Biodynamic® Wine and Wine Made With Biodynamic® Grapes
Read more in the Biodynamic® Farm and Processing Standards.
Biodynamic® Wine: What Makes It Different?
The creation of a certified Biodynamic® wine goes beyond simply using Biodynamic grapes. It follows a more intentional approach to both farming and winemaking, with an emphasis on working in harmony with natural cycles and minimizing intervention in the cellar.
What Defines Biodynamic® Wine?
Biodynamic® wine is made from 100% Biodynamic® grapes, sourced from a single estate and vintage. The winemaking process follows specific standards designed to preserve the character of the vineyard and the fruit.
Key practices include:
- No added yeasts are permitted, although yeast nutrients are allowed.
- No acid or sugar adjustments are permitted.
- Enzymes are not allowed.
- Organic eggs and milk may be used for tannin fining.
- Sulfites are permitted up to 100 ppm.
- Observing a Biodynamic® Calendar is encouraged.
- Hand harvesting is preferred.
The philosophy is simple: allow the vineyard and the naturally occurring characteristics of the grapes to play the leading role, while limiting additions and manipulation during winemaking.
“Made with Biodynamic® Grapes” Wine
The Biodynamic® Processing Standard includes a second wine certification category: Made with Biodynamic® Grapes Wine. There are important differences between Biodynamic® wine and Made with Biodynamic® Grapes Wine.
Wine in this category must be made with 100% Biodynamic® grapes and meet the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) requirements for “Made with Organic Grapes” labeling. Additionally, agricultural additives and processing aids—such as eggs, milk, and sweeteners—must be certified organic at a minimum, and sulfite use is limited to 100 ppm.
How Is It Different?
Unlike Biodynamic® wine, “Made with Biodynamic® Grapes” wine allows a broader range of winemaking practices. For example:
- Added yeast is permitted, with organic yeast used when available.
- Acid and sugar adjustments are allowed.
- Enzymes are permitted.
- Non-agricultural processing aids allowed under the NOP “Made with Organic Grapes” category may be used.
Why Does It Matter?
The difference comes down to how much intervention is permitted once the grapes reach the cellar. Both approaches begin with Biodynamic® grapes, but the Standard for Biodynamic® Wine strictly limits the manipulations possible in the winery.
For wine lovers, understanding these distinctions can provide a better appreciation for what is in the bottle— a wine that reflects the vineyard, the vintage, and the natural expression of the fruit or a wine that has a foundation in the vineyard with the creative influence of the winemaker.