Theme: Biodynamic or Organic, Sustainable Wines
Biodynamic wine - The concept of Biodynamics started in the 1920s with an Austrian Philosopher named Rudolph Steiner. It is a holistic, homeopathic manner of farming that, of course, also includes viticulture. It is the oldest, anti-chemical agrigultural movement that predates the creation of organic farming by about 20 years. - Wine Folly
A wine made from biodynamic grapes means that a vintner uses biodynamically grown grapes, but followed a less strict list of rules in winemaking. sustainability refers to a range of practices that are not only ecologically sound, but also economically viable and socially responsible.
Organic wine is wine made from grapes grown in accordance with principles of organic farming, which typically excludes the use of artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides. There are an estimated 1500–2000 organic wine producers globally,including negociant labels, with more than 885 of these organic domaines in France alone. The legal definition of organic wine varies from country to country. The primary difference in the way that organic wine is defined relates to the use (or non use) of preservatives during the wine-making process.
In the USA, strict rules govern the organic winemaking process at all stages of production including harvesting, the types of yeast that can be used during fermentation as well as storage conditions. These rules are applied for all imported and domestic wines that acquire USDA certification. In the USA, the total sulfite level must be less than 20 parts per million in order to receive organic certification. Organic certification in the UK is more simple as based on the fact that the grapes are grown organically.
Bring: TWITs should bring a bottle of an Organic or Biodynamic Sustainable Wine - within our usual price range (Up to $20/bottle for Single Attendee, between $20 - $40/bottle for Couples, couples only expected to bring 1 bottle per couple)
ALSO
Be prepared to tell us why you selected that bottle to bring. We want to hear your story.
Lane & Vicki served organic food for the tasting. it was DELICIOUS!
Tasting Notes:
1) 2010 IGT Saladini Pilastri (Vendemmia) Pregio del Conte Rosso - $16.49 @ Total Wine
blend of 50% Montepulciano and 50% Aglianico
13.5% alcohol
unfiltered, dark tart fruits, tastes French, dark garnet, dry, lovely nose, strawberry, cranberry, spicy, lively, drinkable
2) 2015 Nicolas Carmarans "Maximus" Aveyron, Languedoc-Rousillon - $29.99 @ Le Caveau
100% Fer Servadou
11.5% alcohol
smells of Jura, funky, day drinking, effervescent, floral, fizz from tip of your tongue down, refreshing, fun in your mouth, needs more chill, there's a creaminess to it.
3) 2014 Elizabeth Rose Pinot Noir, Yountville, CA - $21.99 @ Total Wine
100% Pinot Noir
13.9% alcohol
funky, death in the fridge, French, I know this wine, this is different, peppery, celery, the Bloody Mary, well-balanced, peppery finish, soooo peppery, "tastes like it was made from grape", cherry nose, maraschino cherry,
4) 2011 Les Champs de l'Abbaye Monthelie Les Sous Roches, Cote de Beaune, France - $50 @ Le Caveau 100% Pinot Noir
12% alcohol
funky nose, dry, bold, least favorite, simple wine for simple drinking, flat, I would drink this, a house wine, Irish Springs Soap, acidic, terrible finish, flaccid, pair carefully, unattractive sweet tart, the nose is promising but the palate doesn't deliver, a bad date, it doesn't have a flavor, where's the dumping thing? it feels like it will never open up, it's not going places, you're fired.
5) 2013 Domaine Olivier Pithon "Cuvee Lais" Languedoc-Rousillon - $26 @ Le Caveau (with case discount). Blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan
13.6% alcohol
funk-bomb, barnyard, cow pasture in outer space, the mouth is nice, tastes better than it smells, like cheese, serious tannins going on, grippy-ness on your molars, mohair socks on your molars.
5) 2013 Domaine Olivier Pithon "Cuvee Lais" Languedoc-Rousillon - $26 @ Le Caveau (with case discount). Blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan
13.6% alcohol
funk-bomb, barnyard, cow pasture in outer space, the mouth is nice, tastes better than it smells, like cheese, serious tannins going on, grippy-ness on your molars, mohair socks on your molars.
