Questions Uncorked

Sep 16, 2008

Hi Suzi!
Thanks for your question. Yes, biodynamics is a bit of a confusing term, even for those who are familiar with it. Biodynamics is based on the writings of the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner. If you are at all familiar with the Waldorf schools, which are based on the educational philosophies of Steiner, then you might also be somewhat versed in biodynamics.

When it comes to the wine world, biodynamics is a term that is applied to viticulture. You can almost think of it as a step beyond organic grape-growing. Vineyards that are farmed biodynamically do not use any synthetic chemicals or fertilizers. Instead, there are a number of holistic preparations that are used during the year to keep the vineyard healthy. Where it starts to get a bit confusing is that all vineyard work and all applications of the preparations are done according to the solar and lunar calendars. The use of the cosmic calendar has led many people to describe biodynamics as a bit of “hocus-pocus,” but those who practice it, such as Nicolas Joly, Olivier Humbrecht and Michel Chapoutier, are entirely serious, talented and dedicated winemakers.

Biodynamic producers focus on the vineyard as a living member of a larger ecosystem and this type of approach has certainly gained in popularity as there is more and more of a push to farm in an environmentally responsible manner. While there are several certification bodies such as Demeter, many wines that are made with biodynamically grown grapes won’t be labeled as such. While the total amount of grapes that are grown biodynamically is still very very small, the country with the largest share of the world’s biodynamic vineyards is France.