What is the difference between “Organic Wine” and wine “Made With Organic Grapes”?
The grapes we grow that go into wines we label as “made with organic grapes” are held to the same standards as grapes used to make “organic wines”. The only difference between the two categories is a decision to add a small amount of sulfur at the final stage of wine fermentation. Sulfur is a naturally occurring compound used to end fermentation, this ensures the wine does not continue to ferment after it is bottled.
Our wine is “made with organic grapes”, which means that USDA regulations allow us to use a small amount of sulfur to stabilize the wine just before it is bottled, ensuring a consistent, high-quality product every time. The sulfur we choose to add to our wines regularly falls below the regulated amount.
Regulations for “organic wine” do not permit use of any added sulfur. Because organic wine has no added sulfur/sulfites, it is often less consistent in taste and flavor and it ages poorly.
Is Bonterra Pinot Noir made with organic grapes?
Yes, Bonterra Pinot Noir is made with 100% certified organic grapes.
Are there sulfites in Bonterra's Pinot Noir wine?
Our winemakers have made the decision to use a limited amount of sulfites in our wines to ensure that the wine you open is the same quality and has the same flavor derived from our organic grape varieties remain consistent from bottling to opening. That's why our wines are labeled as 'made with organic grapes.'
The USDA’s “made with organic grapes” certification allows a maximum of 100ppm of sulfites in wines made with organic grapes – that’s less than 1/3 of the amount of sulfites conventional wines are allowed. The average total sulfites for Bonterra wines are between 70 to 90ppm, reflecting our commitment to both quality and the integrity of our grape selection.
The “organic wine” regulations do not permit use of any added sulfur. Because organic wine has no added sulfur/sulfites, it is often less consistent in taste and flavor and it ages poorly.
We recommend that you contact your physician regarding specific health concerns.
Do organic wines contain sulfur?
Yes, virtually every wine contains sulfur, including organic wines. Sulphur occurs naturally during winemaking as a by-product of fermentation.
Sulphur is used in winemaking to stop fermentation, so the wine does not continue to ferment once it is bottled. Our wine is “made with organic grapes”, which means that USDA regulations allow us to use a small amount of sulfur to stabilize the wine just before it is bottled. The sulfur we choose to add to our wines regularly falls below the regulated amount.
Does Bonterra Pinot Noir contain Glyphosate?
We actively avoid glyphosate. It is not used in our estate vineyards, nor in partner vineyards we source from.
What foods pair well with Bonterra's Pinot Noir
Bonterra Pinot Noir pairs well with dishes such as roasted beets with goat cheese, red quinoa salad, salmon panzanella salad, and mushroom pizzas. Explore recipes on our Bonterra blog.