.
.
.
Biodynamic viticulture is growing in Argentina in recent years, there are few wineries that practice this way of working with the land in the most careful way and respecting the cycle of the plant in the most natural way possible, to achieve the greatest expression of the grapes in the glass.
.
It is important to know that in order to make biodynamic wines, you must first work organically in the vineyards and meet certain requirements to be certified as organic.In organic viticulture, the natural aim is to maintain a healthy and balanced vineyard to avoid diseases and pests. without making use of chemical and synthetic products such as herbicides, fungicides. And thus to be able to count on the international certification by Argencert Company belonging to Ecocert.
.
In Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo is Alpamanta, this love for the land was born as a need to go one step further in search of long-term health of the farm and care of the environment. Throughout the year different applications of preparations are made according to the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner to help our plants stay strong.
.
https://alpamanta.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/alpamanta-location_map.jpg
.
From the beginning, they have been certified Biodynamic in their vineyards and all their grapes and wines have been certified by Demeter International.
.
Origins of biodynamic agriculture
.
Rudolf Steiner, father of biodynamics, was the creator of this philosophy that stipulates the harmonious and balanced coexistence between human beings and nature, as part of a complex system of preservation of biological diversity. For this, Steiner proposes the bases of biodynamic agriculture, based on the use of biodynamic compounds made from plant and mineral preparations, mainly the so-called 500 preparation and 501 preparation, in conjunction with the use of the lunar and astronomical calendar. This biodynamic schedule regulates which are the best days for each of the cultivation jobs.
.
Biodynamic preparations
.
Biodynamic agriculture calendar bases
It is based on the relationship between cosmic forces and plant growth as well as the influence of the moon and its cycles. After multiple trials, Thun determined the flower, leaf, root and fruit days, which affect both the cultivation of the vineyard and the days when the wines are best appreciated. Thus, the biodynamic calendar regulates the work in the field and indicates which are the best days to do it. Given the influence of the Moon and the planets on the rhythms of nature, there are 4 categories to follow:
Fruit days: these are the best days to harvest.
Root days: these are great for pruning.
Flower days: do not carry out work on the plant so that it can give its fruit.
Leaf days: appropriate days to water the vine.
.
And regarding wine consumption, the calendar also marks days in the same categories. If we want to take it into account for tasting, the rules are as follows:
Fruit days: the best days to taste (the Moon is in a fire sign)
Flower days: more neutral for the appreciation of flavors (the Moon is in an air sign)
Leafy days: not a good day to taste, except for certain white wines (the Moon is in a water sign)
Root days: it is not a good day to taste at all, the fruity notes fade and the tannins are accentuated (the Moon is in an earth sign)
.
The wine and the moon - The Night in Wine.
.
Biodynamic agriculture ensures self-sustainable cultivation practices, with the aim of shaping an agricultural individuality that strengthens the skills of the producer and their relationships with their natural and social environment.
We invite you to enjoy these honest, authentic wines, without manipulation and in harmony with the universe.
.
.
Prepared 500: during the autumn a cow horn filled with manure is buried 40 cm from the surface.
Preparation 501: to prevent fungal diseases on the vine, a quartz-filled cow horn is buried in the spring and dug up in the fall.
In addition, different healing plants are grown to treat possible vineyard diseases, replacing industrial products for this purpose: valerian, nettle, dandelion or chamomile.
Alpamanta has an organic garden to obtain the raw material used in the preparations.
Another basis of biodynamics is the use of indigenous grape yeasts for fermentation, replacing those used in the industrial process.
.
Biodynamic agriculture calendar
Biodynamics ensures that the cycles of the moon have an influence on the life of plants. This is not a modern invention but looks back on traditional agriculture. The lunar calendar is not the only thing that takes into account the biodynamic calendar, created more than 50 years ago by Maria Thun, the stars are also taken into account, their cosmic effects on plants. In the words of Rudolf Steiner himself, "harmony in the influence of the stars is necessary for the plant to be able to correctly develop its nutritional power and reproductive power"
.
