Biodynamic and organic winemaking: what is it and what are the features
Biodynamic winemaking
Biodynamic winemaking is a combination of organic winemaking with magic and space. This practice is hundreds of years old and its principles are the same in all countries - no chemical fertilizers, wild yeast races are often used, natural fertilizers are used, cosmic energy and astrology are used.
Biodynamicists monitor the phases of the moon, charge instruments with cosmic energy, and carry out work in vineyards according to the lunar calendar. They believe that all life on Earth, including grapes, is a reflection of the cosmos.
Leaving the vineyard without the winemaker's control in today's environmental situation is risky, so biodynamics offers a variety of natural products. The most famous of them, which for some people has already become a symbol of biodynamics, is a cow's horn, which is filled with compost and manure, and then buried in the vineyard on a certain day.
In addition, in biodynamics, wild yeasts are often used in the fermentation of grapes - those that are found on unwashed berries or in the air. This allows you to get a unique wine every time, which is as distinctive as possible in taste and aroma. At the same time, the buyer often plays a lottery when buying such wine - no one can guarantee its characteristics.
Biodynamics can be treated differently, skepticism is understandable. However, biodynamic wines regularly win various competitions and are often among the favorites in blind tastings.
As with organic wines, biodynamic wines require appropriate certificates.
Today, there are three organizations that monitor compliance with the conditions and can issue them:
Demeter is one of the oldest
Biodyvin
Respekt-Biodyn
Famous biodynamicists:
Cantina Filippo Filippi
Musella.
Organic winemaking
The essence of organic winemaking is the prohibition of the use of synthetic fertilizers in the process of growing grapes, the absence of various chemicals, and the use of only organic elements in the wine production process. As a result, the content of harmful substances in organic wine is reduced, and the damage caused to the environment is also reduced. Often, such wines have a special taste and differ from ordinary wines, and cavistas and sommeliers often use the word "atypical" to describe them. The price of organic wine is also higher, so marketing plays the last role in this.
Organic wines in the United States are subject to stricter requirements - the use of sulfur oxide and sulfites is prohibited for their production, so such wines are stored for less time and should be drunk young. If a producer in the US decides to use sulfur, they can declare on the label that they are using organic grapes, but they are not allowed to call the wine organic in this case.
Not only the state can monitor compliance with the requirements. There are many organizations in the world that supplement the list with their own conditions, and at the same time have the right to issue an organic certificate.
Organic wines often have unusual aromas and flavors, which can be either more intense than other wines or completely change their varietal profile, giving the wine atypical shades for its variety.
Internationally known organic wine producers:
Tenuta Crespaia
Tenuta San Pietro
Cantina Di Prima
Domaine de La Begude
Update: 26.08.2021
Category: Wine and Vermouth