Organic vs Biodynamic Wines

New trends in green wine production are popping up everywhere, leading consumers and wine makers to consider environmental concerns when producing and buying wine.  Organic wines are growing in popularity, but are now being rivaled by the newly popular biodynamic wines.  Organic wines are made with organically grown and harvested grapes, usually without chemical pesticides or fertilizers, and several organic wines even carry an organic certification from the USDA.  These wines are often free of added sulfites, so could be good for wine lovers who often get headaches after drinking wine.  Organics also boast hand harvesting or grapes and the use of indigenous yeasts. 

Biodynamic wines, on the other hand, are also free of chemicals but take the methodology a step farther.  These vineyards often apply theories of planetary alignment and lunar and seasonal cycles when planting and harvesting their vines. 

In truth, there is next to no standardization of regulation for these small batch wines, which has led skeptics to conclude that there is no basis for their practices.  Heavy marketing preys on the environmental conscience of consumers, who want to make better choices not only in their wine habits but in their general carbon footprint. 

However, biodynamic wines are receiving good press from reviewers.  Food & Wine Magazine recommends several from Patianna, Pierre Morey, Marcel Deiss, and Tandem Porter-Bass Vineyards.  In truth, whether there is something to the astrological connections of biodynamic wine making hardly matters. 

Both organic and biodynamic wines are making great strides toward improving environmental risk factors and the vintners are still producing great wines.  Supporting eco-friendly wine practices can only benefit the industry.  Check out the Top Ten Green Wineries for more information.