Our organic favourites, a selection of good wines

Our pick of organic wines in the range at Systembolaget, the Swedish alcohol monopoly

At some journalist tastings the organic products sometimes receive quite a bit of a beating. Sometimes it seems as if organic wine start on the track with minus points from the outset. Yes, there are some dull wines among the organic. But it is just the same thing among the “conventional” wines.

There are also very good and interesting examples among the organic wines. Here are our favourites – among what is currently available at the Swedish retail monopoly. Many of these wines will also be available on many other markets. (And as a side effect, it will also show you how limited the wine selection can be on a monopoly market.)

Our list of some of the best organic wines at Systembolaget

“Standard and temporary range” at the Systembolaget

Domaine FL Le Chenin 2010

Anjou, Loire Valley, 109 SEK (1 SEK = 1.17 EUR)

We are not spoiled with chenin blanc wines from the Loire Valley in Sweden at Systembolaget; not quite as rare as a hen’s teeth but almost. This is a really nice wine, quite dry, with good freshness and acid as it should be with chenin blanc.

Chablis Vieilles Vignes Domaine Sainte Claire 2011, Domaine Brocard

Chablis, 169 SEK

A classic Chablis with clean delicate aromas of citrus and apples and a healthy and sharp acidity.

Chablis 2010, Domaine de la Boissonneuse

Chablis, 159 SEK

The wine is made by Jean-Marc Brocard’s son Julien. Boissonneuse is a separate vineyard on Brocard’s large property which is managed organically by Julien. A classic Chablis but with more body and richness.

Zuccardi Viognier 2012

Mendoza, Argentina, 80 SEK

Zuccardi is a big family company in Mendoza, growing a wide variety of grapes. Viognier does well in Mendoza. This one is a little flowery and with a certain body. Goes well as an aperitif.

Château Pech-Latt 2011

Corbières, France, 95 SEK

One of our absolute favourites under 100 SEK. Pech-Latt is an estate of over 100 hectares in the Languedoc and one of the first in the region to be organic. The wine is typically Languedoc. It has spices and wild herbs, good fruit and slightly rough finish. Very good food wine.

Mas Louise 2010 Domaine Duseigneur

Cotes du Rhone, 89 SEK

Also a favourite under 100 SEK. 50% grenache and 50% syrah give very much of a Rhone-feel with spices and fruit. The wine is quite soft but with good acidity.

Novas Winemaker’s Selection Syrah Mourvedre 2010 Viñedos Emiliana

Colchagua, Chile, 134 SEK

Biodynamic Emiliana is headquartered in Casablanca near the coast of Chile, but has vineyards in many different parts of the country. The grapes in this wine are from the beautiful Colchagua Valley. The wine is a blend of two powerful grapes. It offers generous fruit, a little tar and leather, a bit of chocolate and vanilla. Soft tannins and a good overall impression.

Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenere 2011, Viña Cono Sur

Colchagua, Chile, 89 SEK

Cono Sur manages some of their vineyards organically but have a “environmentally friendly” approach on the entire property. This is wine reminds me of an autumn forest and dark berries, a good wine with personality.

Domaine Gauby Les Calcinaires 2010

Côtes du Roussillon, 189 kr

I find it incredible that this excellent wine is still on the shelves of Systembolaget after having been launched in the “temporary range” about a year ago. A lot of syrah and mourvèdre gives body and richness. Domaine Gauby’s “natural” way to work (few additives and low sulphur content) also puts its mark. Plums, herbs and some “animal” character.

“On Order” range

Chateau Maris Old Vine Grenache 2008

Minervois, Languedoc, 229 SEK

Englishman Robert Eden works with extremely low yields which makes for a lot of concentration in the wine. Dark berries, density and texture. Good fresh acidity that balances the high alcohol contents.

Antarès 2009 Domaine Duseigneur

Lirac, Southern Rhône, 165 SEK

Organic, and biodynamic, wine from a very ambitious producer. Clean, nice fruit, rich in aromas.

Montirius Garrigues 2010

Côtes du Rhône, Vacqueyras, 184 SEK

Montirius is another biodynamic vineyard. Just as the name suggests in this wine there are aromas from “la garrique“, thyme, rosemary, juniper…

Albet in Noya Lignum 2010

Spain, Penedes, 109 SEK

Albet i Noya in Catalonia were launched early in organic farming. Here we have a blend of cabernet sauvignon, grenache, merlot and syrah. Fruity and unpretentiously good.

Paul Dolan Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009

California, Mendocino County, 139 SEK

Paul Dolan is a pioneer among California’s organic wineries. A spicy wine with a bit of aniseed, plums and black currant. A hint of oak.

What are your favourites? Write a comment!