Neil Palmer, founder of Vintage Roots, recaps on eight organic alcoholic drinks which shone in 2022
2022 has been an eventful year in many ways, to say the least. For the organic drinks industry, there’s really been no shortage of innovation and product quality, and we continue to be impressed by the organic products that come our way.
Some key trends for organic drinks this year continue to be: no sulphur added; so-called natural wines (which are gradually becoming better regulated as organic/biodynamic wines are); and vegan too, which a lot of certified organic wines already are.
We’re pleased to see that organic and biodynamic wines are continuing to make a name for themselves as well, with quite a few of ours having picked up decent awards and medals this year.
The benefits of selling alcohol and obtaining a license to do so
For retailers, although it comes with a cost, obtaining a license to sell alcohol can be advantageous. Without surprise, for many shops and retailers, the decision comes down to a cost-benefit analysis, along with space availability too of course
It is true that obtaining an alcohol license isn’t as easy or straightforward as it used to be, however there are obvious benefits. Extra sales, new customers and providing unique offerings that may be hard to find elsewhere (such as organic, natural and vegan selections) are the benefits that we hear our retailers speak most of.
For England and Wales, more information about obtaining an alcohol license can be found here; for Scotland more information is available here.
The crème de la crème: eight special organic drinks to wrap up 2022
Domaines Paul Mas Cuvée Secrète Chardonnay No Added Sulphur 2020/21
An award-winning no-sulphur-added organic Chardonnay from France’s esteemed Languedoc region that’s bright gold with intense pineapple, mango and melon aromas combined with vanilla and toasted notes. It’s both rich and mellow with a very good acidity and very good length.
Best served at 10/12°C with shellfish and fish, white meat or mushroom dishes.
This Chardonnay won gold at the 2022 Challenge Millésime Bio (2020 vintage) and received 90 points/silver at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards (2021 vintage).
Wild Thing Prosecco
The Wild Thing wine range – which includes an organic Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé and Prosecco – have been developed in association with the Born Free Foundation.
For every bottle sold, a donation is made to the wildlife charity. With notes of pear and a touch of peach, this Prosecco is delightfully easy to drink. Being Frizzante instead of Spumante, the bubbles are softer but still bring lift, freshness and a casual sense of celebration.
It also comes in a handy reusable flip-top bottle that customers tend to love.
IGT Rosato Toscana New Day Rosé 2021
An elegant organic rosé made from Sangiovese vines grown on musician Sting and Trudie’s Tuscan estate Il Palagio, which dates all the way back to 1530.
It has a beautiful pearl pink colour and a kaleidoscope of smells and flavours that harmonize on the palate.
Notes of stone fruits and aromatic spices, with long and harmonious flavours of peach and cherry.
Another Tuscan treasure from Sting and Trudie (their entire range is worth exploring) that was even featured on the BBC’s Saturday Kitchen recently.
Hoopoe Nero D’Avola/Syrah
Named after a stunning bird that’s found in unpolluted areas of the countryside, along with vineyards, the Hoopoe Nero D’Avola/Syrah was developed by us in partnership with an organic winemaker in Sicily whom we know very well.
Ripe and juicy, this organic red is a perfect balance of the soft, berried native Nero D’Avola, with a touch of gentle spice and backbone from 25% Syrah.
Ideal for tomato-based pasta dishes, pizza, pub favourites and more.
Vinca Organic Red
This new canned organic wine is from London-based wine company Vinca, which sources its organic wines from Sicily. Its Vinca Organic Red is made with 80% Nero D’Avola, Sicily’s champion red wine, and 20% Frappato, a rare-find grape from Sicily too. The Vinca range also includes a white made from Catarratto, another local varietal, and a rosé made from 100% Syrah. The chic Vinca cans are also 100% recyclable.
St Nicolas de Bourgueil La Ferme des Fontaines 2019
Although ‘natural wines’ aren’t typically regulated, this unique 100% Cabernet Franc is both organic and certified Vin Methode Nature.
Made by the Cabernet Franc maestro Xavier Amirault, it has no sulphur added, which has allowed for this grape to be expressed in its purest and most profound form.
A vibrant textured delight with deep plum and floral aromas with tastes of raspberry and herbs. This natural wine (2020 vintage) also picked up an impressive 91 points from Decanter.
Walcher’s Coffee Liqueur
Espresso martinis have been quite popular for quite a few years now, and this rare organic Coffee Liqueur from Walcher in northern Italy is the perfect addition to cocktails of all kinds.
Both organic and fair trade, it’s made with a blend of coffee beans that provide a rich body along with a unique and delicate coffee flavour. The addition of organic sugar cane to this beautifully bottled liqueur also provides balanced sweetness without being cloying.
River Cottage with Stroud Brewery’s Organic ‘Stinger’ Nettle Ale
This novel nettle ale is a collaboration of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage and B-Corp-Certified Stroud Brewery in Gloucestershire. It’s made using locally foraged nettles, organic barley malt, organic oats, organic hops and yeast, resulting in tingly citrusy and zesty notes.
This herbal organic ale is part of a brightly canned trio that also includes an organic ‘Hopful’ Better Bitter and a ‘Hopful’ creamy ale.
These eight bottles and cans here are but a selection of the many outstanding organic and biodynamic wines and drinks available on the market today. If you’re a UK based business, do not hesitate to be in touch ([email protected]) for more information about any of the products we’ve highlighted here or other products we stock.
Now let’s raise a glass to the makers of these products and the inspiring innovation in the organic drinks industry today!
