Most of us enjoy ending the day with a refreshing glass of wine, but did you know that biodynamic wine may just change the way you enjoy this alcoholic treat for good. We have compiled all of the key information that will help you save the world by sipping the world’s favourite alcoholic treat.
Why you should make the switch
Conventional winemaking practices are not the most environmentally-friendly endeavours. Not only does it contribute to climate change but it’s one of the most significant factors in global warming. Usually, winemaking requires considerable amounts of fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides. Each of these releases toxins that often find their way into our rivers and oceans. In effect, this leads to the disturbance of the life cycles of plants and animals in the surrounding areas. It also contributes to a significant amount of waste on a yearly basis. Fortunately, biodynamic wine producers are actively trying to eliminate these negative aspects of their craft. To do this, they are implementing a variety of different principles that reverse these effects. The concept of this type of wine-making was first introduced to the world in the 1920s by Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher. He believed that everything should be produced in a union between man and nature. To do this, farmers should adhere to a lunar calendar and keep their methods as natural as possible.
How it’s made
Biodynamic wine is made by conducting all aspects of the winemaking process in a single vineyard, thus reducing the total amount of chemicals that are used in the growing and harvesting phase. Farmers are also encouraged to follow a biodynamic calendar that makes it easy to care for their harvests. Once the grapes are ripe, they are cut from the vines and placed into large vats. The grapes are then mashed into a pulp and the juice and skins are left in these vats to ferment. Once the fermentation period is over, the juice is strained from the pulp and transferred to wooden vats or steel drums and left to age. Generally, red wines are aged in wooden barrels while white is left in steel so that the taste is not influenced by the oak barrels. Finally, the wine is decanted into bottles, corked and sent out to the global market.
The best way to enjoy these wines
Treat yourself to a bottle of biodynamic wine and savour the taste. Red wines are great when paired with heavy ragus and steak. On the other hand, you may find that a bottle of white wine tastes best when enjoyed with a piece of fish or Italian risotto.
Where to get it?
Although a large variety of grocery stores have begun stocking biodynamic wine, you won’t find a bottle in your average corner shop. Instead, place an order at Asia Wine Network to get your hands on a bottle.
