At French Living we are keen to feature an increasing number of wines that are healthier and more respectful of the environment. Here is a quick overview:

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Organic wines The purpose of organic is to restore life in the vineyard and to encourage biodiversity. No chemical pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides in the growing process. No artificial products in the wine making process (since 2012)

Biodynamic takes this a stage further. It is based on a series of preparations and remedies designed to stimulate and enrich the living organisms in the soil. Biodynamics is also about finding natural solutions to natural problems; it is holistic and pre-emptive and about discovering a natural balance in the vineyard. Ancestral lunar and solar rythms are taken into  account. Natural practices are implemented (eg: quartz crystals spread in the vines to stimulate sun reflection; natural compost preparations to fertilize and encourage depth of roots)

Natural wine is the ultimate stage. It involves making the fewest number of physical interventions during the winemaking process. This means fermenting with the natural yeasts in the vineyard (rather than bought-in yeasts), no temperature control, no added acid, or sugar or tannins or flavouring, no filtering or fining, and adding the bare minimum (or zero) sulphur dioxide (used to prevent oxidation)