There are thousands of wines on the shelf at your local bottle shop, but are some healthier than others?
Enter biodynamic wines.
From harvesting during moon cycles, making insecticides from herbs and using sheep as real-life weeding machines. It is a fact that biodynamic and organic winemaking is closer to nature than the competitors.
Image compliments of Shingleback Wine in Mclaren Vale. The Bio Project represents Shingleback’s commitment to undertaking native revegetation within their vineyards.
But is organic wine better for you? And why on gods green earth should we pay more for them? And finally, are they as tasty as their counterparts?
Let's dive in, shall we?
Please note: that all Biodynamic Wines are Organic, but not all Organic Wines are made using Biodynamic Principles. For clarity, I will refer to the wines as being Biodynamic, which, as you now know, also means Organic.
Reason #5
Biodynamic farming nurtures the ecosystem.
A biodynamic environment works hand in hand, naturally in nature - as it should. The word biodynamic roughly translates to "dynamics of life."
In staying true to the meaning, certified biodynamic vineyards make considerable efforts to revegetate their lands and carefully select plants that will help the vineyard by attracting beneficial insects and native birds. Not only does this restore the land's biodiversity, but it also results in a thriving ecosystem with cleaner air, improved water quality and nutrient-rich food.
Biodynamic environments feed and sustain more than just the vines, which equals a happy ecosystem that only becomes more bountiful in time!
Reason #4:
Healthier Soils
Synthetic fertilisers strip the soil of its health. Which, in time, leads to desolate land that has been robbed of nutrients. The practice of biodynamics involves putting the energy/nutrients back into the soil. Each season when the grapes are picked (energy loss), natural composts and minerals are reintroduced (energy gain) that replenish the land in time for the next harvest.
Energy goes out, and energy goes back in, resulting in a [mainly] equal exchange of energy, which is what biodynamics is all about.
Reason #3
The Wine has Low Preservatives
Wine is made using up to 50% fewer sulphites than standard wines.
In recent years, sulphite intolerances have become a big headache (literally!).
More and more people find preservative-laden wines contribute to killer headaches and stuffy noses. Zero preservative and low preservative wines allow the sensitive among us to enjoy their favourite tipple without unnecessary suffering... hooray for that!
Reason #2
Healthier Wine
No chemicals are used in the organic, biodynamic process from start to finish.
If it is not one step from natural, biodynamic winemakers cannot use it in their wines. Even the sheep who graze to reduce weeds in certified biodynamic vineyards must undergo a three-week quarantine process to ensure their umm... deposits are as chemical, insecticide and fungicide free as our vineyards!
This clean process means that while you enjoy your favourite drop, you won’t be ingesting any nasties that have tagged along.
Reason #1
You Will be on the Right Side of History.
By drinking biodynamic wine, you contribute to a healthier planet.
The seemingly small act of choosing biodynamic wines creates a ripple effect. The more demand there is for biodynamic/organic wines, the more will be sold, which means that more producers will produce, which means more lands will be biodiverse.
This is a huge win for the Earth and a step in the right direction to create lower carbon emissions, healthier soils, and help land replenish itself. And, if the kudos isn’t enough, think of how your choice will help make a bountiful Earth that our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy long into the future.
In addition to all those incredible benefits, the juice from biodynamic grapes is vibrant and full of life! I mean, how could it not be?
Stored properly, the bigger reds can be cellared for decades. Oh, and with biodynamic farming on the rise here in South Australia, the wines are becoming more affordable too.
According to a 2019 AWRI report, McLaren Vale has the highest percentage of certified Biodynamic and Organic vineyards in Australia, with approximately 38% of vineyards certified Biodynamic and Organic!
Are you convinced?
If you haven’t yet tried biodynamic wines, now is the time!
Remember, biodynamic wines are not only good for you but there also good for the planet and good for the future of farming.
When you’re next deliberating over which organic wine to buy, head to the growing Organic Biodynamic wine section (look for the NASAA-certified logo) and give a biodynamic wine brand a swirl.
**This article is based on extensive research and my experience working within and around the wine industry of Mclaren Vale over the last ten years. The views and options expressed are mine alone and do not represent any of the businesses mentioned in this article.