Posted
by Organic Wine Journal
on Jan 19, 2012
in Features
Lyle Fass picked his top five wine trends of the past year on sidetour.com. Natural Wine is one of them:
Natural wine people reject the excessive (as they see it) use of sulfur and only use a minimal amount at bottling to keep the wine stable. Why do they use sulfur? Most wine would barely age two months if sulfur is not used. Huge statement, I know, but the science backs it up. I don’t want to bore you with the details, but I believe sulfur is necessary, though there are people who use it too liberally. How’s that for not taking a position? But one thing is undeniable, when natural wine is good, it is as wonderful and as exciting as wine can get.
Read the rest of his five trends here, and while you’re at it sign up for his course, Learn The Secrets To Buying Wine Worth Your Money.
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Posted
by Organic Wine Journal
on Jan 18, 2012
in Features
From Opici Wines:
De Martino was chosen as “Winery of the Year” at the 9th Annual Wines of Chile Awards held on November 17th at Casas de Lo Matta in Santiago, Chile. Unique methods of wine production coupled with their commitment to decreasing their carbon footprint were determining factors in selecting De Martino for this important award. “We have always sought the highest standard of quality for our wines, but have never compromised our deep respect for the vineyards and their surrounding environments,” commented Marco Antonio De Martino, Commercial Manager at the winery.
One of the largest organic wine producers in Chile, De Martino was the first certified carbon-neutral winery in South America. Their commitment to preserving their land includes measuring their water usage to reduce their environmental impact and producing wines that accurately represent Chile’s uniqueness.
Chief Winemaker, Marcelo Retamal, is constantly searching for new and exciting terroirs. “Being recognized as ‘Winery of the Year’ is a great incentive for all of us at De Martino, as it motivates us to continue our quest for innovation and, above all, to produce wines which accurately represent their place of origin,” stated Retamal. As a result of their continuous experimentation, they have become specialists in the cultivation of high altitude vineyards in the Andes mountain range, such as those in the Choapa and Elqui Valleys. It has also challenged itself to restore old vineyards in the Maule Valley.
Family-owned since it was founded in 1934, De Martino has been a pioneer in South American winemaking, being the first to accomplish many feats. From its certification as carbon-neutral to bottling Carmenere in its purity. They continue to strive for more without sacrificing their principles.
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Posted
by Organic Wine Journal
on Jan 18, 2012
in Features
Return To Terroir will take place in NYC on February 27th, at the Altman Building from 11-5PM. 70 wineries will be attendance and Nicolas Joly will give a presentation “The Urgent Need For Biodynamics” at 1pm. The event is for trade and press only, though there will be dinners and tastings around the city open to the public. We’ll let you know those when they are announced.
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Posted
by Organic Wine Journal
on Jan 9, 2012
in Features
There’s an interview at the Louis/Dressner site with Stefano Bellotti of Cascina degli Ulivi.
In 1984, I met an farmer who was working biodynamically. I instantly saw an agriculture that was working better. As a kid who grew up in the materialistic 70′s, I didn’t quite trust the whole biodynamic vision, but I saw the results and knew something about it was working. So I started, and I am very happy. It has opened up the world for me, made it more complex and interesting.
A lot of people think biodynamic agriculture is some sort of religion. It’s not. When you see the results, you can see that it’s an agricultural model that works. And if one day a better model comes along (or contributes to biodynamics), I’ll be very happy!
Read the full interview.
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Posted
by Organic Wine Journal
on Jan 9, 2012
in Features
From Wines From Spain:
Organic wine is a product whose consumption has experienced major growth in recent years. Many experts highlight the product as the sector’s future, especially on mature markets as in the case of Europe. Following this trend, the Spanish Federation of Organic Product Companies (FEPECO) is coordinating the exhibition of around 20 Spanish organic winemaking bodegas at ProWein, one of the most important wine fairs in Europe, which will take place in Düsseldorf (Germany) from 4th to 6th March 2012.
FEPECO will bring together 20 bodegas from several Spanish regions on its 72 m² stand in a joint effort aimed at marketing Spanish organic wine. In addition to coordinating the stand and the logistics behind the exhibition, the federation will also offer exhibitors a service to boost international trade links with potential buyers.
The ProWein fair is an international benchmark on the European and as well as global wine scene. In its last edition, 3,600 exhibitors took part from more than 50 countries, with more than 39,000 trade visitors, from both home and abroad, passing through its pavilions. In its 2012 edition ProWein will offer an exclusive space focusing on organic wines, a space which will host FEPCO as well as other similar associations from countries such as France and Germany.
Germany is the number one importer of Spanish fine wines. Figures from January to September 2011 indicate that Spanish wine exports to the country registered €230 million (€107 million generated by DO wines) with a volume of 214 million litres. These figures represent substantial growth over the same period the previous year of 11 per cent by value and 13 per cent by volume.
Organic wine is a sector which is particularly dynamic in Spain thanks to the enthusiastic investment being carried out in the product by many bodegas. During the period 2010-2011, the vineyard surface-area committed to organic agriculture tripled and the number of bodegas making this type of wine increased from 340 a 460, according to figures from MARM.
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Posted
by Organic Wine Journal
on Jan 5, 2012
in Features
From Wink’s Wine and Travel World:
Earlier this month a debate was held between wine writer Monty Waldin, a specialist on organic issues and Dr Richard Smart, a highly experienced viticultural expert. In May this year was the first Natural Wine Fair in London, organised by Isabelle Legeron MW. During the whole year I seem to have had numerous conversations with both professional and amateur wine lovers about green issues. My view is that there is much confusion, and that the overall debate must deepen and continue.
This should and could have been the most important public debate on green issues in wine to be held for a long time. The ‘Great Grape Debate’ was a 2-hour debate run to Oxford-style debating rules and deftly chaired by Antony Moss MW of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Both Monty, the proposer and Richard, the opposition are highly experienced in their respective fields, and known to have opposing views on organic issues. The motion debated was “The UK Wine Trade should promote Organic and Biodynamic Wines”. The audience was small, but included experienced UK-based wine trade, media and educators.
Video of the debate is here.
Read the rest of Wink’s Commentary here.
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Posted
by Organic Wine Journal
on Jan 4, 2012
in Features
Check the math, but I think that’s right. Courtesy of Louise Hurren, via Facebook:
Spoke to Languedoc producer Remy Soulié (Domaine des Soulié) who told me his father was one of the 4 (count ‘em) producers to show at Millésime Bio in 1993 (there were only 4 buyers too, making it possibly the world’s smallest, shortest wine fair). This year, they expect 600 exhibitors and 3,200 visitors. Way to go, Millésime Bio!
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Posted
by Organic Wine Journal
on Jan 3, 2012
in Features
This is from the other week – a story in the LA Times about Olivier Cousin and his battles with the AOC:
Cousin is fighting a raft of battles: Against the system. Against chemicals. Modern technology. Money, as in, the need for it. And against the idea of putting sugar and other additives in wine.
More concretely, he is in a legal battle with the French authorities who regulate winemaking. Although the issue appears to be about wine labeling, it really is about terroir, the land, or the identity it gives to fruit, as well as its people.
In an industry and a country that fears losing itself to the spread of globalized sameness, Cousin is part of an increasingly popular, often rebellious movement of “natural” winemakers.
“Making wine this way is the story of humanity,” Cousin says. “You have to defend it. Otherwise, you might as well make wine on a computer. And in 50 years, if we continue making industrial wine, it won’t interest anybody.
Full story at the LA Times.
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