5 Eco-Friendly Wines $25 and Under

How green is that wine you're drinking?

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Photo: Brandon Laufenberg / Istock

By Karen Berner

You don't have to be a devout oenophile to appreciate wines that have been produced organically and by clean farming methods. Here's a short list for choosing wines for $25 and under that were either made with sustainably or organically grown grapes, are from organic or USDA-certified organic vineyards or were made without aid of animal-derived ingredients.

Quid Pro Quo on Eco-Friendly Wine Terminology:

Made with Sustainably Grown Grapes: Wines that are produced with sustainably grown grapes are from vineyards that use environmentally sound practices and maintain the long-term health of the land instead of depleting it for short-term gain.
Made with Organic Grapes: If you choose a wine that's labeled "Made with Organic Grapes," it means the wine contains at least 70% organic ingredients and that some added sulfites were used in the process of wine making. This takes the sustainable aspect of growing a step further and includes assurance that the grapes were grown without use of pesticides or chemicals. Cover crops, mulch, beneficial insects and composting are used in the growing process.
Organic: Organic wines contain at least 95% organic ingredients from certified operations and no added sulfites were used in the wine-making process.
Vegan Wines: Many wines are produced using animal-derived ingredients as a part of their filtration process, to remove impurities and yeast used in the fermentation process and sometimes to adjust tannin levels. A vegan wine ensures that animal-provided gelatin, egg whites and milk proteins are not used in the process of making the wine.

Sparkling Wine:
1. Cava Brut Reserva (Vegan), Can Vendrell, Penedes, Spain, NV — $19.99 Tasting notes: Somewhat dry, flavors of green apple, pear and almonds.
Whites:
2. Sauvignon Blanc, Frog's Leap (Organically Grown Grapes), Napa Valley, CA, 2005 — $17 Tasting notes: Clean mineral tastes, stone fruit flavors with aromas of citrus and stone.
3. Pinot Gris, Ponzi Vineyards (Sustainable), Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2006 — $17 Tasting notes: Creamy texture on the tongue, exhibits a long finish with flavors of fresh ripe pears and figs.
Reds:
4. Syrah, Frey Vineyards (Organic), Mendocino County, CA, 2003 — $11.25 Tasting notes: Smacks of blackberry, plum and clove flavors. Known for its earthy finish and tartness.
5. Zinfandel, Coturri (Organically Grown Grapes), Sonoma Valley, CA, 2003 — $25 Tasting notes: Known for its "port like" style, intense ripe berry flavors and well-balanced acidity.