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In recent years, there has been a significant increase in public awareness about organic products and healthy eating habits. The increasing demand for natural and organic products on the market is showing that people nowadays care a lot about what they consume and how that affects their well-being.
The eco-friendly market trends also affect the world of wine, and this is particularly important for wine-lovers who tend to consume a glass of their favorite wine during lunch or dinner on a daily basis.
One thing is sure, once you decide to leave the regular type of wine and all those mouthful flavors and aromas, you have to be ready for a bit different taste, the taste of nature itself.
Organic Wine
As the name suggests, organic wine is made from organically produced grapes according to strict regulations and principles of organic farming and agriculture. This implies that the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides is strictly forbidden and controlled by the ECOCERT in Europe and the U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA). To be labeled as an “organic wine” one must satisfy a long list of rules and requirements issued by the agricultural governing body in the producing country.
How Is It Made?
Organic wine producers use alternative methods to save the grapes from the pests such as implementing beneficial insects to the crops, along with the use of “weed-eaters” such as sheep and chicken to protect the crops from weeds. Moreover, the method of covering crops and use of composts in vineyards has great influence on the essential and beneficial nutrients in the grapes, but also it affects the physical, chemical and biological sphere of soil health and the grape quality. Cover crops are placed between the wine rows and are used to attract beneficial insects that will improve the quality of soil and plants.
No Added Sulfites Allowed
These chemical compounds are naturally present in the process of wine fermentation. However, sulfites are commonly added by the wine producer in order to increase the shelf life and aging flavor that we love in wine. If the wine is made according to organic rules and regulations, but contains added sulfites, it is labeled as wine made from organic grapes, but is not an organic wine.
No Use of GMO Allowed
Organically grown grapes are not allowed to have any genetically modified organisms (GMO). Also, the vineyard in which the organic grapes grow must be clean, without any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, at least three years before harvesting the organic grapes. All ingredients added to the wine must be organically grown, while the non-organic ingredients must not exceed 5% of the wine content and should be listed in the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
Also, read Organic Wines to see the best organic producing wineries and their products worldwide.
Biodynamic Wine
Biodynamic wine-producing is a method developed by the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s. The philosopher focused on creating an entire fertile ecosystem and using an astronomical calendar for timing the different farming stages, including harvesting, pruning, watering and giving the vineyard time to rest. Moreover, this biodynamic concept is related to the four elements: earth, fire, water and ear. Steiner`s idea implemented a creation of a balanced and harmonious agricultural ecosystem.
Biodynamic winemaking follows all the organic principles, but with a step further than organic farming since it gives a different, holistic approach to agriculture, with more focus on the soil, local climate and farming techniques in order to produce grapes in ideal conditions. These practices also include preparation of the fertilization process by using cow horns filled with compost and burying them in the vineyards. Biodynamic wines contain an official seal by Demeter International, the largest certification organization for biodynamic agriculture represented by 45 countries in the world. European biodynamic wines contain the Biodyvin seal which represents only the European vineries.
The Difference Between Organic and Biodynamic Wine
Organic and Biodynamic wines share the same organic practices such as avoiding pesticides and artificial fertilizers. However, biodynamic wines are allowed to contain an amount of added sulfites which is not in accordance with the USDA standards for certified organic wines. Therefore, not every organic wine is biodynamic, while many biodynamic wines are also organic.
Most Popular Biodynamic Wineries
Yealands, Marlborough, New Zealand
Cullen Wines, Margaret River, Australia
Domaine Anderson, Anderson Valley, California
Montinore Estate, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Natural Wine
Generally, natural wines are made with the first and oldest methods of vine making. Since there are no strict rules or standard certifications, each wine producer determines his method of growing, fermenting and bottling the natural wine. Usually, the grapes are harvested by hand and hand-pressed. Natural wines do not contain any chemical additives during the vinification process, it is spontaneously fermented with native yeast.
Natural wines are not filtered, neither have altered taste or added flavors, and therefore have a cloudy appearance and sometimes strong sulfurous nose. In most cases, natural wines are not aged in oak so they have a short life span and therefore are produced in smaller quantities.
Natural wines have a sour taste, resembling the notes of cider or kombucha. This is because natural wine is a simple fermented grape juice with a little else added.
VinNatur, the Italian association for making natural wines, every year organizes “ The VinNatur Tasting” in Gambellara, Veneto. This is one of the greatest natural wine events in Europe. Here you can try a number of high-quality natural wines that will change the concept about natural wines and their “ odd” taste and smell.
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