Grapes of Wrath

Wine’s Chemical Dependency

Many consumers are not aware of the fact that grapes are one of the most heavily sprayed crops on earth. The government advises us to wash and peel vegetables to avoid chemical residues but who’s going to peel a grape?

When pesticides are sprayed on to the grape skins they end up as a residue in the wine. In addition to contact pesticides, there are also systemic pesticides, which penetrate the plant and end up in the grape pulp. Fungicides are used extensively and even kill the natural yeasts necessary in winemaking so that cultured yeasts have to be used instead. Sulphur Dioxide is added as a preservative and stabilising agents such as potassium ferrocyanide, synthetic citric acid & even colouring agents. Fining agents can include bentonite, gelatine and casein. Even the corks are treated.

The impacts of chemical dependency are felt well beyond the glass. A toxic brew of fertilisers, soil sterilisers and herbicides contaminate the groundwater, kill wildlife and practically everything else except the grape vine. No wonder we get a hangover!

Fortunately more and more vineyards around the world are turning to organic production methods. The soil is cultivated and cover crops are grown instead of applying herbicides. Natural fertilisers such as composted animal manure is used instead of chemical fertilisers and beneficial insects are encouraged to replace the need for chemical pesticides.

During organic winemaking, processing and filtering is kept to a minimum and chemical additives are banned. Sulphur Dioxide levels are a fraction of that in conventional wine and wild yeasts remain present for fermentation.

A wide range of organic wines from all over the world are available at As Nature Intended on Chiswick High Road. Prices start from only £5.49 per bottle, and a 10% discount is given on purchases of more than 6 bottles. The range also includes beers and lagers and even organic champagne and spirits.