News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Lisa Bell
Crescendo Communications
303-527-0203; lisa@crescendocom.com
Natural Merchants Introduces the First No Sulfites Added
Certified Organic Spanish and Italian Wines
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (April 8, 2010) –Natural Merchants, LLC, with headquarters in Grants Pass, Ore. and Cartagena, Spain, proudly introduces Spartico Spanish NSA Tempranillo, and La Cantina Pizzolato Italian NSA Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rosso Convento—the first USDA Certified Organic No Sulfites Added (NSA) wines from these countries available for nationwide distribution. The wines are the first in the Natural Merchant’s portfolio to carry the USDA Certified Organic Seal. The suggested retail price for each is $13.99-15.99.
According to a recent study conducted by UCLA's Magali Delmas, associate professor at the Institute of the Environment, and Ph.D. student Laura Grant at the University of California at Santa Barbara, many wineries have some sort of an “eco-certification” but few wineries actually use an eco-label. Consumers are eager for quality, NSA organic wines, but have not necessarily been satisfied with the quality of those wines due to the lack of sulfites which often serve as stabilizers. Ms. Delmas says she “suspects that wines made from organically grown grapes are better than conventional products from a quality standpoint.”
“NSA certified organic wines have grown in popularity in the United States and now consumers will have unique, high quality choices they can purchase with confidence,” said Edward Field of Natural Merchants. “We are thrilled to be able to offer our customers the first Spanish and Italian NSA Certified Organic wines.”
Spartico Organic Tempranillo is made from Spain’s most prominent and popular Tempranillo grape without the addition of any sulfites during production. Spartico is crafted by Bodegas Iranzo — Spain’s Oldest Estate Bottled Winery, with evidence of vineyard production dating back to 1335. Bodegas Iranzo, in the Utiel-Requena D.O. region of Spain, is one of first in Europe to receive organic certification and the first in Spain to receive USDA NOP certification. Francisco Gabaldón, the exclusive winemaker for Bodegas Iranzo, is also the Director of the most prestigious School of Enology in Spain Escuela de Viticultura y Enología de Requena.
La Cantina Pizzolato Cabernet Sauvignon NSA, Merlot NSA and Rosso Convento (50/50 Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon blend) wines (Piave DOC) were developed by Settimo Pizzolato, a 5th generation winemaker. La Cantina Pizzolato estate is located in the rich and flourishing countryside in the north of Treviso, Italy. The NSA wines are developed using classic red vinification without the addition of sulfites. The best and healthy grapes are rigorously chosen and picked by hand. The fermentation is activated with selected yeasts and skin at a low temperature. The wine is then filtered and stored in steel tanks with a controlled temperature to avoid possible oxidations.
What is Certified Organic NSA Wine?
All wines in the Natural Merchant’s catalogue are Made with Organically Grown Grapes, but most have a small amount of sulfites. Wines labeled as “Certified Organic” must contain no added sulfites and any naturally-occurring sulfite levels must be under 10 parts per million (ppm).
Sulfur dioxide, a compound formed from sulfur and oxygen, occurs naturally during fermentation in small quantities. Bodegas Iranzo and La Cantina Pizzolato have developed proprietary methods to ensure the wines’ stability as well as outstanding vintages.
“It took us several years to perfect a winemaking process that would create a quality and stable wine without the use of any added sulfites,” said winemaker Francisco Galbardón. “We are elated with the resulting Spartico, a soft classic Tempranillo with a rounded tannic finish.”
“We began working with NSA wines in 2007, which turned out to be a very good vintage for NSA Cabernet Sauvignon,” said winemaker Settimo Pizzolato. “We knew that without great grapes we could not have a good wine without sulfites. We continue to work in the vineyards every day to give the plants the best conditions that ensure healthy grapes for our NSA wines.”
About Natural Merchants
Natural Merchants, LLC is one of North America's leading Importers and Distributors of the finest natural and organic foods and wines direct from the European and Mediterranean regions. The Natural Merchants Selections program highlights more than 150 carefully selected wines from Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, France 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.
Selections from the Natural Merchants’ portfolio of organic wines can be found in natural retail stores and accessed through traditional U.S. wine distributors across the country. For more information visit www.naturalmerchants.com.
