All the medal-winning wines from the Global Organic and Vegan Masters 2022

The trend for making wines in harmony with nature has spread around the world. In our Organic and Vegan Masters competition, the judges were impressed by the breadth and quality of offerings. By Patricia Stefanowicz MW.

With climate change the new global reality, wine drinkers are looking at ways to support the ecology of the planet. What better way than to eat and drink green? As many wine producers and wine merchants will attest, it’s not a hard sell.

This year’s Global Organic and Vegan Masters features a wide range of producers from both New and Old worlds, and almost every sphere imaginable. There is plenty of excitement about the warmer regions of France, Spain, Italy and Portugal, areas in which it is easier to grow grapes without using agro-chemicals. Without quite so many diseases to account for, more natural inputs – and fewer of them, too – are possible. And the natural chemicals, copper and sulphur, can control the majority of diseases.

Biological controls, such as pheromones or natural predators, are also used, especially against insects, where the ‘good bugs’ take care of ‘bad bugs’.

Warmer climates in much of the southern hemisphere – Australia, South Africa, Argentina, and Chile – are becoming increasingly organic in their approach. Flying the flag for cooler climates, New Zealand and western Canada manage to use organic and biodynamic viticulture. And a surprising number of producers in cooler and damper European regions, such as the Loire, Champagne, the Veneto, and England, are learning how to look after their vines organically.

What is truly enticing about the Global Organic and Vegan Masters is the diverse range of styles and regions featured. The entries blind-tasted by our judges demonstrate the prolific nature of high-quality wines from Languedoc-Roussillon, Jumilla in Spain, and warm parts of South Australia, especially. Champagne, also, is strong, and Italian and Greek regions were all notable for mulching in with innovative green ideas.

Inevitably, organic wines are just a little pricier, because grape yields are lower, and the labour required is a little higher, but one has to consider whether ‘greener ’ means ‘better’? Most consumers and winegrowers would answer yes.

The judges awarded Gold medals across various price points, although the sweet spots were undoubtedly the £10-15 bracket and the over £20.

Conscientious consumers and commercial buyers should be reassured that there are plentiful green wines to be found at affordable prices that not only taste great, but will help you do your bit for the planet.

White Sparkling

Still White Unoaked

Still White Oaked

Still Rosé Unoaked

Still Rosé Oaked

Still Orange Unoaked

Still Red Unoaked

Still Red Oaked

Red Fortified