Organic red wine, everything you need to know about its rise

The breakthrough of organic red wines in France

A few years ago, the production of organic red wine was confidential, the quality of the wines, although more environmentally friendly, did not reach the level of the best traditional red wines .

But recently, with the conversion of a large number of winegrowers to organic farming , and after years of experimentation and learning, new 100% organic vineyards are emerging, and the quality of production is improving year on year, to the great delight of modern oenophiles, who are as attracted by quality wines as they are concerned by environmental concerns.

This is particularly the case of Gérard Bertrand , winemaker, entrepreneur and visionary, who has succeeded in combining his passion for wine and the French art of living with deep ecological convictions. This son of a winemaker has thus developed for more than 20 years, a whole range of quality organic and biodynamic red wines , such as the vintages of Château l'Hospitalet , or Domaine de Cigalus . 

Find all our organic red wines and Gérard Bertrand wine collections.

The differences between a traditional red wine and an organic red wine

Differences in manufacturing method

An organic red wine is, as its name suggests, produced entirely from organic farming. 

The entire winemaking process thus complies with European AB certification. This certification includes both the vine cultivation phase, viticulture, and the winemaking phase, vinification. All inputs used for the vine, such as fertilizers or products used during vinification, are themselves certified organic .

Chemical fertilizers and other pesticides are obviously prohibited in the production of an organic red wine or the best red wine . Unlike a traditional red wine, an organic red wine provides consumers with guarantees regarding the strict observance of an ecological winemaking method, more respectful of flora and fauna.

Differences in tasting

When it comes to the final product, a good red wine is above all a question of people and know-how. The winemaker and the oenologist always have a prominent place in the creation of a quality red wine. We can thus highlight the work of Gérard Bertrand and his teams of talented winemakers and oenologists, who offer consumers high-end organic wines , such as the single-plot wines L'Hospitalitas , or La Sauvageonne , exceptional wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region. After having made this first selection on the quality of the producer, the taste differences between a traditional red wine and an organic red wine are numerous.

First of all, an organic red wine is a more delicate wine than a traditional red wine, which requires careful attention to ensure it delivers its full flavor potential. This fragility is due in particular to the much lower use of sulfites (sulfur).

Organic wine is therefore more digestible and better for your health. On the other hand, it is necessary to pay particular attention if you want to enjoy all its taste characteristics. An organic red wine needs to be opened one or two hours before tasting.

In terms of tasting, organic red wines deliver more finesse, with a very present balance between tannins, fruit, and alcohol. Organic red wines also generally have a lower alcohol content. By having more balance, they offer a broader aromatic palette, with flavors and aromas more focused on fruit, and less on sugar or alcohol.

Discover our various descriptive pages on red wine:

Organic Languedoc wine

THE red wine in the south of France or the best red wine

Demeter biodynamic wine

Also discover:

THE rosé wine or the best rosé wine

THE orange wine

And to discover the world and wines of Gérard Bertrand:

His wine estates of Languedoc Roussillon

The Gérard Bertrand family history and his know-how

There biodynamics

Or even for contact us