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Biodynamic wines are those made using the principles of biodynamic agriculture. In most cases, however, one speaks of wine made from biodynamic grapes, rather than of biodynamic wine. Increasingly these are becoming known as BD wines. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... // Biodynamic agriculture, or biodynamics is an organic farming system (but predates the term). ...

The practice of biodynamics in viticulture (grape growing) has become popular in recent years, especially in Europe, particularly in France, but also in the "New World" (i.e. California, Washington and Oregon; Australia, Chile, South Africa, Canada; and, back in Europe, also in Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Germany). wine grapes Viticulture (from the Latin word for vine) refers to the cultivation of grapes, often for use in the production of wine. ...

Like biodynamic agriculture in general, biodynamic grape-growing stems from the ideas and suggestions of Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925), who gave his now famous "Agriculture Course" in 1924, predating most of the organic movement. The principles and practices of biodynamics are based on his spiritual/practical philosophy, called anthroposophy, which includes understanding the ecological, the energetic, and the spiritual in nature. Rudolf Steiner. ... 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Anthroposophy, also called spiritual science, is a spiritual philosophy based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner,[1] which states that anyone who conscientiously cultivates sense-free thinking can attain experience of and insights into the spiritual world. ...

Many grape growers claim to have tried biodynamic methods and found immediate improvements in the health of their vineyards, specifically speaking in the areas of biodiversity, soil fertility, crop nutrition, and pest, weed, and disease management. Winemakers claim to have noted stronger, clearer, more vibrant tastes, as well as wines that remain drinkable longer. Critics say that many of these improvements would have happened if organic farming was used, without the mysticism involved in biodynamics. Nonetheless, there is an upsurge of interest among grape growers worldwide and in the media, with a number of very high-end, high-profile commercial growers also converting to biodynamic practices. A common vineyard. ... Organic cultivation of mixed vegetables in Capay, California. ... Mysticism (from the Greek μυστικός (mystikos) an initiate (of the Eleusinian Mysteries, μυστήρια (mysteria) meaning initiation[1])) is the pursuit of achieving communion or identity with, or conscious awareness of, ultimate reality, the divine, spiritual truth, or God through direct experience, intuition, or insight; and the belief that such experience is one...

As a practical method of farming, biodynamics embodies the ideal of ever-increasing ecological self-sufficiency just as with modern agroecology, but arrives at this goal via ethical-spiritual considerations. Intention, focus on detail, inner attitude and so on, are valued as part and parcel of mastering excellence in grape growing and wine making.

References

• Monty Waldin, Biodynamic Wines ISBN 1-84000-964-0
• Nicholas Joly, Wine from Sky to Earth: Growing & Appreciating Biodynamic Wine ISBN 0-911311-60-2
• Paul Howard "Biodynamic Bibliography". Extensive list of books and papers/articles on biodynamicsWine Alchemy
• Paul Howard "Biodynamic Directory". Listing of Biodynamic wine producers worldwide Wine Alchemy
• Max Allen, "www.redwhiteandgreen.com.au - Biodynamic wines in Australia". [1]

See also

• Organic wine
• Natural wine

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into wine. ... Natural wine is wine made with as little chemical and technological intervention as possible, either in the way the grapes are grown or the way they are made into wine. ...

External links

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• Biodynamic viticulture at morethanorganic.com
• "Organic Wine Journal" an online magazine for organic and biodynamic wine
• Biodynamic wine in London, United Kingdom from Wine of Course