Biodynamic Viticulture
Okay, we're going to need to break this down a little as the in's and out's of biodynamic winemaking are a little complex. Buckle up folks, and get ready for a pleasantly organic ride.
So what is this 'biodynamic' song and dance?
Well, by definition biodynamic agriculture is organic farming that works with the principals of an Austrian guy who was called Rudolf Steiner. It all kicked of in 1924, and it was the first of the organic agriculture movements, so all the avocado-eating millennials out there have Steiner to thank for the concept of a piece of lettuce being worth £15.
Steiner’s ideas focus on soil fertility and plant growth, and he particularly emphasizes the importance of their spiritual and mystical perspectives. Any artificial chemicals are a big no-no for the biodynamic approach, but given a vine’s tendency to attract various unwanted pests and diseases, it's a brave call to say the least.
Some biodynamic methods include the use of astrology for the planting calendar. The fundamental concept of biodynamics is that everything in the universe is interconnected – i.e. vine, man, earth, moon and stars can be balanced – or rather, their ‘vibes’ can be balance – through the practice of biodynamic viticulture.
So what is this 'biodynamic' song and dance?
Well, by definition biodynamic agriculture is organic farming that works with the principals of an Austrian guy who was called Rudolf Steiner. It all kicked of in 1924, and it was the first of the organic agriculture movements, so all the avocado-eating millennials out there have Steiner to thank for the concept of a piece of lettuce being worth £15.
Steiner’s ideas focus on soil fertility and plant growth, and he particularly emphasizes the importance of their spiritual and mystical perspectives. Any artificial chemicals are a big no-no for the biodynamic approach, but given a vine’s tendency to attract various unwanted pests and diseases, it's a brave call to say the least.
Some biodynamic methods include the use of astrology for the planting calendar. The fundamental concept of biodynamics is that everything in the universe is interconnected – i.e. vine, man, earth, moon and stars can be balanced – or rather, their ‘vibes’ can be balance – through the practice of biodynamic viticulture.
Image courtesy of Wine Folly.
Image courtesy of Wine Folly.
So how is a biodynamic wine different to any other?
As far as wine is concerned, all of the biodynamic shenanigans are carried out before the grapes get to the winery. So planting, pruning and harvesting are regulated by a special calendar constructed by the biodynamic guru, Maria Thun.
The days of this calendar are divided into 4 catagories: Root, Fruit, Flower and Leaf Days. Stay with me here, you might think we’re venturing in to La La Land – and you’re not far wrong – but I promise it’s relevant.
Each of these days coincides with one of the classical four elements of Earth, Fire, Air and Water. So it goes something like this:
1. Fruit Days: Best days for harvesting grapes
2. Root Days: Ideal days for pruning
3. Flower Days: Leave the vineyard alone on these days
4. Leaf Days: Ideal days for watering plants
As far as wine is concerned, all of the biodynamic shenanigans are carried out before the grapes get to the winery. So planting, pruning and harvesting are regulated by a special calendar constructed by the biodynamic guru, Maria Thun.
The days of this calendar are divided into 4 catagories: Root, Fruit, Flower and Leaf Days. Stay with me here, you might think we’re venturing in to La La Land – and you’re not far wrong – but I promise it’s relevant.
Each of these days coincides with one of the classical four elements of Earth, Fire, Air and Water. So it goes something like this:
1. Fruit Days: Best days for harvesting grapes
2. Root Days: Ideal days for pruning
3. Flower Days: Leave the vineyard alone on these days
4. Leaf Days: Ideal days for watering plants
These days are also said to affect wine tasting. So if you want to enhance your experience, apparently these are the rules to live by:
Moving a little further in the Land of La, let us broach the even more controversial subject of compost preparations. Since no chemicals or manufactured additives are allowed, including things like commercial yeast, they get a little (/a lot) creative. A mélange of ingredients are stuffed into cow horns, which are then promptly buried in the soil and left for a while for the magic to do its thing. They are then dug up, and the contents of the horns are made into a ‘tea’ that is used as a fertilizer on the vines. For those of you who don’t know, and I can’t imagine there are many that do, animal horns are actually a symbol of abundance. It is believed that they will increase the fertility of the soil.
I’ve always been a bit advocate for ‘normal is boring’, and you’ve got to admire their originality, I suppose…but this is a little far-fetched even by my standards!
- Fruit Days: The optimal wine tasting days – do it!
- Root Days: Nope, not a good wine day I’m afraid.
- Flower Day: Choose a flowery wine (obviously), and you’ll be on to a winner. Think Viognier or Torrontes.
- Leaf Days: Also a no. Not a good vino day I’m afraid.
Moving a little further in the Land of La, let us broach the even more controversial subject of compost preparations. Since no chemicals or manufactured additives are allowed, including things like commercial yeast, they get a little (/a lot) creative. A mélange of ingredients are stuffed into cow horns, which are then promptly buried in the soil and left for a while for the magic to do its thing. They are then dug up, and the contents of the horns are made into a ‘tea’ that is used as a fertilizer on the vines. For those of you who don’t know, and I can’t imagine there are many that do, animal horns are actually a symbol of abundance. It is believed that they will increase the fertility of the soil.
I’ve always been a bit advocate for ‘normal is boring’, and you’ve got to admire their originality, I suppose…but this is a little far-fetched even by my standards!
Image courtesy of the Biodynamic Association
