The wine market has been shaken by the emerging organic wine trend. Organic Winery in Australia has shown significant growth 9-10 years. With Europe, the leader of the pack many countries around the world are embracing this new trend. What with this trend, is organic wine good or bad? Let investigate..
Organic wine – new organic choice or commercial trick?
With the environment and general health as our concern, it is not surprising to know that Organic wine in Australia and overseas are picking upstream. Since 2011 to 2014 Australia organic wine grapes production has increased by 120%. This world trend of a greener planet and natural product has greatly benefited only winery, the organic farmer but also the consumer. That’s true for the wine industry and organic grapes which are seen as the most prevalent practice of sustainable agriculture. In addition, some wine merchants are promoting the bio-products, and find a harmonious method between the cultivation of crops and nature.
That is the reason why in recent decades, the term “organic” has become familiar. Australian organic farmer like David Bruer from Temple Bruer Wines and Stephanie Toole from Mount Horrocks Wines has shown great success not only business practice but business. This success was due to the world recognition of the organic method in protecting consumer health and safety. People living in the big cities has been seeking for the organic food which is naturally produced without any chemical intervention. It leads to the result of the appearance of organic wine, along with the normal wine. However, has organic wine gained the trust and appreciation of customers like other organic products have done?
What do people think about organic wine?
The public is still confused as to what is classified as organic wine
The prominent question rose from the term “organic” utilised. Many thought organic wine means that the wine is made naturally without any use of chemical, from the grapes to the process of making wine. But that’s not really the case. Organic wines, certified by USDA, don’t contain sulfites, an important additive that helps stabilise wine and stop spoilage. But wines that are produced with USDA-organic grapes are allowed to contain sulfites and are therefore more shelf-stable. This created a sense of confusion among the public, as to what can be called organic wine and what can’t. Thousands of customers choose to shake their head to organic wines, despite being organic-life enthusiast due to advocations of American-organic wine standards.
Luckily, the same double standards do not apply to Australian-certified organic wines. Defined as purely manufactured from grapes grown without artificial chemicals, these organic wines are the bare form of organic. Australian organic maniacs are free to go for a sip of their deserving wines.
Do people like the taste of organic wine?
Now the organic question is over, what about the taste? Some studies on public opinion show contracting results to the mentioned dilemma: 2012 Swiss study reflects that conventionally produced wine was more favourable than organic wine by the general public. A study in 2014 named, “Do you like organic wine?” provides the contrary: organic wines were much more well-loved by customers than conventional wine. The most recent article published by the Journal of Wine Economics in 2016 called, “Does Organic Wine Taste Better? An Analysis of Experts’ Ratings” also reveals organic wines gain much higher scores by the public than its counterpart. Additionally, a blind tasting among customers performed by 3 prominent wine-relating magazines presents favourable results towards organic wines. It is thus, safe to assume that in term of taste, the customers prefer organic wines.
There are favourable explanations for excellent taste too. Organically produced grapes require many labours, as the vines are well taken care of, weed and bugs removed by hand, harvest seasons be on time. In other words, more attention should be paid to the grapes while the yields tend to be lower. Therefore, better grapes are gathered with better favours, making better wines.
“Organic” and taste in question
Favoured views on organic products – with organic wines as an exception
Proven to have superior taste, readers for sure will think organic wine is a favourable choice among organic lovers and normal consumers. Reality is that it is not quite so! A painful truth has been unveiled by Professor Delmas from UCLA: more than 60 per cent of winemakers who make wines from organic grapes and certified as organic, do not label “organic” on their bottles. This comes as a big surprise, as products labelled as “organic” could be sold at a much higher price, therefore, better profit and economic results. What hinders the winemakers from better their business? The answer is that, while people are willing to pay extra costs for their organic choices, wines are, unfortunately, not on the list. And this phenomena occurs all over the world! A research conducted on consumers in four countries: France, the UK, Sweden and Germany shows customers’ reluctance to buying organic wines, as they only buy the products “from time to time”. Australian consumers, as previous research points out, “occasionally” (25% of times) consume organic wines.
The reasons explaining this behaviour vary. The market research in four countries mentions the hesitance from the customers comes down to high price and the lack of information about how much additional advantages organic wines may bring to consumers compared to conventional ones. A separate survey demonstrates that an average consumer would be willing to buy an organic wine bottle at the price of under $15. Any prices above that are regarded as ‘not suitable’, giving that the consumer is not sure of the product’s superior benefits. Similar causes are given in the two research conducted on Australian consumers in 2007 and 2010. Organic wines are often considered expensive, and the consumers are not really confident in its benefits compared to normal wines.
Specifically, a research conducted in 2008 gives out deep insight into organic wines market in Australia. There is a market for this segment of product, though not big. 14 per cent of Australian wine consumers values organic wines. This group of customers are bound to pay a price premium of $4.99 on several occasions, while average Australian wine consumers would only pay the premium of $0.25 for an organic wine bottle.
As many researchers have pointed out, knowledge play in important role in the consumption of organic wines. The confusion about organic wines caused the general public to react indifferently to the products. Customers, once they properly understand what benefit the product brings to them, will appreciate and be more willing to pay extra. The following section will, therefore, provide you with more information on organic wine benefits so that you can make appropriate choices for you and your family gathering.
The benefits of organic wine according to its customers
Better taste
Many people say that the organic wine helps them to feel more delicious when they eat: the beautiful colour of organic wine can stimulate the taste of them.
A big number of customers choose the organic wine because, for them, the aroma of the fruit and the taste of the wine will increase the appetite. Therefore they can freely use it as a healthy drink in their meals instead of limit it as traditional wine.
Consumers find organic wine extremely nutritious
Some customers asked while buying organic wine insist on the opinion that they have read information that this wine contains a variety of amino acids, minerals and vitamins, all of which are essential nutrients for the body. It can be absorbed directly into the body without going through the pre-digestive phase. For that reason, these users think organic wine is the quality product and appreciate nutritious value for the body
Especially some people even describe the organic wine as natural medicine for the sick. They ensure if you regularly drink a good amount of grape wine, it will be very beneficial for recovery.
Therefore, customers regularly drink organic wine with a moderate amount to prevent ageing and prolonging life. According to studies, those who have a problem with the digestion have been cured after consuming organic wine. Because the organic wine can help increase gastric by 120ml. It is good for digestion and prevention of constipation. So there is no any reason to refuse to organic wine as an effective method against the inflammatory bowel disease, because of its ability to regulate bowel function,
Good beauty preservation and ageing prevention
Many women said that they thought they looked more beautiful after drinking organic wine. Its components contain more phenol which only exists in wine and that can help lower the blood’s cholesterol, prevent harmful cholesterol, blood vessels, strengthen cardiovascular function and anti-ageing properties. Therefore many women choose organic wine as a tasty choice to preserve their beauty and youth
The benefits of organic wine
Organic wines are still a heating debate spot for consumers all over the world, even those who are actively engaging in living organically. Consumers have different views on the term “organic”, as well as the taste of the product compared to conventional wine, this leads to their resistance to support organic wine. The article also digs deep into customers’ behaviour towards organic wines and points out 2 fundamental elements affecting this wine choice. Organic wines clearly taste better and bear more benefits, both for you and the environment. Making wine choices? It’s up to you now. For more useful information about other organic products, please visit our websites at https://naturalorganicliving.com.au/.
