What is Biodynamic Wine?
You've probably noticed a recent trend in the wine world lately, it seems like a lot of wine shops have started to carry natural, vegan, organic and biodynamic wines. In this blog post we're going to go over what exactly is biodynamic wine, and is it actually different than natural or organic wines.
What’s the Difference Between Natural, Vegan, Organic, and Biodynamic Wine?
Before we get into biodynamic wine, we should probably clarify the differences between some commonly used terms you've probably noticed on wine labels. Natural wine refers to wines made with minimal intervention, often using organic or biodynamic grapes. Vegan wine excludes any animal-derived products during the production process. Organic wine is made from grapes grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Biodynamic wine takes organic farming a step further by using holistic practices that view the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem.
So What is Biodynamic Wine?
Biodynamic wine is more than just a farming method, it's more of a philosophy that seeks to harmonize the vineyard with the rhythms of nature. It was developed by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in the early 20th century. Biodynamic farming treats the vineyard as a living organism and uses growing methods that prioritize biodiversity, soil health, sometimes even lunar cycles. Biodynamic principles includes everything from soil regeneration and composting to natural pest control and lunar planting calendars.
So What's with The Cow Horn?
What’s the Difference Between Natural, Vegan, Organic, and Biodynamic Wine?
Before we get into biodynamic wine, we should probably clarify the differences between some commonly used terms you've probably noticed on wine labels. Natural wine refers to wines made with minimal intervention, often using organic or biodynamic grapes. Vegan wine excludes any animal-derived products during the production process. Organic wine is made from grapes grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Biodynamic wine takes organic farming a step further by using holistic practices that view the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem.
So What is Biodynamic Wine?
Biodynamic wine is more than just a farming method, it's more of a philosophy that seeks to harmonize the vineyard with the rhythms of nature. It was developed by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in the early 20th century. Biodynamic farming treats the vineyard as a living organism and uses growing methods that prioritize biodiversity, soil health, sometimes even lunar cycles. Biodynamic principles includes everything from soil regeneration and composting to natural pest control and lunar planting calendars.
So What's with The Cow Horn?
One of the most iconic parts of biodynamic farming is the use of cow horns filled with manure. These cow horns are then buried in the vineyard to ferment for months and then later are added to the soil as compost. This is believed to enhance soil fertility, promote microbial activity, and imbue the wine with a sense of terroir, which will ultimately enrich the entire vineyard ecosystem as a whole.
Do Biodynamic Wines Taste Different?
While biodynamic farming may not directly impact the taste of the wine, many will argue that they do contribute to overall vineyard health and terroir expression. This can result in wines that are of higher quality. So next time you're at your favorite wine shop, consider giving a biodynamic wine a try.