4.4 Biodynamic Viticulture Flashcards
Who is responsible for biodynamic viticulture?
- Rudolf Steiner
- Maria Thun
What is biodynamic viticulture?
- Builds upon organic
- The vineyard soil is seen as part of a connected system with the planet Earth, the air and other planets.
- Practitioners adapt their grape growing practices to coincide with the cycles of the planets, moon and stars.
In biodynamic viticulture, what does it mean when the moon is ascending? What is it a good time for? What should be avoided?
- A summer mood is evoked, sap is rising
- Good time to take cuttings for grafting
- Pruning should be avoided
In biodynamic viticulture, what does it mean when the moon is descending? What is it a good time for?
- A winter mood is evoked, roots are favoured
- Good time to plant vines and prune
What is the biodynamic calendar? Who created the first one?
- Advise grape growers on root, leaf, flower or fruit days, which indicate the best days for certain activities
- Maria Thun
What are ‘preparations’? What are they used for?
- Homeopathic remedies
- Used to fertilise the soil, treat diseases and ward off pests
What is Preparation 500? What is the belief/end goal?
- Horn Manure
- Cow manure stuffed into cow’s horn
- Burying horn in the soil throughout the winter
- Later dug up and the contents are dynamised (stirring the contents of the horn into water)
- Sprayed onto the soil as a homeopathic compost
- Goal: manure is believed to catalyse humus formation
What is Preparation 501? What is the belief/end goal?
- Horn Silica
- Fill a cow’s horn with ground quartz (silica)
- Bury it for six months
- Then dug up, dynamised and sprayed onto the soil
- Goal: silica is thought to encourage plant growth
What are Preparations 502–507? What is the belief/end goal?
- Belief: compost has to be first ‘activated’ by a series of starters added in tiny quantities
- Starters: yarrow, chamomile, nettle, oak bark, dandelion or valerian prepared in various ways; for example, the yarrow in a deer’s bladder
- Goal: assist with the decomposition of the compost.
What do biodynamic grape growers use to spray against disease?
Traditional chemicals including sulfur and copper sprays
What is ashing?
Spreading the ashes of burnt weed seeds or harmful animals (e.g. rats or sparrows) on the vineyards to ward off these hazards
What is the most common certification body for biodynamic grape growers?
Demeter
Why are costs associated with biodynamic grape growing higher than organic growing?
Due to the need for additional labour to tend the vineyard
Who is more likely to take up Biodynamic grape growing: larger vineyards for smaller scale vineyards?
Smaller
Name 1 of the most prestigious domaines in Burgundy that practice biodynamic farming
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
