Page 20 -

โครงการหนังสออเล็กทรอนกสด้านการเกษตร เฉลมพระเกียรตพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว
ิ
์
ื
ิ
ิ
ิ
International Seminar on Biodiversity and Sustainable Development in the Mekong River Basin 9

methods and have begun to convert their operations. The French term ~terroir~, defined as “the
total natural environment of any viticulture site,” it is the interaction between geography, geology
and climate of a site and the genetics of the plants which grow there. Terroir is particularly
important in wine production because it affects taste and flavor, both essential properties of a
finished wine (EU Rules for organic wine production-iFoam Eu group). For the development of
an integrated products certification system for wine is necessary to implement specific measuring
farming techniques with respect to biodiversity, ecosystem preservation, soil characteristics and
greenhouse gas emissions.
European Legislation. In 1991, the first European regulation on organic food production
was introduced (Regulation (EEc) no 2092/91). Wine is a fundamental element of the European
lifestyle. While wine was one of the earliest traded and regulated food products in Europe (the
common market organization for wine was the first to be completed), the writing of legislation for
production of organic wine has been a lengthy and halting process. In June 2004, the commission
launched the European Action Plan for organic Food and Farming that included an action to
consider the need for an organic winemaking regulation. In 2009 the 1991 EU Organic Regulation
was then overhauled and replaced by regulation (EC) no 834/2007 (applicable from 1st January
2009), which introduced organic wine in the scope but gave no details about it in the implementing
rules. Beside the organic certification and standards defined in the EU Regulation, it is possible to
define private standards with additional detailed production rules. Private standards will aim to
strengthen the following aspects of viticulture and oenology: Biodiversity in grape production;
Attention to soil fertility and soil life; Alternative approaches to pests and diseases; Sustainability
of grape production and wine processing and storage; Quality and source of wine ingredients,
including further limitations on enrichment and requirements for ingredients to be fully organic;
Quality of yeasts, including wild yeasts and spontaneous fermentation; Further limitations on
additives and further reduction or total ban of sulphites; Further limitations on processing
techniques; Requirements or limitations on tools and equipment. Wine is dynamic and rapidly
evolving areas of European agriculture and food. Within the wine sector, organic production
arguably represents the greatest concentration of innovations and ideas. The investment rate in
organic vineyards and wineries is high, as is competition on quality. Wine is a prosperous sector
and organic offers interesting market opportunities by virtue of its identity. However, it is relevant
to promote improved agricultural production practices through raising awareness and pioneering
biodiversity best management practice for farmers. This would enhance the suitability of vineyards
as habitat for biodiversity; reduce farming practices that have negative impacts on biodiversity
features both in the vineyards and in surrounding natural areas, thereby strengthening effective
management of surrounding natural areas.
Sustainability in organic wine production. For the development of an integrated product
certification system in wine, it is increasingly relevant measuring the effects of farming techniques
with respect to biodiversity, ecosystem preservation, soil characteristics and greenhouse gas
emissions. Soil organic matter levels it is an indicator of soil quality, and biodiversity as an
indicator of ecosystem health. Other indicators as: energy used on farm in electricity and fuels;
global warming potential (gWp), related to the emission of greenhouse gasses; water footprint,
defined as the volume of fresh water used to produce the product, measured over the full supply
chain.
Rules for European Organic Wine. Organic wine must be made of organic ingredients.
Organic grapes need to be obtained according to the crop production rules as set out in organic
regulations (Ec. no 834/2007 and no 889/2008). The new organic wine regulation provides

9