We often ask ourselves this question: Why should we eat organic food? For our health? For the planet?
Organic wines are wines produced according to the precise specifications of the organic farming label. These specifications prohibit the use of chemical pesticides and chemical fertilisers. The only natural inputs added to the vines to protect them from disease are copper and sulphur, known as sulphites.
As for natural wines, they are made from grapes grown using organic or biodynamic methods. The latter are hand-picked and vinified without the use of synthetic or chemical products (such as sulphur) and with a minimum of human intervention in the cellar.
Motivations for consuming organic
Here are the top 3 reasons for consuming organic:
- For health
- For the environment
- For quality and taste
Organic preserves the health and well-being of the animals: they have access to the outdoors and a standardised space as defined in the specifications of the organic label (and are not piled up without seeing the light of day or able to move around in sheds). They are treated with herbal medicine and homeopathy, which in turn affects our own health.
Organic preserves the environment: as organic farming guarantees food grown without synthetic chemical fertilisers or pesticides, the impact on the biodiversity of our countryside (preservation of bees, water and soil) is necessarily positive.
Organic preserves quality and flavour: Organic fruit and vegetables are usually harvested when they are ripe, which allows them to retain more of their flavour.
They also contain less water and more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
The aim of organic wine is to reduce the use of these sulphites without compromising the preservation of the wine. First of all, wine is sensitive to oxidation. This is due to the bacteria that are incorporated into the wine during the maceration process. To prevent it from turning into vinegar, sulphites, especially sulphur, are added. These small molecules kill unwanted yeasts and bacteria to protect the wine and maintain its quality.
Percentage of organic consumption in France
In 5 years, not only the consumption of products, but also the habits have almost doubled (in fact, 13 billion euros since 2017).
This means that 5 out of 10 French people consume at least once a week. 14% of them consume organic food on a daily basis.
In addition to the “take care of yourself” argument, we can recall that there are several concrete cases that prove the benefits of consuming organic products.
In general, 84% of consumers of organic wine say that it is more enjoyable to drink than non-organic wine.
The taste aspect, however, is a little more nuanced. According to 44% of consumers, there is little difference in taste between organic and non-organic wine.
46% think there is a gap in favour of organic, while 10% think non-organic wine tastes better.
Organic consumers
Young people seem to be more engaged and attached to the fight for the environment. In 2021, and this trend will undoubtedly continue in the years to come, the main consumers of organic products will be under 35 years old. In fact, 72% of 18-24 year olds and almost 80% of 25-34 year olds consume it regularly or even daily.
Everyone has different concerns. For example, more than 60% of 18-24 year olds want to avoid waste, and 30% of them are concerned about global warming. 40% of 25-34 year olds want to control packaging by reducing plastic and 35% want to respect animals.
Today, consumers prefer to buy organic products in supermarkets. Indeed, distributor brands often offer new references at prices much lower than those found in specialised shops. But while this may be true for older consumers, it does not change the fact that younger generations prefer small brands, especially those closer to home where they have direct contact with producers.
As has been the case for several years, the consumption of organic products has increased significantly. Whether it’s the health crisis or simply the desire to pay more attention to their diet, more and more French people are buying organic and their numbers will continue to grow. The range is diversifying and gradually adapting to demand, offering products from all sectors, not just food. Food, cosmetics and household products are among the priorities of consumers. The latter generally belong to Generation Y or Z, but the fact remains that more and more older people are concerned about the future of our planet. As for young people, they are more concerned about the environment than they were ten years ago and are encouraging their parents to eat better. Organic is no longer just a fad.
Finally why choose organic ?
After all, having fun, sharing a good organic meal and a drink with friends and knowing how much good we are doing for the planet is extremely satisfying. So which Ethic consumer would you choose?
We wanted to create EthicDrinks with the idea of acting and developing ethical wines, beyond organic. Our products are for everyone. Quality and taste are at the centre of our concerns, as well as respect for the environment! We sincerely believe that we can make the world a better place by protecting the environment. It is necessary to shake up our daily lives, which will bring about changes in this winemaking universe.