506091 Fri Apr 04 11:01:50 -0700 2008 4 34 Wine 0 3561602 This thought came to me when I was recommending to a friend a great wine I had tried. She stated that she doesn't drink wines from South American countries and claimed that they use pesticides that are banned in the USA. Is there any validity to this, or even wines that are produced here or elsewhere? Is there any testing process for wines so we know what we are drinking is free of pesticides? Fri Apr 04 11:01:50 -0700 2008 104118 paulispumonti 1 3561729 tests are available for ag chem residues, but i'm not sure if importers use them. Fri Apr 04 11:27:15 -0700 2008 3561602 10403 StephP 1 3566394 You might want to have a look at this article from last Thursday by (Dr) Jamie Goode -- http://www.wineanorak.com/pesticideresiduesinwine.htm Sun Apr 06 07:23:17 -0700 2008 3561602 114099 Gussie Finknottle 1 3572351 Your friend appears to be a touch misinformed. Chile produces a high percentage of wine made with organic grapes, I'd venture to say the highest % out of any major wine producing country, though that is observation-based only. Tue Apr 08 01:27:12 -0700 2008 3561602 22015 newJJD 1 3579646 Pan Europe tests and lists results. You can find this story here: "European wines systematically contaminated with pesticide residues [26 March 2008]: http://www.pan-europe.info/Pictures/PDFs/Press%20Release,%20Notes%20&%20Contacts.pdf Exact amounts of pesticides are listed, but not for all European wines. General info site on Pan Europe: http://www.pan-europe.info/ Wed Apr 09 21:35:00 -0700 2008 3561602 18222 maria lorraine