For wine drinkers, the biggest question may no longer be red or white, but green or not?

Organic wine has been showing up on more and more shelves and more and more dinner tables. In 2005, sales of organic wine grew to an astonishing $80 million dollars, and the Organic Trade Association predicts 17 percent growth in the industry through the end of next year.

Connoisseurs and amateurs alike will notice a different taste from organic varietals. That's because they contain less sulfite dioxide, a common preservative. Conventional wine contains 100-150 parts per million, while organic wines usually register less than 35. That's good news for the 1 in 100 Americans who suffer from sulfite sensitivity.

Not only is organic wine better for you, it's the eco-conscious choice--

and how often do you make good decisions while drinking? Most modern

farming uses generous doses of pesticides, creating a toxic residue which pollutes the soil and water. Over 2 million pounds of herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and other chemicals were dumped over Napa County grapes alone. So bring a bottle of organic wine to your next dinner party, and

you'll have one more reason to raise a toast.

Sick of sipping sulfites? Browse the ample organic selections at PCC or Madison Market, or check the shelves at your favorite local shop. Look for labels that note organically grown grapes, biodynamic farming practices or even Salmon-Safe certification. And buying from local wineries will further lower your wine's carbon footprint, so take advantage of the Northwest's top-notch producers!