Two concepts, two worlds
Organic wine and natural wine are often used interchangeably, but they are fundamentally different. Once you understand the difference, you will also understand why we at Lekker Sapje are so deliberate in our choice of winemakers for our range.
Organic wine: it’s all about the grape
Organic wine has an official EU certification. It means the grapes are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or artificial fertilizers. In the winery, however, all kinds of additives are still permitted: commercial yeasts, enzymes, and relatively high doses of sulfites (SO₂) as a preservative.
So, organic refers to the work in the field, and not necessarily to what happens in the cellar. However, most organic winemakers work with native yeasts and aim for the lowest possible sulfite levels. This is possible if you work very cleanly and carefully. And nowadays, work in the cellar itself is also covered by the organic certification.
Biodynamic wine: a step further
Biodynamic wine goes a step further. It is a holistic farming method where the estate is viewed as a closed ecosystem. Producers such as Herbert Zillinger, A&M Tissot and Domaine Labet in the Jura, or producers in the Loire, work biodynamically — with attention to the lunar cycle, home-made compost, and minimal intervention. Read more in our article about biodynamic wine.
Natural wine: minimal intervention
Natural wine is not an official certification, but a philosophy. The rules are simple: organically or biodynamically grown grapes, hand-harvested, wild (indigenous) yeasts, no or minimal sulfites, and no additives or processing in the cellar. What you get in your glass is the pure expression of the grape and the terroir.
Natural wines can be cloudy, slightly sparkling, or unexpected in flavor — and that is exactly the point. They are alive, unpolished, and authentic.
Our choice
At Lekker Sapje, we select producers who work with respect for nature and terroir. Many wines in our range are organic, biodynamic, or fit within the philosophy of natural wine — even if they do not carry an official label. View our organic and biodynamic wine collection for an overview.
