My Favorite Natural Wines Under $15!
If you’ve been searching for some new organic, biodynamic wines to try- look no further, I am here to break it down so you can find that perfect pairing! The majority of my favorite wines come from Trader Joe’s and I have no shame in admitting that. I appreciate a rich, delicate glass of wine just as much as the next chick, but I prefer to not spend over $10-15 for it. Partly, because I’m broke and partly because my Portuguese roots have proven to me that an incredible bottle of wine doesn’t need to cost $50. I will warn that as of right now, there is only one white (rose) wine on my list as the rest are reds……oops.
Let’s first break down the difference between organic and biodynamic.
ORGANIC WINE
Organic wine involves farming grapes without the use of chemicals. Though naturally occurring sulfites are present in organic wines, there are no added sulfites. This means the wine has to be certified organic. If the bottle just reads “made from organically grown grapes”, it could potentially have added sulfites in it if it is not certified. Confusing, I know. As a general rule, I choose wines that are farmed using organic grapes or even choose a “natural wine” because many wines are not *certified organic and natural wine is always organic.
BIODYNAMIC WINE
Biodynamic farming involves a holistic approach, meaning taking into consideration the whole ecosystem. This farming system also takes place without chemicals, but considers local environment, lunar cycles, use of natural soil conditioning + fertilization, grazing rotations, etc. this also means the wine wasn’t manipulated with yeast or other ingredients and created with biodiversity of soil in mind. This is ideal for the health of the planet because the lack of pesticides and a wider variety of plants improves soil quality which in turn reduces pollution and toxic runoff. The government doesn’t certify a wine as biodynamic, an independent Demeter organization does. If a wine is biodynamic, it has met the standards of an organic wine, just without the organic seal.
So which is better!? While they are both a more obvious “health conscious” decision when choosing a great wine- biodynamic wine seems to be better for us AND the planet. It is tough trying to locate biodynamic wines, so I have a couple on my list below that you can check out yourself! I will say, its tough to really notice the difference between an organic and non organic glass of wine, but I have noticed that some conventional wines do have a bit of a sweeter aftertaste, almost like there was added sugar in my glass. I have also noticed a cleaner, crisper finish with an organic or biodynamic wine and no hangover! **This is probably because these wines have less sugar + sulfites ;)
SULFITES
Sulfites are used as a preservative + additive in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The reason why we want to avoid too many sulfites is because they “induce a range of adverse clinical effects in sensitive individuals, ranging from dermatitis, urticaria, flushing, hypotension, abdominal pain and diarrhea to life-threatening anaphylactic and asthmatic reactions”. They can also exacerbate skin and respiratory problems. Now, most people are not very sensitive to them, however; severity of reactions varies from person to person. All in all, I aim to consume as little toxins as possible and if there’s wine that I can enjoy affordably without increasing my toxic burden- I’m in! I hope you enjoy these wines as much as I do! Don’t forget to tag me @8thwonderhh and use the hashtag #8thwonderwomen so I can hear about your experience.
Happy drinking ya beauts!
Love and health,
Ro
Natura 2017 Rosé- $9.99, Total Wine. Organic, sustainably farmed. This one was refreshingly delicious. Complete with raspberry and floral notes and an easy fruity finish. I pair this with a white fish, chef’s kiss!
Grower’s Reserve 2018 Merlot- $7.99, Trader Joe’s. This is hands down my favorite Merlot. On the nose it smells like dark berries, on the palate you get blessed with notes of oaky vanilla and even a bit of spice. This is exactly what I look for in a red. GO GET SOME.
Nero d’Avola Sicilia Red- $7.99, Lidl. It’s an easy drinking, organic biodynamic Italian wine called Nero d’Avola which means “the most important red wine grape in Sicily”. You can drink alone or paired with chicken/ pasta dish. It’s got sweet tannins and a plum + peppery finish.
Bonterra 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon- $11.99, Trader Joe’s. Raspberry notes with a touch of oak and a bright cherry finish. Balanced acidity. We enjoyed this with warm roasted veggies over rice.
Frey Field Blend Biodynamic Red- $14.99, online here. Tastes like a hint of honey nut with a silky dryish finish, very unique tasting but good. Pairs well with grilled seafood!
V;, V. H. (n.d.). Clinical effects of sulphite additives. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19775253/
*Although I am a CHNC (Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant) please note I am not a Doctor, medical professional, therapist or lawyer. I do not intend to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure disease. My blog posts are for informational purposes only and intended to motivate and empower readers to make their own nutrition and health decisions after consulting with their health care provider. The information I provide is not intended as medical advice, nor as diagnoses to determine treatment for a medical condition. Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods or supplements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Consult a licensed medical doctor prior to taking any supplement or modifying any medication regimen for contraindications.