Organic wines offer flavor, good value

One thing you can expect from an organic wine is that it should be a true expression of the fruit, with very little interference from outside chemicals. Here are several organic wines worth highlighting:

• Fonseca “Terra Bella” Reserve Porto — This ruby port wine from Portugal is relatively new to the U.S. market and is outstanding. This is one of the best values in the list of wines here. This organic port is deep ruby red, and bursts with flavors of plums, raspberries and blueberries, with hints of strawberries and black currants that evolve into coffee and other earthy aromas. It has just a hint of sweetness, but drinks like a fine red wine. This wine costs about $20 to $23.

• Sterling Vineyards 2007 Mendocino Organic Chardonnay — This classic white wine from California is loaded with citrus flavors that jump right out at you with a lemony zing, followed by hints of peaches and apples. It costs about $10.

• Santa Julia 2008 Organica Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon — This red wine from the Mendoza region of Argentina is a fantastic example of how an organic wine doesn’t have to taste any less amazing than a regular wine. This is full of flavors of black cherries, currants, plums and spices. It should cost about $10.