Natural Merchants has receives Non-GMO Project Verification for 29 core wines imported from Europe. Yeah!

If you don’t know, I’m a huge Non-GMO wine proponent. Who knows where these experiments will go, and honestly, we’re the guinea pigs. That just boils my butt… I’ve got kids and grand kids who have problems with digestion. No-one in my childhood had to go through any of these gluten free problems. I mean NO-ONE. Now, in the last 20-30 years, it’s been a nightmare. Since we are what we eat, we can trace that right back to our food supply.

Source: GMO Compass (link no longer available)

Argument: There are no GM wine grapes in production.

Fact: There are no approved GM wine grapes currently in production, but multiple field trials have been conducted in the US and the EU on the benefits of developing GM grapes for wine production. The trials looked at genetically modifying grapes to be resistant to fungus, bacteria and viruses, as well as herbicide resistant, more tolerant to colder temperatures and which have a modified grape size. Seven field trials for GM grapes vines were conducted between 1994-2010 in France, Italy and Germany, and 59 others in the US, Canada, Australia and South Africa.

So, good on ya, Natural Merchants! thanks for not only taking this step, but also letting the world know about opposition.

Non-GMO wine – Score!

From Natural Merchants’ press release:

Natural Merchants, LLC, based in Grants Pass, OR and Cartagena, Spain, announces the Non-GMO Project Verification of its core portfolio wines, the first wines imported from Europe to obtain the verification. Natural Merchants works with family-owned wineries throughout Europe to produce USDA Certified Organic No Sulfites Added Wines, as well as wines Made with Organically Grown Grapes. Five of the winery partners, located in Italy, Spain, Austria, France and Greece are participating in the Non-GMO Project Verification.

“Consumer demand for non-GMO products has increased dramatically in the United States, as an estimated 80% of all packaged goods are now genetically engineered,” says Edward Field, President of Natural Merchants. “The demand flows over into wine and other alcoholic beverages and we are delighted to offer the first ever wines from Europe to be Non-GMO Project Verified.”

The initial 29 wines that are Non-GMO Project Verified include:

• Italy-La Cantina Pizzolato-USDA certified organic no sulfites added Merlot, Cabernet, Rosso Convento and Prosecco; Pizzolato Fields Prosecco, Pizzolato Moscato, Pinot Grigio, Stefany Prosecco, Frederik Spumante, Merlot and Cabernet
• Spain-Bodegas Iranzo-USDA certified organic no sulfites added Spartico; Tarantas Tempranillo Crianza; Tarantas Bobal Rosé, Sparkling Rose and Sparkling White; VERTVS Tempranillo Crianza, Tempranillo Joven, Tempranillo/Cabernet and Bobal Rosé
• Austria-Biokult-Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Noir/Zweigelt Red, Zweigelt Rosé, and Rosé Secco
• France-Vignobles Raymond-Les Hauts de Lagarde Rouge and Blanc, USDA certified organic no sulfites added Le Petit du Chateau de Lagarde
• Greece- Domaine Gioulis-Sofos Red and White

The verification is granted by the Non-GMO Project, a not-for-profit organization committed to preserving and building sources of non-GMO products, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices.

Non-GMO Project Verified status indicates that the brands adhere to consensus-based best practices for avoidance of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which are organisms whose natural genetic material has been altered through engineering techniques. Natural Merchants winery partners will proudly display the Non-GMO Project Verified badge on shelf tags so that consumers can easily identify the products.

As consumers continue to seek healthier food options, the concept of genetic modification of ingredients has come into the spotlight. While purchasing certified organic products is a substantial step in working toward a non-GMO diet, organic manufacturers and importers are going the extra step to obtain the Non-GMO Project Seal to give consumers additional peace of mind.

All Natural Merchants winery partners utilize only indigenous “wild” yeast fermentations in their wines, and do not “inoculate” the wines with the addition of yeast during production. Indigenous yeast fermentation starts by itself when wild yeast strains – originating in the vineyard – start fermenting. Only Bentonite clay, a naturally occurring mineral, is used as a fining agent. Both preclude any possible contamination by GMO sources and also make the wines vegan friendly.

Organic and natural foods grocer Whole Foods Market has announced that all products in their U.S. and Canadian stores must be labeled to indicate whether they contain GMOs by 2018. 12 of the core wines that are Non-GMO Project Verified are currently available in Whole Foods Market stores nationwide.

The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit organization committed to preserving and building the non-GMO food supply, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices. We believe that everyone deserves an informed choice about whether or not to consume genetically modified organisms. For more information visit www.nongmoproject.org.

The Natural Merchants Selections program highlights more than 150 carefully selected wines from Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, France, Greece and Portugal, grown in unique organic terroir, each vineyard producing clean, fresh superior wines that are both good for the earth and tantalizing for the palate. For more information visit www.naturalmerchants.com.

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It’s great to know we have choices…. And, I’m happy to list them on my blog, here; so, when I want a non-GMO wine, I only have to search on Non-GMO wine.