By
Last Updated: Mar 17, 2026Organic Wine
Organic Wine
Organic wine is made from grapes grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or fungicides, according to the principles of organic farming. Organic winemakers focus on soil health and biodiversity, using natural fertilizers, compost and cover crops in the vineyards. Organic wines require certification by bodies such as the USDA that ensure that 100% organic grapes and limited additives (such as sulfites) are used. In the US, an “Organic” wine must have no added sulfites, while the EU allows added sulfites in limited quantities.
See Also
Brut
Brut is the French term for dry sparkling wine with very low sugar content: specifically less than 12 grams per liter (g/L) of residual sugar.
Natural Wine
Natural wine is produced with minimal intervention, using organic or biodynamic grapes and little to no additives, synthetic chemicals, preservatives or artificial yeasts. There is no legal definition for natural wine and it is often described as a winemaking philosophy, rather than a strict style.
Dry Wine
A dry wine is a wine that contains very little to no residual sugar, resulting in a flavor profile that lacks sweetness. It is defined by sugar levels (often under 4g/L) and not by mouth drying tannins.
Marsala
Marsala is a fortified wine produced from indigenous grapes in Sicily, Italy. It is fortified with grape spirits and typically has 15-20% alcohol by volume.
Sec
'Sec" refers to the French word for "dry" and its meaning in wine varies depending on the wine type. In still wines, sec wines have very little residual sugar (less than 4 g/L), while in sparkling wines and Champagne, "sec" indicates an off dry or slightly sweet style with 17-35 g/L of residual sugar.
Doux
Doux is the French term for "sweet", representing the highest and sweetest classification level in French wine (>50 g/L residual sugar).
Dessert Wine
Dessert wine is any wine with high residual sugar, often served in smaller, chilled glasses as a dessert or with a dessert. They typically feature high acidity, with some being fortified with spirits.
Cava
Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine produced in Catalonia using the traditional method just like Champagne. It is typically dry, with zesty citrus and apple flavors.
Products you may find interesting
