APPLIED TECHNOLOGY, MARKETS AND PRODUCTION ATTITUDES OF “ORGANIC” WINE PRODUCERS IN EUROPE

Within the ORWINE project, a VI FP project funded by EU Commission to obtain scientifically based recommendations for the development of an EU “organic wine” regulation, a wide survey among organic wine producers throughout Europe was carried out at a first instance. The survey was based on a internet questionnaire and a set of in-depth interviews. The survey was first carried out via internet in order to touch as many producers as possible. The questionnaire, composed of a total of about 30 questions, was made available in 5 languages and proposed through several national producer Associations. Most of the hot issues of the internet survey have also been developed in the in-depth interviews, which were run later on 78 producers from 10 different countries. The results define an interesting picture of how presently the European organic wine producers make and sell wine: size of the production units, major clients, export share, most common grape diseases, available equipment, additives and winemaking practices, SO2 management in white and red wines. Moreover, the survey asked for opinions and production philosophy, allowing us to draw a broad picture of the present status of organic wine production in Europe and future regulatory needs and constraints.