Is Organic Wine the same as Biodynamic Wine?
No. They are similar because they both incorporate farming practices without the use of chemicals. However, organic wine is produced with organic grapes. Biodynamic farming takes other factors into account, such as the lunar calendar, and the farming is more about the entire ecosystem of a vineyard, not just the grapes.
The U.S. government regulates use of the term “organic,” but “biodynamic” has no legal definition.
What is Organic Wine?
In the United States, organic wines are made with organically-grown grapes (meaning without the use of non-organic certified or genetically modified fertilizers and pesticides) and have no added sulfites during the wine making process.
In Europe, wines can be labeled organic even if there have been some added sulfites, as long as the grapes are grown organically.
What is Biodynamic Wine?
Biodynamic farming is the oldest, anti-chemical agricultural movement that predates the creation of organic farming by about twenty years.
Biodynamic wines follow a strict method — both spiritual and agricultural — based off of ideas from Austrian philosopher named Rudolph Steiner. Biodynamic wine is made with a set of farming practices that views the vineyard as one solid organism and follows a planting calendar that depends upon astronomical configurations.
The ecosystem functions as a whole, with each portion of the vineyard contributing to the next to create a self-sustaining system. Natural materials, soils, and composts are used to sustain the vineyard. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are forbidden for the sake of soil fertility. A range of animals often live on the soil, creating a rich, fertile environment for the vines to grow in. No chemicals or ‘manufactured’ additions (like commercial yeast) are allowed in biodynamic wine.
Biodynamic farming also means leaving the land in as good or better shape as they found it for future generations.
Do these wines taste different than conventionally made wines?
The answer is generally no.
However, many winemakers who farm biodynamically also grow organic fruit, and between the lack of pesticides and farming practices more in tune with nature, biodynamic wines may have a higher-quality taste than other wines. But it’s definitely not guaranteed.
In addition, with organic wines: “You’re replacing chemicals with labor,” Professor Magali A. Delmas of UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and the Anderson School of Management told VinePair. “You need to care more about your vine, you need to protect it from mildew, you need to harvest at a specific time. You need to be paying more attention to your grapes. I think that’s the difference.”
Plus, there have been studies showing that organic grapes tend to have lower yields, which results in a grape with more concentrated flavor which can equal a better wine.
How do I know I’m drinking an organic or biodynamic wine?
Check out the label. You’ll almost definitely see trademarked symbols and logos because if a winery is going to grow organic or biodynamic grapes, they’re probably going to want you to know. You can also check out a winery’s website, which usually goes into details about how their wines were grown and produced.
Do you have a favorite organic or biodynamic wine?
Cheers!
Sources:
Steph Wines 