Reminds me of the belief in 1950's America that canned food was better for you because it cost more than fresh!
Mr. Depardieu is correct, chemical based pesticides are expensive to buy and ultimately more expensive for everyone when rain causes the toxic chemicals to spread throughout the surrounding ecosystem.
He also repeats the often heard attack that Biodynamics is a sect or cult of some sort.
I was emailing back and forth earlier this week with a wine industry colleague about this very issue.
I am not a religious person. Organized religion and it's attendant rituals brings me no sense of peace or knowledge. But I duly acknowledge that organized religion has been beneficial for many millions of people around the world.
I try to hope and believe that their religious beliefs appeal to their better or higher selves.
I don't understand it but I believe it is called faith and following one's beliefs ( even if your beliefs seem crazy to a non-believer).
Biodynamics is somewhat similar for me. I don't fully agree with or understand the need for seemingly outlandish rituals but I like the eventual outcome.
Speaking of chemical free grapes. Here is another organic grape goodie to check out.
Champagne Launois Cuvee Reservee Blanc de Blancs Brut $30
Tastes of toasty, yeasty rolls with some delicious pear flavors. Bright mineral finish with a cleansing acidity.
4 comments:
Amy, I think one slight difference is that organized religion (I'm completely with you on this one, BTW) is about BLIND faith, not just faith, because there can never be any proof in this life of what you believe in. You won't know until you're pushing up daisies if you chose the winning lottery ticket! However, I think that with biodynamics there IS a certain degree of proof. Not in whether or not the wines made from these vineyards are necessarily better than those that aren't, but in the fact that many people have attested to the vineyard's "ecosystem" being much healthier and thriving.
Great points Katie!
Although some religious believers attest that they live 'better' lives than their fellow non-believers.
Also, vineyards that are simply organic rather than biodynamic can also claim a healthier ecosystem.
Religious faith aside, it's expensive for wineires to shift to oganic practices, and it takes a leap of faith for them to make the investment, and change their land management techniques. Especially when forcasting the wine market is so difficult. The ones with money don't want to risk it, and the ones that don't, can't afford it. All this is a little puzzeling to me since wine drinkers fit the demographics for purchasers of Organic and Bodynamic products.
The tipping point on wines made from chemical free grapes (whether biodynamic or organic) is approaching...exactly because wine consumers do fit this demographic.
I called dozens of grapegrowers this past summer. The ones who had chemical free grapes were basically sold out and the growers who did not farm organically said they were moving that direction due to demand.
I don't think the move away from petrochemicals is temporary or a fad for us as a culture...there is only one direction, forward.
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