Organic & Biodynamic
They've become buzzwords, but what do they mean?
Organic wines--red
Organic is now such a familiar word to see on our groceries, many of us have begun to take this label for granted, and have forgotten what it truly means. Essentially, organic wines are those which have been produced with no synthetic chemicals or unnatural intervention.
This means no synthetic chemical herbicides or pesticides (natural alternatives are used, with great success), and non-natural preservatives will not be found within the bottle itself.
Most organic wines also have a lower level of sulfites - a naturally occurring preservative - inside the bottle.
Most organic wineries will also use things like local, wild yeasts in their fermentation process, and most are single-estate wineries with smaller production levels. It is rare to see large-scale operations work completely organically.
This all goes together with a dedication to excellence and the pursuit of beautiful, natural flavours which is proving to be more and more successful year after year.
Organic winemakers regularly refer to the ‘satisfaction’ of working closely with the land this way, and they’re blazing a bright and ethical trail for the next generation to follow.
In Australia, organic wineries have to be certified by the Australian Certified Organic Standard, and you might see their stamp on the label of some wines which have been certified 100% organic by their stringent set of rules.
Biodynamic wines--aromatic
Biodynamic farming was the brainchild of Rudolph Steiner, the educational and agricultural reformer, and took off as a movement in the 1920s.
Essentially, it was the kickstarter for what became the organic revolution, but it contains some unusual and often downright eccentric practices that many organic farms see as unnecessary. Biodynamics can be considered an extension of organics - that is, you must first be organic before you can be biodynamic.
Steiner was a firm believer in nature spirits and claimed that by following the natural rhythms of nature - especially the phases of the moon - farmers could produce healthier fruits enriched by natural forces.
Biodynamic wineries follow Steiner's rules more or less to the letter, and their soils are enhanced by all manner of ingredients, such as powdered quartz and stag antler.
The wines are said to be the ultimate expression of terroir - a French term referring to the specifics of the land the vines are grown on. It makes sense really - if the farmer cares that deeply about the land, they are taking the best care of it, and allowing the nutrients and minerals in the soil to be absorbed/taken up by any plants there.
There are obviously rules governing what must be done to be defined as biodynamic, and wineries do need to be certified by an appropriate body, such as the ACO, Demeter and the NASAA in Australia. They will all inspect the techniques used by farmers to ensure standards are being met in accordance with the label.
FAQ
What does organic wine mean?
The word organic means 'derived wholly from plants or nature', and so logically any produce deemed 'organic' should be free of anything 'non natural'. Organics is a defined agricultural principal, whereby the soils that grow the produce (in this case, grapes!) need to be free of any non-natural additives for three years before they can be declared organic.
What is a good organic wine?
Organic does not make a wine better quality per se. Like non-organic wine, quality will vary a lot. Some of the better organic labels in Australia, in our opinion, include : Bass Phillip, Cobaw Ridge, Crawford River, Kalleske, Brackenwood, Andrew Peace, Ngeringa, Cape Jaffa, Cullen, Castagna and Jauma.
Is all organic wine sulfite free?
No, sulphur is a naturally occurring element, and is a by-product of alcoholic fermentation. However, organic agriculture regulations decree lower levels of added sulphur dioxide, so organic wine will, on average, have less added sulphur.
How do you know if wine is organic?
Any wine that is certified organic is allowed to display the seal of the certifying body on the label and/or website. Depending on the country of origin, there are different certification bodies and requirements to attain the accreditation.
Is it better to drink organic wine?
Ahh, the million dollar question. From an objective point of view, yes, it is better to only put natural elements (as opposed to synthetic ones) into your body. However there is very little research to suggest that non-organic wine is bad for you. That doesn't mean that it isn't....but we can't confirm either way.
About the Author
Banjo Harris Plane is the three-time winner Sommelier of the Year Australia and a certified advanced Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. He first cut his teeth in the wine industry working as a sommelier in Australia's best restaurants, before starting multiple businesses in the space of a few years... these included two restaurants, a wine import business and co-founding Good Pair Days!