About Organic Red Wine
Organic red wine is made from grapes that are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. The goal is to produce wine with minimal intervention and a more environmentally friendly approach to farming. In organic wine production, only natural substances are used, and the wine is typically processed without artificial additives. Some key points about organic red wine: Grape Farming: Organic vineyards are often farmed using sustainable methods, with an emphasis on soil health, biodiversity, and minimal chemical use. Certification: Organic wines are certified by organizations such as the USDA (in the U.S.) or EU Organic (in Europe), ensuring that they meet strict organic farming and production standards. Sulfur Use: While conventional wines often contain added sulfites (which act as preservatives), many organic wines have little to no added sulfites, though some still use small amounts to prevent spoilage. Organic red wines can range from lighter, fruit-forward styles to more complex, full-bodied wines, depending on the grape variety and winemaking process used. Common red grape varieties for organic wine production include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Tempranillo.
About Rhone wines & Rhone style blends
The Rhone Valley is one of France's most spectacular wine regions. Set on the banks of the River Rhone, this incredible wine region features The Northern Rhone and The Southern Rhone. In the The Northern Rhone, the only permitted red wine grape is Syrah (Shiraz), whereas The Southern Rhone is mostly known for producing Grenache, with Shiraz and Mourvedre playing a supporting role. Syrah from the Northern Rhone is deeply coloured with high levels of tannin and ripe aromas and flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant and black pepper. Grenache from the Southern Rhone can be full-bodied, quite ripe and show spiced red fruit flavours such as cranberry and red plum. It also blends beautifully with Syrah and Mourvedre. Both regions also make beautiful white wines such as Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, as well as dry Rosé. However, the red wines from the Rhone Valley are distinctively powerful and they underpin the reputation of the Rhone Valley, around the world. So too, are the Rhone style red wines that produced in Australia, in regions such as The Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. The Rhone Valley has been a significant source of inspiration to Australian winemakers, who are also known around the world for making powerful Shiraz, Grenache or Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre (GSM) blends.
About Southern Rhone
The Southern Rhone is a very significant wine region in France, second only to Bordeaux, in terms of the quality and the volume of the wine it produces. Most of the Southern Rhone wines are complex blends that involve Grenache whereas the Northern Rhone wines feature Shiraz blends more predominantly. The Cotes du Rhone is a large wine growing appellation that sits within the Southern Rhone wine region. This is where the 'entry level' AOC wines (Appellation d'Origine Controlee), of the region are made, providing delightful and approachable red wines that are sold around the world. The climate in the Southern Rhone is classified as moderate to warm 'Mediterranean' due to the warmer winters and long, dry Summers. Grenache is the main red grape variety, comprising 2/3 of production in the Southern Rhone mostly because it is so hardy and it can withstand the drier conditions. In general, Grenache displays spiced red fruit such as raspberry, cherry, clove, white pepper and cardamom. The more sophisticated wines, from Chateauneuf du Pape, show aromas and flavours of licorice, leather, earth and garrigue. Historically, the region was also known for the number of Popes who were 'seated' in the region, hence the term 'Pape' in Chateauneuf du Pape.
About Vegan Red Wines
Vegan wines are made without the use of any animal products. During the winemaking process, wine often becomes slightly cloudy or opaque, due to floating proteins (along with tannins and tartrates). Sometimes, this corrects itself during winemaking process but often, winemaker needs to ‘fine’ the wine to clarify it. Fining agents such as eggs, fish oil or bone marrow are of course, animal derived. However, if the winemaker uses bentonite clay, charcoal, limestone or silica gel to ‘fine’ the wine, those products are not animal derived and the wine can be classified as vegan. This is becoming increasingly important to our customers and we are always on the look out for vegan wines.
