Organic estate since 2005 AOP Fronton

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Website & orders 06 50 93 88 25 Estate 05 63 30 13 13

Website & orders06 50 93 88 25 Estate05 63 30 13 13
Château Saint Louis, AOP Fronton, IGP Comté Tolosan. Independent winegrower, organic farming.

The Wine Workshop

Organic wine and sulphites

What organic changes in the vineyard, in the cellar and in the glass: sulphite limits compared, and seven common beliefs put to the test.

The European rule

How much sulphite at most?

Maximum dose of total sulphur dioxide, in milligrams per litre, for dry wines.

  • Conventional wine
  • Organic wine
Dry red wines

150 mg/l

100 mg/l

50 mg/l less in organic

Dry white and rosé wines

200 mg/l

150 mg/l

50 mg/l less in organic

Seven common beliefs

True or false?

  1. 1 An organic wine contains no sulphites.

    The answer

    False. Organic rules lower the permitted dose of sulphites; they do not ban them. And fermentation naturally produces a small amount.

  2. 2 The grapes for an organic wine are grown without synthetic chemical pesticides or fertilisers.

    The answer

    True. That is the principle of organic farming, inspected by a certification body.

  3. 3 Organic only concerns the vineyard, not the cellar.

    The answer

    False. Since 2012, the European rule on organic wine also governs winemaking: permitted additives, banned practices, sulphite limits.

  4. 4 An organic wine is inspected at least once a year.

    The answer

    True. An approved certification body inspects each estate at least once a year; for Château Saint Louis, that has been Ecocert, since 2005.

  5. 5 A wine with no added sulphites may carry the statement « Contient des sulfites » (contains sulphites).

    The answer

    True. Fermentation produces a small amount of sulphites; from 10 mg per litre, the statement is mandatory.

  6. 6 The AB logo is enough to recognise an organic wine.

    The answer

    False. The EU organic logo, the star-leaf, is mandatory; the French AB logo is optional and comes in addition.

  7. 7 Sulphites are used to protect wine.

    The answer

    True. They protect it from oxidation and unwanted bacteria. That is why they are used, even in organic wine, at a reduced dose.

In the vineyard

Organic farming rules out synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilisers. The vines are protected by authorised means, such as copper and sulphur, and the soil is maintained by mechanical cultivation and organic fertilisers. An approved certification body inspects each estate at least once a year.

In the cellar

Since 2012, the term « vin biologique » (organic wine) also covers winemaking: the list of additives is shorter, some practices are banned, and the sulphite limit is set lower than for conventional wine.

In the glass: sulphites

Sulphites protect wine from oxidation and bacteria. Fermentation naturally produces a small amount: a wine may therefore carry the statement « Contient des sulfites » (contains sulphites) even if none has been added. Organic rules do not ban sulphites; they lower the maximum dose.

Organic, natural, no added sulphites: the differences

Organic wine is defined by European rules, in the vineyard as in the cellar, and inspected every year. “No added sulphites” means that no sulphites were added during winemaking, whether the wine is organic or not. “Natural wine”, finally, has no definition in European rules: the term generally refers to a wine made with as little intervention as possible, and few or no added sulphites.

Why the words “Contains sulphites”?

Sulphites are among the substances that can cause allergies or intolerances which European rules require to be declared on the label. For wine, the statement is compulsory from 10 mg per litre, whether the wine is organic or not. It is aimed first at people who are sensitive to sulphites.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions

Does organic wine contain sulphites?

Yes, as a rule, but the maximum permitted dose is lower: at most 100 mg per litre for an organic dry red, compared with 150 for conventional; 150 for an organic dry white or rosé, compared with 200.

How can you recognise an organic wine?

By the star-leaf of the EU organic logo, which is mandatory, along with the code of the certification body. The French AB logo may be added as well.

Since when has Château Saint Louis been organic?

Since 2005. Its 30 hectares of vines are certified organic by Ecocert.

What does “no added sulphites” mean?

That no sulphites have been added to the wine. It may contain a few milligrams produced by fermentation, and must carry the statement « Contient des sulfites » (contains sulphites) from 10 mg per litre.

Is organic wine sulphite-free?

No. Organic rules lower the maximum dose of sulphites, they do not ban them: 100 mg per litre at most for a dry red, 150 for a dry white or rosé. An organic wine can, however, be “no added sulphites” if the winemaker added none.

What is the difference between organic and natural wine?

Organic wine follows European rules, from vineyard to cellar, inspected every year by a certification body. “Natural wine” has no definition in those rules: the term generally refers to a wine made with very little intervention, and few or no added sulphites.

Why are sulphites added to wine?

To protect it from oxidation and unwanted bacteria, from the vat to the bottle: they help it keep its fruit and travel well. Organic rules allow them, at a reduced dose.

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Three bottles from the estate, certified organic and sold direct, to share Fronton wine with the people around you.

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