Wines in accordance with nature

© T. Joly
Biodynamic wines are not only produced without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides but also following natural cycles of nature and the moon phases. Here is our selection of wines from producers registered by Biodyvin, one of the two bodies certifying biodynamic wineries.

Biodynamic wines are made using the principles of biodynamic agriculture based on the concept everything in the universe is interconnected and influences each other. Neither chemical fertilizers nor pesticides are ever used, mechanical weeding is the rule and all tasks from planting and pruning to harvesting and bottling are done according to a biodynamic calendar taking into accounts the moon phases as well as its position in relation to zodiacal signs and planets. Days are divided into four categories: root, fruit, flower and leaf coinciding with the four classical elements of Earth, Fire, Air and Water. Listed as a fruit plant, vine should be harvested on fruit days of the ascending moon while pruning and planting should be done on root days of the descending moon and bottling on fruit or flower days of the descending moon.
Chemical products being prohibited, wine growers nurture, bolster and protect their vineyards with special preparations made up of natural ingredients such as cowpat, quartz, horn powder, milfoil, camomile, nettle, dandelion valerian and oak bark. In addition, fighting againt pest insects is done by growing plants that attract beneficial insects eliminating them.
Producing such wines meaning lower yields and requiring more work, they are obviously more expensive but they definitly have a better terroir expression and so often taste differently. One of the two bodies certifying biodynamic wineries, Biodyvin brings together about a hundred producers and here is a selection of wines we like.


ALSACE
- Domaine Albert Hertz, Riesling Grand Cru Eichberg 2013, Gewurtztraminer Eguishem 2013, tel : 0389413032
- Domaine Barmès-Buecher, Riesling Clos Sand 2013, Riesling Grand Cru Hengst 2013 : €25, Pinot Gris Pfleck 2013 : €14, Gewurtztraminer Steingrubler : €30, Pinot Noir 2015 : €16, tel : 0389806292

ANJOU
- Domaine de Juchepie, Anjou Blanc Les Monts 2014 : €18.50, Anjou Blanc Le Clos 2013 : €22, tel : 0241543347

BORDEAUX
- Château Falfas, Le Chevalier Côtes de Bourg 2014 : €30, tel : 0557648041

BOURGOGNE
- Domaine Leflaive, Puligny Montrachet Village 2015 : €38, Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Le Clavoillon 2014, tel : 0380213013

CHAMPAGNE
- Champagne Bedel Françoise, Origin’elle : €30, Entre Ciel et Terre : €41, tel : 0323821580
- Champagne Fleury, Sonate 9 : €65, Millésime 2005 : €45, tel : 0325382028
- Champagne Franck Pascal, Harmonie : €58, Quintescence 2005 : 63€, tel : 0326518980
- Champagne Benoît Lahaye, Violene 2011 : €54, Millésime 2007 : €40, tel : 0326570305

CORSE
- Domaine Comte Abbatucci, Faustine 2014 : €23, Ministre Impérial 2014 : €52, Diplomate 2014 : €53, tel : 0495243630

COTES DU RHONE
- Domaine Duseigneur, Lirac Astrolabe 2010 : €15, Chateauneuf du Pape 2013 : €30, tel : 04900208
- Maison Chapoutier, Viogner d’Ardèche 2015 : €11.50, Hermitage Montée de la Suzeraine 2011 : €65, Chateauneuf du Pape Croix de Bois 2005 : €99, tel : 0475082865
- Domaine des Maravilhas, Alice 2015 : €10, tel : 0466799811
- Domaine de Villeneuve, La Griffe 2015 : €17, tel : 0490345755
- Domaine Gourt de Mautens, Blanc 2014 : €40, Rouge 2012 : €40, tel : 0490461945

COTE ROANNAISE
- Domaine des Pothiers, Hors Piste 2015 : €13, Rouge Cuvée du Domaine 2015 : €10, La Chapelle 2015 : €13, Le Clos du Roy 2015 : €13, L’Intégrale : €17, tel : 0477631584

FIEFS VENDEENS
- Domaine Saint Nicolas, Haut des Clous 2014 : €22.90 tel : 0251331304

GIGONDAS
- Domaine Montirius, Terre des Ainés 2011 : €21, tel : 0490653828

LANGUEDOC
- Vignoble du Loup Blanc, Régal Rouge 2015 : €12
- Domaine de la Marfée, Frissons d’Ombelles blanc 2015 : €15, Les Gamines 2013 : €12.60, Della Francesca 2014 : €19, Les Vignes Qu’On Abat 2013 : €29, tel : 0778670549

MENNETOU-SALON
- Domaine Philippe Gilbert, Les Renardières 2014 : €13.40, Cuvée du Domaine 2014 : €9.60, tel : 0248666590

SANCERRE
- Domaine Vacheron, Sancerre 2015 : 18,90 €, Sancerre Les Romains 2015 : €31.90, Sancerre Gigne-Chèvres 2015 : €32.50, Sancerre Le Paradis 2014 : €31.90, Sancerre Chambrates 2013 : €41, tel : 0248540993

SAUMUR
- Manoir de la Tête Rouge, Tête de Lard 2014 : €13.50, tel : 0241387643

VACQUEYRAS
- Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux, Doucinello 2014 : €16, Cuvée Lopy 2014 : €21.50, tel : 0490658864
- Domaine Montirius, Minéral 2015 : €25, tel : 0490653828


December 13, 2016
Thierry Joly