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Does Organic Wine Taste Better? An Analysis of Experts' Ratings

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  • Delmas, Magali A.
  • Gergaud, Olivier
  • Lim, Jinghui

Abstract

Ecolabels are part of a new wave of environmental policy that emphasizes information disclosure as a tool to induce environmentally friendly behavior by both firms and consumers. Little consensus exists as to whether ecocertified products are actually better than their conventional counterparts. This study seeks to understand the link between ecocertification and product quality. We use data from three leading wine-rating publications (the Wine Advocate, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine Spectator) to assess quality for 74,148 wines produced in California between 1998 and 2009. Our results indicate that ecocertification is associated with a statistically significant increase in wine quality rating. Being ecocertified increases the scaled score of the wine by 4.1 points on average. (JEL Classifications: L15, L66, Q13, Q21, Q56)

Suggested Citation

  • Delmas, Magali A. & Gergaud, Olivier & Lim, Jinghui, 2016. "Does Organic Wine Taste Better? An Analysis of Experts' Ratings," Journal of Wine Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 11(3), pages 329-354, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jwecon:v:11:y:2016:i:03:p:329-354_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Clarissa Laura Maria Spiess Bru, 2023. "Does the Tasting Note Matter? Language Categories and Their Impact on Professional Ratings and Prices," Working Papers Dissertations 105, Paderborn University, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics.
    2. Thi Thu Huong Nguyen & Zhi Yang & Thi Thuy Nga Nguyen & Cao Thi Thanh, 2019. "Theory of Planned Behavior Approach to Understand the Influence of Green Perceived Risk on Consumers' Green Product Purchase Intentions in an Emerging Country," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 9(3), pages 138-147.
    3. Robert Mai & Stefan Hoffmann & Ingo Balderjahn, 2021. "When drivers become inhibitors of organic consumption: the need for a multistage view," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 49(6), pages 1151-1174, November.
    4. Nishanthi Kariyapperuma & Eva Collins, 2021. "Family logics and environmental sustainability: A study of the New Zealand wine industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(8), pages 3626-3650, December.
    5. Abraben, Lane A. & Grogan, Kelly A. & Gao, Zhifeng, 2017. "Organic price premium or penalty? A comparative market analysis of organic wines from Tuscany," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 154-165.
    6. Patrizia Fanasch, 2019. "Survival of the fittest: The impact of eco‐certification and reputation on firm performance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(4), pages 611-628, May.
    7. Delmas, Magali A. & Gergaud, Olivier, 2021. "Sustainable practices and product quality: Is there value in eco-label certification? The case of wine," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • Q13 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality
    • L66 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Food; Beverages; Cosmetics; Tobacco
    • Q21 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Demand and Supply; Prices

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