* DRINK BOOK OF THE MONTH! *
++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++
1. BIODYNAMIC WINES DEMYSTIFIED (Wine Appreciation Guild, 2008, 177
pages, ISBN 978-1-934259-02-3, $24.95US soft covers) is by Nicholas
Joly, one of the French leaders in biodynamic wines. He's been at it
for over 25 years. It was translated from the French by Matthew Barton.
Biodynamic borders on astrology and mysticism as applied to non-human
life forms, and deals with the Platonic four states of matter. This is
a book about the philosophy of biodynamic considerations without the
specific details that a viticulturist would need. It is and energy
management system. Rudolf Steiner gave a series of lectures in 1925
indicating what is to be done by extending traditional farming
practices to include interactions with the earth and the sun, the moon
and stars. Winemakers must eschew all the –cides (pest, herb, fungi)
and all the artificial fertilizers. They must also not use anything
that would deny the wine from expressing its own terroir, such as
Rolland's micro-oxygenation, cryo-extraction, reverse osmosis, many
yeast, oak chips, additives like Tanin Plus and Sinustan, enzymes,
excessive filtering. If wines are to be unique and authentic, then they
must show terroir and the only way to do this is to be biodynamic. The
appendices here include a list of the Return to Terroir Association
members for 2007, the Charter of Quality, and a 2007 list of US Demeter
certified and in-conversion biodynamic wineries, vineyards and farms.
There are also 16 colour plates of photos. The philosophy has moved
along at a rapid rate. Already there are changes are in effect for the
US harvest of 2008. There will be the possibility of biodynamic grapes
for eating, and two levels of biodynamic wine. One from all biodynamic
grapes in which the wine process can be re-jigged and sulfiting levels
adjusted, and another called "Biodynamic Gold Standard" with a Demeter
logo, a more strict process. Details are at www.biodynamics.com and
www.demeter.net
Audience and level of use: deeply concerned wine consumers, wine
schools.
Some interesting or unusual facts: I always ask organic winemakers if
they'd pursue biodynamic wine. Almost all of them said "No" because it
would take too much more work.
The downside to this book: apparently, the Library of Congress has no
subject heading for "biodynamic" anything, just "organic farming".
There are a few typos, such as "Umbrecht" for "Humbrecht". And what I
found disappointing was the lack of text on what Demeter was.
The upside to this book: the philosophy and principles behind
biodynamic were very well-expressed.
Quality/Price Rating: 90.
pages, ISBN 978-1-934259-02-3, $24.95US soft covers) is by Nicholas
Joly, one of the French leaders in biodynamic wines. He's been at it
for over 25 years. It was translated from the French by Matthew Barton.
Biodynamic borders on astrology and mysticism as applied to non-human
life forms, and deals with the Platonic four states of matter. This is
a book about the philosophy of biodynamic considerations without the
specific details that a viticulturist would need. It is and energy
management system. Rudolf Steiner gave a series of lectures in 1925
indicating what is to be done by extending traditional farming
practices to include interactions with the earth and the sun, the moon
and stars. Winemakers must eschew all the –cides (pest, herb, fungi)
and all the artificial fertilizers. They must also not use anything
that would deny the wine from expressing its own terroir, such as
Rolland's micro-oxygenation, cryo-extraction, reverse osmosis, many
yeast, oak chips, additives like Tanin Plus and Sinustan, enzymes,
excessive filtering. If wines are to be unique and authentic, then they
must show terroir and the only way to do this is to be biodynamic. The
appendices here include a list of the Return to Terroir Association
members for 2007, the Charter of Quality, and a 2007 list of US Demeter
certified and in-conversion biodynamic wineries, vineyards and farms.
There are also 16 colour plates of photos. The philosophy has moved
along at a rapid rate. Already there are changes are in effect for the
US harvest of 2008. There will be the possibility of biodynamic grapes
for eating, and two levels of biodynamic wine. One from all biodynamic
grapes in which the wine process can be re-jigged and sulfiting levels
adjusted, and another called "Biodynamic Gold Standard" with a Demeter
logo, a more strict process. Details are at www.biodynamics.com and
www.demeter.net
Audience and level of use: deeply concerned wine consumers, wine
schools.
Some interesting or unusual facts: I always ask organic winemakers if
they'd pursue biodynamic wine. Almost all of them said "No" because it
would take too much more work.
The downside to this book: apparently, the Library of Congress has no
subject heading for "biodynamic" anything, just "organic farming".
There are a few typos, such as "Umbrecht" for "Humbrecht". And what I
found disappointing was the lack of text on what Demeter was.
The upside to this book: the philosophy and principles behind
biodynamic were very well-expressed.
Quality/Price Rating: 90.
Chimo! www.deantudor.com
No comments:
Post a Comment