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The Importance of Bio-Dynamie
Olivier Humbrecht, MW
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Alsace, France
Wine lovers around the world hear more and more about biodynamic viticulture. Only a few years ago, pioneering bio-dynamists were looked at strangely: they had the image of being bizarre organic growers, using funny method to cultivate their vineyards, including using moon cycles, planets and stars… In the past ten years, the opinion of the public has moved from amusement to curiosity and perhaps even to respect, as more and more good vineyards are now being cultivated using biodynamic concepts. What is in fact bio-dynamie? Why is this happening? And how does it influence the wines and their production methods? These are all the questions that most people ask themselves when tasting a wine made from biodynamic grapes.
What is bio-dynamie?
The principles of bio-dynamic farming were defined in 1924 in Germany by Rudolf Steiner, as he responded to farmers that could see their land threatened by the abusive use of fertilizers originating from the growing German industry. These principles can be very succinctly summarized by the following three points:
> the upgrading of the soil and plant life in its natural environment due to the use of products made from vegetal, animal and mineral origin,
> the application of these products at specific times during annual cycle (sun, moon…). This is the dynamic part. It recognises that the land (earth = mother, sun = father) is an organism in its own right. The biodynamic farmer will choose specific treatments that will mostly bring forces of life to the soil and the plant.
> the working of the soil by ploughing, tilling, blazing…
Its Goal
Biodynamic agriculture is mainly taking care of the soil. It involves making sure that it is properly balanced and creating harmonious life conditions between land, plants and the environment. Biodynamists believe that the quality of a soil is not made by it’s chemical composition and structure, but mostly by the quality, quantity and variety of bio organisms existing in the soil. Bio-dynamie will seek improvement of the quality of the soil by the presence of large variety of bacteria, mushrooms, worms…in order to help the plant with thicker, healthier and longer roots as well as a better development of leaves, flowers in providing them the energy required for a harmonious growth. |
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