Chemical-free wines continue to grow in popularity. For instance, the organic wine market was worth $10.85 billion globally in 2023. That figure is expected to rise to $18.27 billion by 2028.
Some organic winemakers take their processes a step further, producing biodynamic wines. Biodynamic growing combines organic farming methods with a holistic approach first developed in the 1920s that incorporates the surrounding ecosystem and planting cycles. Originally, Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian scientist, spiritualist, and founder of biodynamic agriculture, incorporated elements like planetary positions into these farming practices.
Modern biodynamic vineyards incorporate many of these practices, with certification standards focusing on ecological impact and organic practices. Here is a closer look at how this organic and sustainability-focused growing method impacts grape-growing and wine-making.
Biodynamic vs. Organic vs. Natural Wine
Terms like biodynamic, organic, and natural are sometimes used interchangeably when discussing wine. While these terms describe similar concepts and processes, each one is different.
Organic wine is made with grapes grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. Instead, vineyards rely on natural methods to fertilize and protect grapes. The USDA certifies organic wines that meet its chemical-free criteria.
Natural wines take the organic process a step further. In addition to organic grapes, the winemakers use traditional processes for fermenting wine. This includes relying on native yeasts to start fermentation. It also means avoiding additives like sulfur dioxide. Regional certifications are available, but these may have different standards.
Biodynamic wines need to be organic to meet certification standards from Demeter, the international standards organization for biodynamic farming. While organic farming often brings benefits such as a lower impact on the surrounding areas, it does not require biodiversity and ecosystem care as biodynamic certification does.
The impact of each method on flavor is subjective. You would have to find the different varieties from a wine vendor and try them for yourself. Wine subscription services or wine clubs may include organic, natural, and biodynamic wines in their selections.
How Is Biodynamic Wine Produced?
While some methods vary depending on the locality and ecosystems, biodynamic vineyards follow a similar set of practices.
- Soil preparation involves using natural fertilizers like manure. This step can also involve adding minerals or compost mixtures to the soil to increase yield naturally.
- Planting often occurs at specific times of the year. Many biodynamic farmers use lunar cycles to schedule planting.
- Cover crops, ground cover, and natural control methods are important for healthy growth and grape protection.
- Soil management during the growing season can involve adding additional compost or non-chemical fertilizers.
- The winemaking process often involves natural winemaking methods, such as using native yeasts. However, biodynamic winemakers can use some additives, like sulfur dioxide, to ensure stability for aging.
Farmers need to follow other steps to qualify for biodynamic status. For instance, they need to dedicate 10% of the vineyard to biodiversity. This can include fostering beneficial insects or endangered native plants or animals. The biodiversity component can vary by location and depend on which plants, insects, or animals are beneficial in the vineyard.
Benefits of Biodynamic Wines
Biodynamic wines can offer flavor benefits and also help wine drinkers support sustainability and environmental friendliness.
Here are some of the benefits offered by biodynamic wines:
- Sustainability and environmental friendliness: Biodynamic vineyards aim to prioritize the health of the surrounding ecosystems.
- Flavor and complexity: Because of the focus on local conditions and natural elements, known as the terroir in winemaking, biodynamic wines often have unique and complex flavors.
- Health benefits: Biodynamic wines do not have the trace amounts of unhealthy chemicals sometimes found in non-organic wines.
Certified biodynamic wines meet specific criteria. Demeter ensures that each producer meets the standards. The certification avoids the issue of greenwashing, which happens when companies promise eco-friendly benefits but don’t actually deliver them.
Is Biodynamic Wine Healthier?
Wines bring certain health benefits. For example, all red wines contain antioxidants that improve heart health and reduce the chances of plaque buildup in the arteries.
Meanwhile, both red and white wines can help reduce stress when consumed in moderation. Wines average 18% alcohol, so “moderation” means one to two five-ounce glasses per day. You can learn wine basics, such as the alcohol content of different varieties, to find the best option for reducing stress.
However, only biodynamic and organic wines are certified to not contain pesticides. One study did not find a link between adverse health effects and trace amounts of pesticides in wine. However, another study of U.S.-based wine and beer producers found the herbicide glyphosate, linked with some cancers, in some beverages. Organic and biodynamic wines would not have high concentrations of these chemicals because their use is prohibited on these types of farms.
Do Biodynamic Wines Taste Different?
Biodynamic wines, like all wines, are influenced by the grape varieties winemakers use and the terroir of the land. The different variables, from minerals or fertilizers added to the soil to groundcover plants, can affect the flavor of the wine. Because there are typically more of these elements in play for biodynamic wines, there is a greater chance to develop more complex flavors.
Certifications for Biodynamic Wines
Demeter is the certifying body for biodynamic products in the U.S. It incorporates the USDA’s organic certification, which is a requirement for all biodynamic crops and products, including wine. The vineyard must also reserve 10% of its land for biodiversity and meet sustainability and ecosystem preservation requirements.
Additionally, wines that use sulfites need to cap usage at 100 parts per million (PPM). They also need to follow specific natural wine techniques, such as only using native yeast during fermentation.
Biodynamic Wine Brands
Demeter International produces a list of biodynamic wines that it certifies. A majority are in Europe, with some in the U.S., primarily in California and Oregon, and others in Southern Africa and Latin America.
Here are three of the most well-known biodynamic wine brands:
- Benziger operates several certified biodynamic and organic vineyards in the Sonoma Valley in California. They produce a variety of reds and whites, including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- Emiliana, in Chile, is one of the largest biodynamic and organic wineries in the world. It is also carbon neutral. The brand operates half a dozen vineyards on Chile’s coast.
- Louis Roederer was an established winemaker who adopted biodynamic practices. It was one of the first to achieve mainstream success and awards with biodynamic grapes.
There are hundreds of other certified biodynamic wineries, both small and large, around the world.
Challenges of Producing Biodynamic Wine
Biodynamic wines require careful management of vineyards. Organic pest management and fertilizing require expertise and the ideal mixtures and processes may take trial and error. This is especially true for those new to biodynamic approaches. Here is a closer look at these challenges.
- Local differences can make it difficult to learn the best biodynamic practices. Different pests may require different solutions, for example.
- Lower yields are possible with a lack of chemical enhancements. This can lower profits or make biodynamic wines more expensive than their non-organic counterparts.
- The time commitment can be challenging for some wineries. It can take several years to establish the biodiversity and practices necessary for biodynamic certification.
Biodynamic wines offer sustainable and eco-friendly products to wine lovers. Well-made varieties also have complex flavors that wine connoisseurs value. It’s worth exploring biodynamic varieties whether you want to support sustainability or simply want wines with complexity and depth.
