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Labels in Wine

Wine Labels in France

In France, when you look at a wine label, you can read a multitude of information and logos. Among them, labels are often present on the bottle to inform the consumer about the type of viticulture practiced. However, with the number of labels (which sometimes overlap), it's easy to feel a bit lost! Don't worry, in this guide, we will help you see more clearly by detailing each label. Organic wine, sustainable agriculture, biodynamic wine, or vegan, you will become an expert on the different labels, certifications, and logos displayed on your wine bottles.

Sustainable Agriculture Wine Labels

For winegrowers and producers who wish to minimize the use of phytosanitary products to the strict minimum without completely eliminating them, there are two labels in France:

Label Terra Vitis
The Terra Vitis label is an association comprising over 1,800 estates, cooperative cellars, and trading houses. The goal of this label, reserved for the wine world, is to promote agriculture that is more respectful of life. The winegrower must record each of their practices in a notebook and be able to explain them. The use of chemical products can only be justified if the harvest is in danger.

Label HVE: High Environmental Value
The HVE label (High Environmental Value) guarantees a moderate use of pesticides, herbicides, or chemical products. This certification is only accessible to winegrowers committed to preserving biodiversity on their estate and demonstrating good water resource management.

Organic Wine Labels

An organic wine is a wine made from grapes grown (and vinified) according to the principles of organic farming. This means the prohibition of synthetic fertilizers or chemical products (pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, fertilizers, etc.) in the vineyard. In the cellar, only natural oenological inputs are allowed.

Organic Farming Label
The AB (Agriculture Biologique) label certifies that no synthetic chemical product was used during the cultivation of the vineyard and the winemaking process.

European Organic Label
The leaf logo is the equivalent of the AB label (in France), but recognized across the European Union.

Nature & Progrès Label
Some winegrowers, believing that the Organic Farming label does not go far enough, prefer to turn to stricter private organizations. This is the case with Nature & Progrès, which is less tolerant of added sulfite doses and the presence of GMOs than the AB label. Furthermore, Nature & Progrès certification is only accessible to estates cultivating all of their lands organically.

Bio Cohérence Label
Bio Cohérence is a private label also created by producers who found the AB label's specifications too lenient. Like Nature & Progrès, the label requires estates to be entirely cultivated organically and prohibits any chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and GMOs.

Biodynamic Wine Labels

A biodynamic wine is a wine made according to biodynamic principles. This means replacing chemical products with the use of natural preventive preparations (plant-based) intended to invigorate the soil and protect the vines from potential diseases. The winegrower must follow the biodynamic lunar calendar and limit the number of inputs (including the dose of sulfur) at each stage of the wine-making process.

Demeter Label
To obtain the Demeter label, the wine must already be certified organic and then comply with all the clauses of the Demeter specifications for viticulture. This involves the exclusive use of biodynamic preparations to fertilize the soil and treat the vines (copper and sulfur are often replaced by mixtures such as horsetail infusions or nettle manure). The allowed added sulfite dose is also limited.

Biodyvin Label
Unlike the Demeter label, the Biodyvin label is solely reserved for viticulture. It certifies that the vineyard is cultivated organically and according to biodynamic principles. In the cellar, certain oenological practices are prohibited or regulated.

Natural Wine Labels

The definition of natural wine is still subject to debate. However, to provide a simple definition, it is a wine produced from organic (or biodynamic) grapes, and vinified without inputs, and without added sulfites (or with a very limited residual sulfite content in the bottle).

AVN: Association of Natural Wines
This association is one of the first to have promoted natural wines. It certifies a wine made from organic or biodynamic grapes, with no inputs or additives added.

SAINS Wines (Without Any Inputs or Added Sulfites)
If the characteristics of a SAINS Wine are essentially the same as those of an AVN Wine, the label emphasizes the human dimension of its winegrowers. Indeed, the adhering winegrowers develop a spirit of mutual aid and a participative and friendly environment rather than a competitive one.

Natural Method Wine Label
The Natural Method Wine label charter differs from the two previous associations by allowing a small amount of added sulfites (up to 40 mg/l of total SO2 for white and rosé wines, and 30 mg/l for red wines). According to the concerned winegrowers, this ensures better wine stability without impacting consumer health.

Other Labels

There are also other labels such as:

Independent Winegrower Label
The Independent Winegrower label is a collective brand that assures the consumer that the winegrower makes their own wine from the vine to the cellar. The winegrower commits to cultivating their vines with respect for their terroir and managing the sale of their wine themselves.

Vegan Label
A vegan wine is a wine produced and made without any animal (or animal-derived products) being used during the vine work or the winemaking process. The use of a draft horse to plow the lands or animal-derived products for fining (egg whites, pork gelatin, fish glue, milk casein) is strictly prohibited in favor of other practices.

No matter the label, at Avenue des vins, we offer white wine, red wine, rosé wine, and champagne directly from the estate or château of your choice. Each estate is selected with the utmost care, and our wines are available for delivery directly to your home. Whether you choose an organic, biodynamic, vegan, or sulfite-free bottle of wine, discover our bottles at the best price!