delicious organic and biodynamic wine for every budget.
Why Drink Organic Wine?
Today the answer is for taste!
Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village sommelier David Gary explains that “consumers today are drinking less but better. They understand that organically farmed foods are better tasting and better for you. And wine… is food.”
Accomplished winemakers with a passion for growing healthy clean grapes is a delicious recipe for success. And the awards are stacking up from the toughest critics to prove it. Fontanafredda was named “Wine Enthusiast’s 2017 European Winery of the Year”. While Napa Valley’s Grgich Vineyards also earned numerous accolades from Wine Enthusiast. Italy’s wine bible, Gambero Rosso, named Ferrari Trento “Winery of the Year” for 2019. While Gerard Bertrand has won numerous Decanter World Wine Awards over the years for his Domaine de Cigalus White. And that’s just to name a few.
Kerin O’Keefe, author and Italian Editor of Wine Enthusiast adds, “Organic wines have come a long way in terms of quality and volume in just the last several years as more and more people are looking for organic wines to fit their lifestyle.”
It’s not only our health that’s at stake but also the wellbeing of the earth and the farmworkers who harvest the grapes. When we drink wine made with organic grapes – we can truly toast to our health.
How to Develop your Palate
The love of wine opens doors to an adventure for the senses. What better way to experience terroir than to travel to the land where the wine is from? Imagine sitting under a cherry tree with glistening views of Lake Geneva as you enjoy a bottle of Chasselas – a light and crisp white wine from Lavaux, Switzerland. Or a Bordeaux blend in France, Porto in Portugal, Malbec in Chile, and Verdejo in Spain? Wine travel blends scenic destinations with unique adventures that you don’t experience anywhere else in the world.
Or let wine travel to you. Organic, natural, and raw wine tasting events are a great way to develop your palate. Boutique local wine stores host tastings where you can sample a flight and mingle the night away. Learn the names of the qualities you enjoy in wine, like elegant, minerality, silky or fruity. That way at restaurants and wine shops you can guide the sommelier to suggest wines based on your unique taste.
Shopping Tips for Quality Organic Wines
Do you want to start an organic wine collection? Here are a few tips from the experts.
1. Just because a wine didn’t win awards doesn’t mean you won’t love it. Many small producers choose not to enter wine competitions to keep costs down.
2. Organic labeling can be confusing – especially when it comes to countries with complicated governments. Robert Kelly of Dark Star Imports explains the Vino Libro certification in Italy. He says, “Wines are made in the same way as organic wines but the winemakers have chosen to forgo the process of organic certification and instead have opted to band together and create a certification of their own without government intervention.”
3. The best value isn’t always at the grocery store. Brianne Cohen, wine educator and writer explains, “One would assume that the lower the cost of a bottle of wine, the lower the quality. That’s not always true! Most wine found on the middle shelves of the grocery stores fall into the $8-$15 range. These wines are generally domestic, mass-produced, and heavily manipulated. Instead, explore honest, regional wines from outside of the US and outside of the grocery store. In wine shops, incredible values at (or under) $15 can be found in wines from Argentina (Malbec), Spain (try an Albariño or Verdejo as an alternative to Sauvignon Blanc), or Portugal for incredible reds made from indigenous varieties that can rival Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.”
4. Consider investing more per bottle for hand harvesting. Ed Field, owner of Natural Merchants, Inc. explains that “the differences in prices, in our case, are the costs of production and logistics. Some higher-end wines are hand-harvested, from low-yielding older vines or smaller, exclusive plots, with oak aging and costly facilities in some of the most expensive wine growing regions in the world.”
To Decant… or Not to Decant?
For the best practice on decanting red wine, I asked Kerin O’Keefe, author and Italian Editor of Wine Enthusiast for her expert advice. “I never decant wines,” she says, “but prefer instead to open bottles a few hours ahead of time to let them open up slowly and gently.
“Decanting is more violent, especially for older wines that have been corked for years or even decades and are more fragile than younger wines: the sudden contact with air and pouring into a decanter, even with careful pouring, causes a loss of aromas and flavors. By opening the wine a few hours ahead of time, you’ll be able to witness the constant evolution of the nose and the palate, sensations you miss entirely with decanting. For this reason, most of the top producers of Italy’s greatest, age-worthy reds, also shun decanting.
“Opening a bottle ahead of time can be difficult at restaurants, but to resolve this, I usually order a glass of white or sparkling wine to start and at the same time order a red, which I have them bring to the table and uncork to let it breathe while we enjoy our appetizers. Another reason some people advocate decanting is for sediment. However, sediment is a natural part of wine, and with older wines, in particular, it’s where most of the flavors are concentrated. Sediment can actually be the most fascinating part of the tasting experience and shouldn’t be wasted at the bottom of a decanter.”
2019 Wine List
(NV) Non-vintage, (V) Vegan, (B) Biodynamic, (AW) Award-winning
White Wine
1. Gérard Bertrand, Domaine de Cigalus White, Chardonnay Viognier Sauvignon blanc, IGP Aude Hauterive, Languedoc, France, 2016, $50 (AW)
2. Grgich Hills Estate, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 2015, $43 (AW)
3. Fulvia Tombolini, Verdicchio Riserva, Verdicchio, Le Marche, 2014, $25
4. Keeler Estate Vineyard, 100% Chardonnay, Oregon, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, 2016, $40
5. Grgich Hills Estate, Fumé Blanc, Napa Valley, 2016 $30 (AW)
6. Albet I Noya, “Curiós”, Xarel-lo, Penedès DO, Spain, 2017, $13 (AW)
7. Bonterra, Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino and Sonoma County, 2017, $14
8. Sella & Mosca Le Arenarie, Sauvignon Blanc, Alghero DOC, Sardinia, Italy, 2017, $18
9. Ventisei Bianco, 40,5% Trebbiano, 40.5% Malvasia bianca, 19% Sangiovese, Tuscany, 2017 $17
10. Avignonesi, Cantaloro Rosso, 45% sangiovese, 33% merlot, 22% cabernet sauvignon, Tuscany, 2017 $18 (B)
11. Fulvia Tombolini, Castelfiora, Verdicchio, Le Marche, 2016, $15
12. Domaine Piccard, Le Coup de Fouet, Chasselas, Villette Grand Cru Lavaux AOC, 2016, $ 17 (B)
13. Domaine des Faverges, L’énigme, Chasselas, St-Saphorin Lavaux, 2015, $19
14. Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2018, $15 (V)
15. Jean Leon, Chardonnay, DO Penedes 3055 2017 $15
16. Sella & Mosca Monteoro, Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG, 2016, Sardinia, Italy, $27
17. Albet I Noya “Lignum Blanc”, Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc, Penedès DO, Spain, 2017, $16
18. Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, 90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, Tuscany, 2015 $30
19. Zyme’, “From Black to White”, White Valpolicella Blend, Veneto, 2016, $30
20. Il Ghizzano Bianco, 50% Vermentino, 30% Trebbiano, 20% Malvasia Bianca, Costa Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy, 2017, $20 (B)
21. Bat Shlomo Winery, Sauvignon Blanc, Coastal Plain, Israel 2017 $25
22. Domaine de la Bolliattaz, Henri Contesse, Chasselas, Grand Cru Villette, Lavaux AOC, 2017, $16
23. Domaine Wannaz, Blanc de Filles, Blend Chasselas & Viognier, Lavaux, 2017, $18
24. Granza Verdejo, 100% Verdejo, Rueda, Spain, 2017, $12 (V) (AW)
25. Avignonesi, Rosso di Montepulciano, 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo e Colorino, Tuscany, 2016 $30
26. Domaine Wannaz, St Saphorin, Chasselas, Lavaux, 2017, $18
27. Astobiza Txakoli, Txakoli de Alava DO, Spain, 2016, $19
28. Cline Family Cellars, Farmhouse White, California 2017 $11
29. Terra Viva, Pinot Grigio, Veneto, 2017, $12 (V)
30. Pierre-André Jaunin, La Cochère, Chasselas, St. Saphorin, 2017, $14
31. Clos Floridene, Sauvignon Blanc (55%), Semillon (44%), Muscadelle (1%), Graves Blanc, 2011, $35
32. Domaine Piccard, L’Anthropocène, Chasselas, Villette Grand Cru Lavaux AOC, 2016, $16 (B)
33. Domaine Piccard, Daley Lavaux, Chasselas, Villette Grand Cru, Lavaux AOC, 2017, $16 (B)
34. Koyle, Costa La Flor Sauvignon Blanc, 100% Sauvignon Blanc, San Antonio Valley, Chile, 2018 $16.99 (V)
35. Biokult Gruner Veltliner, 100% Gruner Veltliner, Niederösterreich, Austria, 2017 $14.99 (B) (V) (AW)
Red Wine
36. Coyam, Chilean Red Blend, Los Robles Estate, Colchagua Valley, Chile 2015, $45
37. Bonterra, The Butler Single Vineyard Cuvée, Butler Ranch Vineyard Mendocino County, CA, 2014, $57 (B)
38. Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva DOC 2015, Sardinia, Italy, $17.99
39. Fontanafredda Serralunga d’Alba, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, 2014, $59
40. Grgich Hills Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2015, $72 (AW)
41. Caruso & Minini Naturalmente Bio, Cataratto, Sicily, Italy, 2017, $23 (AW)
42. Keeler Estate Vineyard 2016 Pinot Noir (100% Pinot Noir), Oregon, Eola-Amity Hills AVA – 2016 – $38 (B)
43. Albet I Noya “Lignum Negre”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot, Penedès DO, Spain, 2015, $16 (AW)
44. Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Sangiovese, Tuscany, Italy, 2013, $55
45. Querciabella, Camartina, Toscana IGT, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Tuscany, Italy, 2012, $130 (B) (V)
46. Jean Leon, Le Havre Cabernet Sauvignon, DO Penedes, 2011, $30
47. Domaine Émile Grelier, 100% Merlot, Bordeaux Superérieur, 2012, $20
48. Grgich Hills Estate Zinfandel Napa Valley 2014, $36
49. Bonterra, The McNab Single Vineyard Cuvée, Mendocino County, CA, 2014, $50 (B)
50. Gérard Bertrand, Kosmos, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Marselan, Vin de France, 2014, $25 (AW)
51. Sella & Mosca “Tanca Farra” Alghero DOC 2014, Sardinia, Italy, $27
52. Domaine des Faverges, L’évidence, Pinot noir, St-Saphorin Lavaux, 2016, $24
53. Sella & Mosca “Marchese di Villamarina” Cabernet Sauvignon Alghero DOC 2010, Sardinia, Italy, $60
54. Fontanafredda Silver Label, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, 2014 $46.99
55. Domaine des Faverges, La syrah, Syrah, St-Saphorin, Lavaux, 2016, $26
56. Domaine Piccard, Fleur de Miel, Pinot noir, Villette Grand Cru AOC Lavaux, 2017, $18. (B)
57. Caruso & Minini Naturalmente Bio, Nero d’Avola, Sicily, Italy, 2017, $23 (AW)
58. Mongrana, Toscana IGT, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Tuscany, Italy, 2015, $19.99 (B) (V)
59. Jean Leon, Vinya Palau Merlot, DO Penedes, 2011, $30
60. Natura, Pinot Noir, Dry Red Still Wine, Casablanca Valley, 2014 Chile $12
61. Grgich Hills Estate Merlot Napa Valley 2015, $43 (AW)
62. Col d’Orcia Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Sangiovese, Tuscany, 2015, $25
63. Erasmo Reserva de Caliboro, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, Maule, Chile, 2010, $30
64. Querciabella, Turpino, Toscana IGT, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot, Tuscany, Italy, 2013, $60 (B) (V)
65. Il Palagio, Roxanne Red Rosso, Toscana IGT, 80% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, 10% Syrah, Tuscany, Italy, 2016, $17
66. Tenuta di Ghizzano, Nambrot, 60% Merlot 20% Cabernet Franc 20% Petit Verdot, Costa Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy, 2015, $40
67. Natura, Carmenere, Colchagua Valley, 2012, $12
68. Domaine Blaise Duboux, Plant Robez, Plant Robert, AOC Lavaux, 2017, $28
69. Il Ghizzano Rosso, 95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot, Costa Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy, 2016, $20 (B)
70. Domaine Émile Grelier, 100% Merlot, Bordeaux Superérieur, 2012, $20
71. Koyle Royale Cabernet, 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 4% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, Los Lingues, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2016, $25 (B) (V) (AW)
72. Erasmo Barbera Garnacha, 70% Barbera, 30% Garnacha, Maule, Chile 2016, $17
73. Petit Verdot, Los Lingues, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2016, $25 (B)
74. Parco Naturale Red Blend, 34% Aglianico, 33% Nero di Troia, 33%, Montepulciano, Andria, Puglia, Italy, 2017 $12 (B) (V)
75. Quivira GSM, Wine Creek Ranch, Dry Creek Valley 2015 $36 Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre (B)
76. Les Hauts de Lagarde Bordeaux, 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, AOC Bordeaux, 2016 $14 (V)
77. Baglio di Grisi, Nero d’Avola, Sicily 2015 $14
78. Ventisei Rosso, 45% Sangiovese, 33% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, Tuscany, 2017 $18
79. Albet I Noya “Curiós”, Tempranillo, Penedès DO, Spain, 2017, $13
80. Valori Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Montepulciano, Abruzzo 2015 $15
81. Pierre-André Jaunin, Le Brigantin, Blend Pinot-Gamay-Merlot, St-Saphorin, 2016, $15
82. Stellar Organics Shiraz, Western Cape 2018 $10 (V)
83. Stellar Organics, Pinotage, Western Cape 2018 $10 (V)
84. Il Borro ‘Borrigiano’, 35% Syrah, 40% Merlot, 25% Sangiovese, Valdarno di Sopra DOC, Tuscany, Italy, 2016 $19
85. Querciabella Chianti Classico DOCG, Sangiovese, Tuscany, Italy, 2015, $37(B) (V)
86. Maris Rouge, Syrah, Languedoc, France, 2016, $14
87. Chateau Grand Corbin-Despagne, Saint-Emilion 2006 $32 (Biodynamic)
88. Chateau Maris ‘La Touge’, Syrah-Grenache, Minervois La Livinière AOP, Languedoc France, 2016, $18
89. Natura, Pinot Noir, Casablanca Valley, 2014 Chile $12
90. Koyle Gran Reserva Carmenere, 85% Carmenere, 10% Tempranillo, 5% Petit Verdot, Los Lingues, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2016 $17 (B) (V) (AW)
91. Inkarri Estate Bottled Bonarda, 100% Bonarda, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, 2017, $14 (B)(V)
92. Tenuta di Ghizzano, Veneroso, 70% Sangiovese 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, Terre di Pisa DOC, Tuscany, Italy, 2014, $30 (B)
93. Tarantas Tempranillo Crianza, 100% Tempranillo, DO Valencia, Spain, 2015 $11 (V)
94. Chateau La Mothe du Barry La Cuv a Mon Loup 2015 $13 (B)
95. Cline Family Cellars, Farmhouse Red California 2017 $11
96. En Memoire du Malbec, 100% Malbec, AOC Bordeaux, 2016 $15 (V) (AW)
97. Terra Viva Pinot Sangiovese, Marche, 2017 $12 (V)
Rosè & Orange Wine
98. Keeler Estate Vineyard, Skin Contact “Orange” Pinot Gris, 100% Pinot Gris, Oregon, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, 2017, $24 (B) (AW)
99. Jean Leon, Rosè, DO Penedes 3055 2017 $15
100. Stellar Organics, Rosè, Western Cape 2018 $10 (V)
101. Bonterra Rosè 2017 Mendocino County Rose $15
102. Natura, Rosè, Rapel Valley, Chile 2013 $12
103. Château Léoube’s 2015 Côtes de Provence Rosé, $20
104. Pablo Claro, Special Selection, Rosé, VdT Castilla, Spain, 2018, $18 (B)
105. Lobetia, Rosé, VdT Castilla, Spain, 2018, $10
106. Ventisei, Rosato,100% Sangiovese, Tuscany, 2017, $18
Sparkling and Dessert Wine
107. Monte Rossa, P.R. Brut, Franciacorta, Italy, NV, $33
108. Keeler Estate Vineyard Vintage Brut (80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir) Oregon, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, 2017, $30
109. Ferrari Trento Brut, Chardonnay, Trento DOC, Trentino, Italy, $27
110. Sella & Mosca, Torbato Brut, NV Alghero DOC, Sardinia, Italy, $25
111. Albet I Noya “Petit Albet” Brut Reserva, Macabeu/Xarel-lo/Parellada, Classic Penedès DO, Spain, 2016, $16
112. Jo Landron Atmospheres, Brut Certified Organic Sparkling Wine, Domaine de La Louvetrie, Loire Valley, France $23
113. Fiorini Lambrusco di Sorbara Corte degli Attimi, Lambrusco, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, 2016 $20
114. Catherine and Pierre Breton Vouvray Brut “La Dilettante”, Vouvray Brut, Loire Valley, France, NV, $25 (B)
115. Albet I Noya “Efecte” Brut Reserva, Macabeu, Xarel-lo, Parellada, Chardonnay, Classic Penedès DO, Spain, 2016, $20
116. Pizzolato Fields Prosecco, 100% Glera, DOC Prosecco, Veneto, Italy, 2017 $13 (V) (AW)
117. Domaine Didier-Cadé Crémant d’Alsace Brut Nature Rosé, Crémant d’Alsace, Alsace, France, $29 (B)
118. Domaine Francis Boulard Champagne “Le Murgiers” Brut Nature, Champagne, France, $50
119. Old World Winery, “Early Harvest”, 100% Abouriou, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California 2015 $35 (B)
120. Maschio, Organic Prosecco Extra Dry, Treviso DOC, Non- Vintage, $15
121. Pizzolato Paloma Rose Secco, 95% Glera, 5% Raboso, Veneto, Italy, 2017 $16 (V)
122. Trentodoc Maso Martis Extra Brut Rose’, 100% Pinot Noir, 2014, $50
123. Pere Mata “Cupada” Rosé Cava, Catalunya, Spain 2014 $19
124. Château Climens, Barsac, 100% Sémillon, 2015, $80
125. Château du Seuil, 100% Semillion, Cérons, 2014, $28 (B)
126. Fonseca Terra Bella Organic Reserve Porto, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, Tinta Amarela; Douro, Portugal, NV, $22
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