Dynamism in the organic wines
The barometer climate of organic wine says "too sunny"
A growing number of vintners bet on biodynamic Barometer of the climate sector organic wine will indicate better time than ever. Importers and traders specializing in organic wines have once again achieved growth rates in 2006 by two digits. But not only has an upward trend turnover but, unlike conventional wine is more than respectable turnover of the bidders. BioFach, 2008, the world leader in salon products, is the largest hall of organic wines in the world. Exhibitors wines from around the world submitted to a professional audience concerned the best organic wines from 21 to 24 February 2008 in the new wine hall 4A. Atmosphere full of style, served tasting are are the main ecological full circuit of distinctive flavors and a restaurant pavilion.
In total, around 2600 exhibitors and 45,000 visitors are expected to attend the annual sector at the Nuremberg exhibition center to participating in BioFach and Vivaness, fairs of Natural Cosmetics and Wellness, which will take place in parallel.
The Bio-dynamic becoming increasingly important
In the international wine market is increasing the number of grape growers who do organic wines. Organic agriculture methods know the bio-organic and biodynamic. The biodynamic viticulture is based on a production as the lessons taught by anthroposophy Rudolf Steiner. This theory is not only the substances in materials and physical forces of nature but also the phases of the moon. Biodynamic agriculture, therefore, consults a timetable based on the activities of the cosmos before performing certain tasks such as changing a barrel of wine to another, for example.
Spain: the increasing number of producers who do organic wines
Growth and positive sales figures are encouraging many large and reputable producers of conventional wines of the Iberian Peninsula to expand their product range to organic wines. Cooperatives that are turning more land to organic production are of La Mancha, Rioja, Penedes and the Levant, which are increasingly expanding the supply of organic wines. Most of these wines are exported as a barrel of wine sold in the introductory segment of wine. But wineries are mostly deprived of the organic wine that has enormous potential for superior wines. For several years are constantly expanding arable land to meet the growing demand for wine prices above 10 euros.
Austria: biodynamic wave sweeps the Republic the Alps
While in Spain biodynamic cultivation plays an absolutely side in their 15,000 hectares of organic agriculture, in many other nations known wine shows another trend. Austria, for example, began in 2005 to be flooded by a real wave of biodynamic. "Conversion is not for marketing reasons, since we do not need any help marketing. What we seek is sustainability and a still higher quality, "says Peter Malberg Veyder of the hold-Hardegg Graf. He is part of a known group of Austrian winemakers who have decided to convert their land together to biodynamic agriculture.
Germany: dynamic development in the cultivation of organic wine
Germany, where currently there are about 2,000 hectares of green vineyard, is starting to see some movement, and one of its engines is the Association of German quality wine (VDP). 15 vineyards of the association grow over 12% of the total surface area for growing organic wine. "Five other members are currently in the process of conversion. With regard to environmental commitment, we are experiencing great momentum. It is not just a fashion but a lifestyle, "says the president of the VDP, Steffen Christmann. Like most members, also moves in the direction of biodynamic agriculture.
France: Alsace is a model of biodynamic wine cultivation
Also in France there is a tendency to consume more organic wine, with the conversion process in many areas of the large cooperatives in the country's south, particularly the Languedoc region of Rhône / Provence. However, the share of bio-wine areas controlled by the majority of cooperatives only amounts to less than a third. The potential is still immense. Especially in Languedoc, which is on track to shed much of its fame as a wine region of masses. Bordeaux and Alsace are the major growing regions of organic wine. And, first, Alsace, which has a clear development in the growing bio-dynamic, driven mainly by private winegrowers. At present, 15,000 ha in France are dedicated to growing organic wine.
Italy: market leaders in organic wine
In the past decade, Italy has become the European leader in organic wine production. In 1994 were only 3,700 hectares devoted for this type of cultivation, while in 2001 were 44,000 hectares. But since then the area of organic vineyards has been reduced significantly in Italy, but remains the leader in organic wine growing over 30,000 hectares.
This reduction in surface is mainly due to two reasons: in Southern Italy, where it grows most of the green grapes, large wineries have preferred the cheaper types of grapes to produce simple wine. In the south there were not enough organic wines receiving higher prices. The other reason is that they have been reducing subsidies for such crops. A much more positive way cast famous wine regions of the North of the country, particularly Tuscany and the Veneto. There are mainly private wineries that sell much of its production abroad.
The Italian organic sector is being strongly pushed by the president of Slow Food, Carlo Petrini. In organic agriculture and biodynamics in particular, sees the future of Italian farmers and wine producers, agreeing well with the tendency of the biodynamic cultivation in the country.
Organic wines, a trend for the future
Consumers are increasingly demanding organic wines. And increasingly throughout the world. The experts say that the issue of organic wine is also increasingly attracting the interest of sommeliers Americans. The largest producer of organic wines, Bonterra Vineyards, has production techniques with organic and biodynamic, showed no decline in sales in Europe in the difficult year 2006, an upturn in Germany in particular.
According to experts, it's just a matter of time until the European winegrowers cooperatives engage over this issue. For the time is increasing the number of conventional cooperatives also sell organic wines. A wise decision in view of climate change, says Günter Wittmann, winegrower of Hesse and pioneer of organic wine: "With the application of biodynamic means is achieved in the first place and better grapes ripen earlier." Optimal ripening of the grapes brought to a lesser degree of alcohol than conventional crops like grapes, which require a longer maturation in the vineyard. Experts believe that climate change and the greatest difficulties will weather an increase of alcohol content, undesirable property for lovers of good wine. Thus, there are many arguments for the cultivation of organic wine. And visitors from BioFach 2008 may experience the great taste and variety.