All united for the same cause
Vast and diverse. Two terms that perfectly apply to the world of wine. From cultivation methods to winemaking techniques and grape varieties, wine presents a multitude of facets. Today, we will explore the different philosophies that drive this domain.
Conventional Farming
The conventional system involves cultivating vineyards and soil according to modern agricultural theories, using mechanical and chemical technologies to grow grapes and produce wine. Unfortunately, in my opinion, this approach is an incorrect conception of agriculture because it seeks to solve every problem in viticulture and winemaking with technological solutions, without truly seeking to understand the overall functioning of the plant and nature. The conventional method also employs herbicides and chemical pesticides to reduce disease risks and decrease farmers’ efforts. However, these products can have harmful effects on vine roots, fungi, and the vineyard ecosystem, polluting the soil and water. Similarly, winemaking technology used in the cellar, which includes an extremely long list of artificial products to “correct” or “enhance” the wine, can strip it of its terroir expression and make it uniform across the world.
Organic Farming
One solution to combat excessive chemical use is organic farming, which aims to ban or reduce the use of chemicals, maintain ecosystem balance and biodiversity, while being more environmentally friendly and human health-conscious. However, the rules of the organic label, in my opinion, are sometimes too permissive, still allowing the use of significant quantities of certain harmful products. Despite this, organic farming represents an important first step towards healthier agriculture.
Biodynamics
In the family of ecological methods, Biodynamics, inspired by the reflections of Rudolf Steiner, aims to cultivate the land by banning synthetic products and taking into account other aspects, such as the influence of planets on the earth and the affinities between plants and minerals. Although criticized by modern science for its immeasurable and unquantifiable approach, Biodynamics remains an environmentally friendly and biodiversity-respecting method.
The non-interventionist method
Next, the non-interventionist method, developed by Masanobu Fukuoka, is an approach that aims to cultivate the land with minimal human intervention, promoting crop diversity and avoiding soil tillage and the use of chemicals. This method, although mainly applicable to agriculture, offers a different perspective on life, economy, and work, advocating solidarity and a simple life approach.
Understanding Nature Better
Finally, the “Nature” movement does not constitute a cultivation method per se, but rather a philosophy that involves a different conception of the environment, human relationships, and commerce. This movement, initiated by winemakers such as Pierre Overnoy and Jules Chauvet, aims to produce wine without artificiality while preserving the planet, opposing what they perceive as the destructive practices of the conventional wine industry.
The goal of this essay is not to determine which method is the best, but rather to encourage a holistic approach to viticulture, by observing nature’s behavior and experimenting with different methods to obtain healthy grapes while preserving the Earth.
Given that each approach is exciting and the subject is vast, I plan to write an essay for each of the mentioned methods.
Cheers!