New Year New You - Resolve to drink Biodynamic Wines

December 31, 11:46 AMBoston Food ExaminerJacqueline Church

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Organic Wines

Coming into their own in the wine world, organic and biodynamic wines are increasingly available in wine shops and restaurants.

Two biodynamic sparkling wines: German Gilabert Cava or Cremant Jean Pierre Dirler.

What are biodynamic wines?

This article gives a good overview: Biodynamic Wines with Holiday Meals, Balance for your Palate and Planet. The philosophy comes from Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf Schools. Steiner saw whole systems views as important to living a life in balance. In education and in agriculture he pioneered concepts that we now refer to as "holistic" or "sustainable." With respect to wine specifically, this means going beyond organic. It means producing wines on a farm that adheres both to organic principles but also respect the earth as a self-healing system. Biodynamic agriculture seeks harmony with all its processes. From using farm animals to fertilize the soil organically, planting with lunar cycles, protecting ground water - the farms who adhere to biodynamic systems approach go well beyond a "no pesticides" approach.

Are biodynamic wines good to drink?

In the '70s California wines shocked the world beating French wines in a blind tasting event many French wine experts thought would put the upstart American wineries in their place. Similarly, biodynamic wines have gained respect in recent years by winning blind tasting events when paired and tasted against conventional wines.

Where can I find out more?

Discount offered at Astor Center - just for my readers! If you sign up for this class: Defining Green: Wine Demystified at New York City's Astor Wines you can get a 15% discount by using this code: LDGOrganic. The Astor Center is a wonderful wine and food education center in Manhattan. Why not pop on the Bolt Bus and have an adventure?

Locally, Bauer Wines has a terrific selection of  wines and carries two leading biodyanmic wines: Grgich Hills and Benziger, as well as organic wines and spirits. Pop in and tell them I sent you!

Where can I taste biodynamic wines?

Craigie on Main has a wonderful wine list replete with organic and biodynamic wines. My birthday dinner included Clos la Coutale Cahors. Magnifique!

Clos la Coutale Cahors photo credit: Wine Fever