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Organic & Biodynamic wines selection
The biodynamic approach could be a bit “esoteric”, but there’s no denying that there are some great biodynamic and organic wines available these days three of which I had the opportunity to taste and recommend for you
Alsace AOC – Riesling 2018 – Vincent Fleith
Vincent Fleith is one of the oldest domains in Alsace with records going back to 1661! Today, Vincent is the 11th generation of Fleith winegrowers in Ingersheim. The estate has been certified organic since 2005 and biodynamic since 2010. He is a firm believer in minimal intervention in the winery where fermentation starts exclusively by indigenous yeasts. 100% Riesling, golden in colour with pronounced, white flowers, elderflower, peach, wet stone, apple, petrol and later on mango and tropical fruits aromas. The wine is dry with high acidity and good balance. Medium body and long finish that brings dried apricots and honeysuckle to mind.
Dole la Liaudusaz – Marie-Thérèse Chappaz – AOC Valais – 2017
Marie-Thérèse Chappaz is a “Swiss wine Icon” and one the pioneers of organic and biodynamic viticulture. She is a strong advocate of minimum intervention wine making which means no synthetic treatments or fertilizers, only biodynamic herbal preparations and home-made compost from organic matter are used in the vineyard and only indigenous yeasts are used for fermentation.
Dole is a blend of pinot noir and gamay. Ruby red colour and pronounced fresh red berry aromas. Strawberry, raspberry, red cherry but also notes of graphite and blackberry. Medium body with lively, refreshing acidity, delicate refined tannins and a long fruity finish.
La Résistance – Louis Mousset -Côtes du Rhône 2018 – Sans Soufre Ajouté
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La Resistance is produced by Maison Louis Mousset and is made from grapes grown following the principles of biodynamic agriculture and without the addition of extra sulphites. A Rhone blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre, deep ruby with pronounced black cherry blackberry, cinnamon, black plum, spice and leather. Velvet tannins and a long pleasant fruity finish
Riesling Hahnenberg 2017 – Domaine Achillée
credit photo Maria Zioga
The Dietrich family has been growing grapes organically since 1999 and biodynamic since 2003. 100% Riesling, intense straw yellow , and pronounced aromas of honeysuckle, white flowers, apricot, pear, wet stone, pineapple lemon and lime. Dry with high acidity, medium body and long finish.
Clos Henri Petit Clos Sauvignon Blanc 2018
credit photo Maria Zioga
Clos Henri uses natural methods from the vineyard to the winery and practices dry farming. The estate has been fully certified organic by the harvest of 2013. Pale lemon colour and pronounced lemon, green pepper, grass, passion fruit, apple, pineapple, guava and flint. In the mouth it is dry with high acidity, medium body and long finish
Kheops – Les Vignes du Paradis – Vin des Allobroges IGP – 2017
credit photo Maria Zioga
Dominique Lucas is a fifth generation vigneron from Pommard who decided to leave Burgundy in 2002 and establish himself in Haute Savoie. His guiding principle is to achieve the same level of life in the vineyard as found in a forest so he employs the purest form of biodynamic methods in his vineyard: The soil is tilled by horses and his vines are worked exclusively by hand. Sheep graze amongst the vines and all his practices are guided by the lunar calendar. 100% Chardonnay fermented in a hand made concrete pyramid using indigenous yeasts. No sulphites and no filtration. One of only 763 bottles made in 2017. Pale gold with green highlights. Intense citrus fruit lemon, lemon peel and bergamot. The medium acidity and full body demonstrates the extraordinary balance of this wine..
About the author:
Maria was born in Greece but spent most of her life living abroad. She studied Political Science and Media and Communication at the London School of Economics and worked alongside the Greek Minister of Finance for 3 years. However, it was wine that captured her heart and became her passion. She is passionate about making wine accessible to everyone and loves teaching about it through fun yet informative seminars. She holds the WSET Level 3 certification and will be starting the WSET Diploma soon. In April 2019, she founded the Geneva Wine Society. She organises wine tastings and wine events in Geneva as well as online. Maria has lived and worked in various countries over the past 20 years and is a proud mom of a very active 3 year old boy.
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