Organic red Italian wine is produced in a manner in which there are no harmful or negative effects on the environment. There are several organic Italian wines you can try and enjoy.
1. Romignano Chianti Naturale
Chianti Naturale from Fattoria di Romignano costs around $16 per bottle. The wine from the Chianti region contains 80 percent Sangiovese, 10 percent Canaiolo, and 10 percent Merlot. It also contains no added sulfites and meets all USDA requirements for organic wines. Flavors include red fruits, cherry, smoke, and tobacco.
2. Fattoria La Ripa Chianto Classico Riserva
Containing 90 percent Sangiovese and 10 percent Canaiolo, Fattoria La Ripa's Chianti Classico Riserva meets all USDA organic standards for sale in the United States. Across vintages and critics, it receives an 89 point rating, and David Lynch a sommelier at SommSelect describes the 2010 vintage as "Burgundian," which is high praise indeed. Flavors include raspberry, currant, and smoke to create a refined and flavorful wine in a wine with moderate to high acidity.
3. San Polino Helichrysum Brunello di Montalcino
This wine is made with organic grapes. It tends to receive critics ratings in the low to mid 90s, and it's widely available in the United States for around $50 to $80 per bottle. Expect classic Brunello flavors from this structured and bold Sangiovese with deep red fruits and balanced acidity.
4. Cupano Brunello di Montalcino
This big and bold red is made from 100 percent Sangiovese grapes. Cupano Brunello is difficult but not impossible to find in the United States, and you can expect to pay around $100 per bottle. For that, however, you'll find a well-received, highly rated, and flavorful Brunello with flavors of berries and cocoa.
5. Candoni Organic Merlot
The Candoni Organic Merlot from Veneto, Italy has classic Merlot flavors including cherry and black fruits. At just $11 per bottle, it's a highly affordable organic Italian red.
6. Barbera del Monferrato Nuova Cappelletta
If you're looking for a classic organic Barbera, then the Barbera del Monferatto Nuova Cappelletta is a good bet. Costing under $20 per bottle, this light and fruity wine is certified organic and vegan.
7. Rosso Toscano Casina di Cornia
This simple Tuscan red wine is perfect for every day sipping. The wine is a Chianti blend containing Sangiovese and other red wine grapes, and it is a balanced fruity easy drinker. Find Rosso Toscano for around $40 per bottle.
Understanding Organic Red Italian Wine
Just as there are numerous types of red wines from Italy, there are also many Italian winemakers who make a wide variety of organic reds.
- Organic wines must meet certain criteria to be labeled as such.
- In order for wines to be sold with an organic label in the United States, they must receive organic certification from the USDA and must not contain more than 5 percent per volume of prohibited substances as defined by the USDA.
- The wines also must be free of added sulfites.
- Wines may also be labeled as "made with organic grapes". These wines must contain 100 percent organically grown grapes, but other ingredients don't need to be organic and the wine can contain added sulfites up to 100 parts per million according to the USDA.
The Benefits of Organic Red Wine
Organic red wine and red wine in general has the following health benefits:
- Protects against heart disease and stroke
- Helps increase good cholesterol
- Lowers blood pressure
- Lowers bad cholesterol
- Helps prevent blood clots
- Organic red wines are higher in antioxidants than their non-organic counterparts. This means that the health benefits of red wine are increased in organic red wine.
Where to Buy Organic Wine
If you are having a difficult time finding organic Italian wine in your area, here are a few websites for you to browse.
- Wines of Interest - This company is based in the United Kingdom so if you decide to purchase wine, be aware of currency exchange rates.
- Natural Merchants - Find organic wines from all around the world here.
- Shoppers Vineyard - This website has a wide selection of organic wines from around the world.
Find Organic Italian Wines
In addition to trying the options listed above, consider a visit to your local wine merchant to ask the employees what organic Italian wines they recommend. With the wide variety of organic red Italian wine available, there is no reason why you shouldn't give one a try. They do not have less flavor or body and are just as elegant as non-organic wines. The price per bottle is not more or less expensive than the non-organics and by purchasing organic wine, you are supporting environmentally friendly, sustainable farming, which benefits everybody.
