Biodynamic & Sulfites In Wine
Organic and biodynamic wines have become such a focus across the world today. As our human population becomes more cautious of their health and how industries make their products, these wines are becoming more prevalent in the market. What are the differences amongst these types of wines? How do factors like sulfites in wine come into consideration? Let us take a look.
Biodynamic Wines
Many consumers are familiar with organic farming practices and organic wines, but what about biodynamic wines? What are the differences between organic and biodynamic wines? Biodynamic wines take organic farming and winemaking a step further. Both of them require no use of chemicals, pesticides or additives. However, biodynamic winemaking takes a more holistic approach and involves the wider universe including astrology, the stars and the moon.
The concept of biodynamics was started in the 1920’s by Rudolph Steiner, an Austrian philosopher. It’s driven off of a calendar created by Maria Thun that dictates the best times for pruning, watering, harvesting and even drinking. Some say that biodynamic wines provide a purer expression of the terroir since there is less manipulation. In the light of that, biodynamic and organic wines are becoming more commonplace and a lot easier to find on the market today.
Sulfites
Sulfites are naturally occurring in wine. Some producers add additional sulfites as they help maintain freshness, prevent oxidation and extend the shelf life of a wine. One of the most common questions pertaining to sulfites is, “which wine won’t give me a headache”? It is possible that sulfites can cause headaches, but its more rare than the norm. Anyway, all the wineries we collaborate with during our Wine Tours in Tuscany put as little as possible of sulfites to leave the wine as genuine as possible.
However, it is a personal choice and belief in what one chooses to consume for wines. What can’t be denied is the passion and respect that these winemakers put into these efforts discussed to take care of their land and the environment at large.
Jennifer Martin
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