October 2022
Biodynamic Wines
What is biodynamic? We thought it would be a fun way to celebrate the Halloween season- because frankly it sounds a little spooky!
Here is some great info from Wine Folly about biodynamic practices! “Some call it “Hippie, dippy, wacky commune back to the Earth zeitgeist” while proponents claim that it permits the only true expression of terroir. Are biodynamic wines really about celestial energy, cow horns and howling at the moon?
Biodynamic is beyond organic practices. The concept behind biodynamics is that everything in the universe is interconnected and gives off a resonance or ‘vibe’. The interconnectivity of everything even includes celestial bodies like the moon, planets and stars. Biodynamic viticulture is the practice of balancing this resonance between vine, man, earth and stars. Essentially, biodynamics is a holistic view of agriculture.
The concept of Biodynamics started in the 1920’s with an Austrian philosopher named Rudolph Steiner. It is a holistic, homeopathic manner of farming that, of course, also includes viticulture. It is the oldest, anti-chemical agricultural movement that predates the creation of organic farming by about twenty years.
If you think about it, there’s not really anything ‘new’ behind the theory of biodynamics. Mankind has looked to the celestial sky for guidance from the ancient Greeks and Egyptians all the way to the trusty ‘Farmer’s Almanac’ which is the bible of traditional American farming. Biodynamics occur primarily in the vineyard before winemaking even happens. All the various tasks, from planting, pruning, to harvesting, are regulated by a special biodynamic calendar.
Each biodynamic calendar day coincides with one of the four classical elements of Earth, Fire, Air and Water that have been used since before Plato’s era:
- Fruit Days: Best days for harvesting grapes
- Root Days: Ideal days for pruning
- Flower Days: Leave the vineyard alone on these days
- Leaf Days: Ideal days for watering plants
You would never, for example, want to harvest on a Leaf Day because Leaf Days correlate with the Element water and you’d end up picking rotten, waterlogged grapes! You can even extended the practice of biodynamic to drinking wine at home- drink your wine only on Fruit & Flower days- (apparently wine tastes better on these days) 😉
Besides the biodynamic calendar, no chemicals or ‘manufactured’ additions (like commercial yeast ) are allowed in biodynamic wine. Instead, wine growers make special compost preparations with natural ingredients to bolster their vineyards. No intervention is allowed in biodynamic wine making, making this process the most natural & organic process possible.
DON'T FORGET- EVERY FIRST FRIDAY WINE TASTING AT THE MARKET! Wine club members will always have the first access to taste the wines before open to the public.
AND we have an exciting wine dinner happening in December- look for an email soon for the details!
Hope you enjoy these wines! Happy Halloween!
“One of my favorite estates in the Languedoc and the driving force behind the push toward biodynamic and sustainable farming… The wines are impressive across the board and offer serious levels of fruit and texture, while staying fresh, balanced and very drinkable. They also represent superb values.” –Wine Advocate
Robert Eden, a biodynamic winemaker, has built the world’s first hemp cellar with Château Maris. When the vineyard was purchased in Languedoc, the initial yields were lower than expected. The soil was dead, due to the previous farmer’s overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, so we looked at ways of rejuvenating it, using compost. Biodynamic preparations were added to one organic compost pile and another was left alone. After a while the biodynamic pile contained far more living organisms so the decision was then made. It was a wise business decision since the vines are now healthier and grow longer – and the quality of grapes is better. The entire estate is certified by both Demeter and Biodyvin. The fertilizer is compost made from local cow and sheep manure plus some horse manure. Yields are 32 Hl/Ha on average and the entire estate is hand harvested. Chateau Maris is now a 79 acres Biodynamic and Organic Estate (certified by Demeter since 2008, Biodyvins since 2004, Ecocert since 2002 and NOP) divided into a multitude of small vineyards on the hillside above the village of La Livinière, the first Cru Classe of the Minervois, in the Languedoc region. When you purchase any Château Maris wine, you are really getting great tasting wines that are produced and brought to you with minimal environmental impact, at the best price possible in the most ethical way possible.
Better for the Earth, Better for the Wine, Better for You.
“One of the 5 most environmentally friendly wineries in the world." -Wine Spectator
Wines
2019 Maris ‘Natural Selection’ Syrah-Grenache
Minervois la Laviniere
Natural Selection is a medium bodied red wine from Syrah and Grenache grapes. In our Biodynamic philosophy, our process is very natural with minimal intervention. Fermented for ten days in concrete. Extraction from punchdown and light pumping over during a four-week maceration. Aged for 16 months in concrete egg and concrete tank. Deep garnet appearance with hints of violet. Supple and fruit loaded, with medium-bodied richness. Aromatic, spicy with a fabulously generous weight. The finish is long and delicate. Certified Organic & Biodynamic.
Owner / Winemaker: Alois Lageder Region: Alto Adige
Year Founded: 1823
Farming: Demeter Certified Biodynamic Awards: Robert Parker Green Emblem Website: www.aloislageder.eu
The eponymous Alois Lageder winery was founded over 150 years ago in Alto Adige. The Alto Adige is arguably one of the wine world's best kept secrets. The northern most wine producing region in Italy consistently pumps out well made, no nonsense white grape varieties. Here Alois Lageder grows grapes on steep
Dolomite slopes with varied micro-climates that provide distinct vineyard sites—ideal for producing a wide variety of wines. Now in its fifth generation, the company is led by Alois Lageder. His brother-in-law Luis von Dellemann, is the winemaker. Today Lageder owns 185 acres across a variety of microclimates. In the higher elevation Alpine climate, Riesling, Muller-Thurgau and Gewurztraminer grow well. Farther downhill, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Bianco find enough warmth. In the valley floor, where temperatures exceed 90° F. in the summer, reds thrive. Alois Lageder wines are produced via sustainable, Biodynamic, and organic farming methods and express the many nuances of the region’s microclimates.
2020 Alois Lageder Chardonnay, ‘Terra Alpina’
The Chardonnay grape variety was introduced to Alto Adige by Archduke John around 1835 and later promoted by the founder of Italy's first school of oenology. Originally known as
Yellow Pinot Bianco, the variety became popular in Alto Adige in the 1980s. The grapes come from sites around Magrè, Cortaccia, Salorno and Pochi that have the chalky gravel soils that are ideal for growing Chardonnay. Aged on the lees in stainless steel tanks and concrete vats for approximately four months.
89 Points James Suckling | 89 Points Wine Spectator | “Bright pear and cucumber nose, the creamy and green notes slightly in conflict on the light, fresh palate. Quite a spritz of natural carbon dioxide. Drink now.”
