What's the difference between Biodynamic and Organic?
Bio and Organic are much the same in many ways although the biodynamic route is definitely a personal and conscious choice. Look at this link from Decanter that describes the differences in easy-to-understand terms.
Biodynamic wines must be certified. The strict rules and regulations are overseen by 2 governing bodies:
1 Demeter International
2 Biodyvin
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.
Controversial stuff to many but the changing face of the wine industry to most who care about what they consume and where it comes from.
You may think that it's only small boutique labels that produce Biodynamic wine but there is a long list of established producers who have perfected their sustainable techniques and are now offering great alternative wines:
Benziger, Bonny Doon, Chapoutier, Pommery, Pol Roger, Veuve Cliquot, Nicolas Joly, Bonterra Vinyards to name a few.
Biodynamic and Organic wines are getting better and they are here to stay.
But are they any good?
The answer is "yes and no".
It's still early days for a lot of producers switching their vineyards from normal to biodynamic and it is a very long process that doesn't just happen. With that in mind a lot of vignerons still have their training wheels on as to which recipes and techniques work within their vineyard - they are all different. The result is that there is a mixed bag of qualities out there...for now.
However, when you find a vigneron who has worked through those challenges and disregarded the training wheels, the results are impressive.
Why should I buy them?
I wouldn't say that you "should" buy these wines but you should let the wines speak for themselves in terms of quality. And, if you're conscious about what enters your body then you will be drawn to this type of winemaking as you will be by the food you consume. To me, there is no difference; If I would rather eat an apple straight from an unsprayed tree it makes sense that I would drink a wine produced from unsprayed vines.
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