Organic is like Brittany, it wins you over! On the other hand, in this region it is rather cider that melts hearts, so let's take a look at the French regions that produce the most organic wines.
A good climate to produce a good organic wine
Have you ever grown herbs in your garden or on your balcony? For the magic (or rather nature) to work and for the harvest to be productive, good climatic conditions are needed . By growing chives in winter, you may be disappointed, and your plant will not dare to point the tip of its nose.
At Oé, the team comes from all over France, some come from the south, others from the north, and when we talk about the weather, we almost wonder if we all come from the same country. Emilie 's accent speaks for her, we feel the sun and we hear the mistral in her words while Thomas tells us about his mild winters and the oceanic climate of Nantes. The vegetation of each region is also a good indicator to understand that the sun, the rain and the ambient air are very different from one place to another. The maquis and crickets of Provence present a completely different setting to the green grass, apple trees and cows of Normandy .
The cold of the cold winter makes it possible to clean up the soil , a slightly rainy spring offers a good refreshing shower to the vine before spending its summer basking in the pill in the sun to be ready for the harvest period . The great favorite of the vine is the Mediterranean climate which, unsurprisingly, perfectly fulfills all the criteria it needs to feel good. In the southern regions, the seasons are well marked and in summer offer ideal sunshine to ripen the good organic grapes .
When the climate is more difficult for the vines, the winegrower makes sure to provide his plants with the care and protection they need. It is sometimes easier and more effective, especially in the short term, to use conventional and unnatural methods to deal with common diseases like mildew in humid regions . Does this name speak to you? This is normal because the potato blight crisis had caused an unprecedented famine in 1840. Since then, winegrowers and farmers have been vigilant and taken their precautions. It is easier to work organically in an area where the climatic conditions are ideal for growing vines .
To protect the vines from diseases, the labels authorize organic winegrowers to use natural products such as copper . The specifications also authorize during organic winemaking other natural products such as sulfur to stabilize the wine. Since 2012, to be certified organic , the wines are monitored from cultivation to bottling . A real plus to ensure you have a healthy and responsible drink.
Rest assured, the vines find their place in all the wine-growing regions in which they are planted and the winegrower adapts the grape varieties grown to the region so that it can grow in the best conditions. You will mainly find Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Burgundy , Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in Bordeaux or Syrah and Grenache in Languedoc-Roussillon . In addition to specific grape varieties , some regions have essential viticultural techniques such as the famous vinification of Champagne , a prestigious wine recognized worldwide. Our Crémant d'Alsace also has the particularity of being bottled in its region of origin , in addition to being vinified there, in order to bear its appellation.
The most organic wine producing regions
Let's not make the suspense last longer, the French wine region that produces the most organic production is unsurprisingly Languedoc-Roussillon . With more than 20,000 hectares of vines cultivated in organic farming , this region has the palme d'or, or rather the golden vine, for organic wine. This region alone represents a third of the organic vineyard , impressive isn't it? The favorable climatic conditions are a good boost, but above all we must highlight the involvement of all the winegrowers and the will of the communities to work for healthier and more responsible vineyards . The proof is, every year is held in Montpellier, in the department of Hérault, the legendary Millésime Bio de Montpellier fair . Fx and Valérie went to meet the organic winegrowers and carried the colors of Oé high. Relive this moment with them through this article .
The PACA region (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) , shares both the south of France with Languedoc-Roussilon but also the podium. It is proud that the PACA region is positioned in second place in the ranking. Neighboring soil and values, it is in these beautiful sunny regions that our rosés, Le Corbières and Le Méditerranée are produced. The lavenders of Provence probably give heart balm to the winegrowers and the biodiversity present in this region is a real asset for producing good organic products. Yes, the weather is very important, as is biodiversity and the care given to the land . We've written a few articles about it if you're interested:
Biodiversity law, bees and neonicotinoids
Oé, we are launching the “Oé for biodiversity” program
Wetlands, an ally for vine biodiversity
Dry stone walls and scree: a shelter for biodiversity
The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region should not be ashamed of its third place, especially since the department of Gironde is at the top of the race for organic vineyard areas , just ahead of Hérault . We love going to visit our Oé winegrowers because the landscapes are magnificent, the hospitality of the people of Bordeaux is a delight and the weather is often ideal. Our white Bordeaux produced fraternally by Pascal and Nicolas and our red Bordeaux produced lovingly by Véronique and Franck , are very lucky to be pampered in western France. To tell you the truth, thanks to the grass even the hens want to share a piece of land so much they feel good there.
The region is redoubling its efforts to improve organic viticulture and meet a rapidly growing demand. In 2019, areas under organic viticulture and conversion accounted for 14% of French vineyards and demand is constantly increasing, which motivates winegrowers to take the step. The wine sector has reason to be proud of its evolution, so all together, let's support our French organic winegrowers who are making this transition and buy organic. Drinking organic wine means supporting responsible agriculture that respects the earth and is healthier for our bodies. Discover our article on sulphites to understand the positive effect of organic wine on your headaches.
We have presented to you the top 3 of the most productive regions in organic wines but you can find organic wineries , biodynamic estates and natural wine vineyards everywhere in France . From wine without appellation to AOP via IGP , there is bound to be an organic wine to make you crack. Do not hesitate to share your best organic wine experiences with us on our social networks!
Discover our organic white wines , organic red wines and organic rosé wines to treat yourself and share good times with your loved ones .
