6 4 SPRING 2020 FOOD & DRINK
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Ever puzzled over the differences between organic, natural
and biodynamic on wine labels? Read on for our clear
explanations—and check out emblematic choices of each style.
By Charlene Rooke | PHOTOGRAPHY BY darren kemper
Are the people around you talking about drinking more low-intervention, low-sulfite,
organically grown, biodynamically farmed or skin-contact wine? Surprisingly, many
buzzwords like this, sometimes seen on wine lists or labels, don’t have global-
standard definitions, so it can be hard for the entire wine industry to agree on what
they mean to consumers. While Biodynamic and Sustainable certifications are just
gaining regulatory steam, certified Organic standards are set and upheld by various
bodies around the world, which guarantees you’re drinking a wine that lives up to an
international benchmark. Read on for a primer in what choosing these wines means.