Organic wine sales are booming, with wine retailer Cellarmasters quadrupling its organic wine range in the last 12 months alone.
“A couple of years ago we would only have a handful of wines from organic producers, but they weren’t marketed as being ‘organic’ as there was very little interest at the time,” said Christine Ricketts, Cellarmasters Cellar Director.
“However, in the last 12 months we’ve seen a huge surge in demand and supply of organic wines. Organic wines are free from chemical pesticides, and organic farming practices treat the environment more fairly.
“Many experts also believe organic wine tastes more vibrant than conventional wine, so there are many reasons to try organic wine if you haven’t already.”
Cellarmasters invited Drinks Trade to an organic wine masterclass at its Surry Hills headquarters this week.
Ricketts revealed at the masterclass that “drinking green” when it comes to red, white and rosé wine has never been so popular. She also dispelled the myth that organic wines are expensive.
Although organic wine may have been more pricey five or 10 years ago, this is not the case anymore. As organic wine has become more accessible, so have the price tags.
According to Ricketts you can often get a bottle of organic wine for the same price as conventional wine. She said Cellarmasters has good organic wines from about $15 per bottle.
Ricketts ran the group through seven of her favourite Cellarmasters organic wines:
Perelada Stars Organic Cava 2017
Nose: clean, with fruity notes and marked ageing notes
Palate: ripe fruits, with a hint of nuts and a good balance
Hermosa South Australia Albarino 2019
Nose: Lifted pear, citrus, fresh clean fruit salad
Palate: well balanced acidity, crisp finish
Best Of Both Worlds Organic Chardonnay 2017
Nose: Fresh and fruit-driven aromas of citrus and nectarine with subtle creamy notes.
Palate: Stone-fruits and citrus flavours build to a pleasingly round mouth-feel before being carried to a dry finish by fresh acidity.
Paxton Pollinator Rose 2018
Nose: Fragrant lift of rose petal, strawberries and watermelon.
Palate: Bright fruit driven palate with subtle plum, cherry and guava flavours, followed by a zesty finish with balanced minerality.
Zonte’s Footstep Organic Rosé 2019
Nose: Showcases aromas of blackcurrant and red grapefruit.
Palate: Rich varietal flavours while retaining good acidity and ripe tannins.
Mil Historia Organic Grenache 2017
Nose: Red fruit flavours (raspberry and strawberry) with a subtle, white pepper spice note.
Palate: Red fruits, jams, fresh and full body. Good acidity and freshness. Clean and long at the end. Well balanced, oak perfectly integrated.
Mount Horrocks Nero d’Avola 2017
Nose: Redolent with juicy red berry fruits and spice notes.
Palate: Cherry and raspberry, rosemary and bay leaf underpinned by lovely gentle tannins and appealing softness.
To shop organic wines, Cellarmasters has a wide range available.
