AB, Demeter, AVN, S.A.I.N.S.: what is the difference?
On a natural wine label, the logos stack up: AB, Demeter, Biodyvin, AVN, S.A.I.N.S., Nature & Progrès... Each refers to different requirements, different controls, and different levels of commitment. Understanding these labels means understanding exactly what you are buying — and why some wines have no logo but remain among the most honest on the market.
The first fundamental distinction: vineyard vs. cellar
Before detailing each label, one essential thing must be understood: most official certifications only concern the vineyard — not the cellar. The AB label guarantees that the grapes were grown without synthetic pesticides. It says nothing about what happens during winemaking: industrial yeasts, aggressive filtration, heavy sulfur—all of this remains possible with an AB-labeled wine.
It is precisely to fill this void that specific natural wine charters were created — AVN, S.A.I.N.S., Nature & Progrès — which regulate both the vineyard and the cellar. The simplified hierarchy, from least demanding to most demanding:
- AB: certified organic vineyard, uncontrolled cellar.
- Demeter / Biodyvin: certified biodynamic vineyard, partially controlled cellar (limited sulfur).
- Nature & Progrès: organic vineyard + cellar without additives, peer-controlled.
- AVN / S.A.I.N.S.: strict natural wine — organic or biodynamic vineyard + cellar without any additives, zero or minimal sulfur.
The AB (Agriculture Biologique) label
This is the official European label, the best known and most widespread. It guarantees that the vineyard has been cultivated without synthetic pesticides, without herbicides, without chemical fertilizers, and without GMOs. Audits are annual and carried out by accredited bodies (Ecocert, Bureau Veritas, etc.).
What the AB label does not guarantee: cellar practices. A winemaker can hold AB certification and use industrial selected yeasts, fining enzymes, significant sulfur, or even tartaric acid or added sugar. The wine will still legally be "made from organic grapes" — not a natural wine. To understand everything about what a winemaker actually does in the cellar, our article natural winemaking, from vat to BIB details the difference.
Our detailed article on the AB label: what it really guarantees explores all the nuances of this certification.
Demeter and Biodyvin: certified biodynamics
These two labels certify biodynamics — a viticulture that goes beyond organic, incorporating lunar rhythms, plant-based preparations, and a holistic vision of the farm. The requirements in the vineyard are stricter than for AB: copper treatments are limited, biodynamic preparations are mandatory, and the certification covers the entire property.
Demeter is the international benchmark label; Biodyvin is its French equivalent, created by a union of winemakers. Both also certify (partially) the cellar: sulfur is limited to lower levels than those for AB. To delve into the differences between these two certifications, our article Demeter and Biodyvin explained details the criteria. And to understand the philosophy of biodynamics beyond certification, our article biodynamics: New Age whim or excellence in viticulture? takes stock.
AVN, S.A.I.N.S., and Nature & Progrès: the strict natural wine charters
These three organizations cater specifically to winemakers who make natural wine — that is, those who regulate both the vineyard and the cellar, with requirements often stricter than official certifications:
- AVN (Association des Vins Naturels): created in 2001, it is one of the first natural wine charters in France. Requires certified organic viticulture or organic practices, and in the cellar: zero additives, native yeasts only, total sulfur below 30 mg/L (or even zero).
- S.A.I.N.S. (Sans Aucun Intrant Ni Soufre ajouté): the strictest. Zero added sulfur, zero additives in the cellar, certified organic viticulture. The name is self-explanatory.
- Nature & Progrès: the oldest (1964), and the most comprehensive. It covers the vineyard (strict organic), the cellar (no additives, very limited sulfur), but also the social and ethical dimension of the farm. Peer-controlled — that is, by other member winemakers.
Our article AVN, S.A.I.N.S., and Nature & Progrès explained compares the three charters in detail.
No label at all: is that a problem?
No — and that is perhaps the most important thing to remember. Many of the best natural winemakers are not certified by any organization. The reasons are numerous: cost of certification, administrative paperwork, disagreement with an organization's criteria, or simply the conviction that reputation is enough. A wine without a logo can be produced with more integrity than an AB-certified wine.
The reverse is also true: an AB label alone says nothing about the quality of the wine or cellar practices. Learning to identify good natural winemakers without relying solely on logos is a valuable skill. Our article natural wine without a label: how to spot a good winemaker gives you the keys.
Frequently asked questions about labels
Is a wine with the AB logo necessarily a natural wine?
No. The AB label guarantees organic viticulture — not cellar practices. An AB wine can contain selected yeasts, significant sulfur, and oenological additives. It is "organic" in the sense of "grapes grown without synthetic pesticides" — it is not synonymous with natural wine. To understand what natural wine really is, our guide what is natural wine is the right starting point.
Why do some winemakers stop their AB certification after a few years?
Certification costs money and generates a significant administrative burden. Some winemakers, convinced of organic practices for a long time and having acquired a solid reputation, choose not to renew their certification while continuing exactly the same practices. We then speak of vineyards "in uncertified organic practice." This is not a step backward — it is often an economic and philosophical choice. To understand what lies behind the renunciation of AOC or certifications, our article why some organic winemakers give up their AOC sheds light on these choices.
How can I know if a wine at LET IT BiB is certified or in organic practice?
All product pages in our shop specify the method of cultivation and winemaking. Our wines are all certified organic or in uncertified organic practice, and come from natural or biodynamic winemaking. If you have any doubts about a specific vintage, our team answers via our contact page.