Corte Sant Alda, Valpolicella DOC, Ca Fiui, red, biodynamic wine,  2019, from 16,00

Corte Sant Alda is a family winery that produces this Corte Sant Alda Valpolicella Ca Fiui that impresses with its class and elegance. It is an organic wine produced according to the biodynamic rules of the Demeter Federation.

This is how this wine is described by  the Gambero Rosso, Italy's leading wine publication:

The Valpolicella Ca 'Fiui is great, the fruit of fifteen year old vineyards and aged in oak barrels that express a great aromatic finesse, with wild berries that intertwine the spicy notes typical of Corvina. In the mouth it is hearty, juicy and dynamic, a true wine of the territory made from fresh grapes.

Biodynamic wine - profile  

• Color: Clear, shiny ruby ​​red with a cherry red mark.
• Nose: The scents and aromas of this organic wine are spicy, mineral, but also notes of fruits such as cherries and red berries are added.
• Mouth: A very straightforward, direct wine, not a "soft flattery", but an excellent food companion that leaves  a clear, intense flavour in the mouth. It has a nice complexity in the spicy notes, which combined with a certain rigor and fruit make an excellent red wine that can be a great accompaniment.
• Drinking recommendation: at 16° C, now until 2021

Biodynamic wine processing, Corte Sant Alda, Valpolicella Ca Fiui

Ca Fiui has been known for centuries as a hilltop estate. Here, surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. The vineyards of Corte Sant Alda are exposed to the sun all day, providing mature grapes that give this Valpolicella character, strength and balance.

Corvina Grossa, Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Molinara are the main grape varieties for this Valpolicalla, but there are also other local grapes added such as Croatina and Rossara. They all thrive in the vineyards of Tomasotti, Bianchini, Rossetti and Cavallero. Together, they cover 4.8 hectares, planted with 6,400 to 9,300 vines per hectare. Like all Corte Sant Alda vines, they are certified organic, but are farmed for several years using biodynamic methods.

The wine harvest is carried out traditionally by hand and begins in early October. The alcoholic fermentation in oak barrels begins spontaneously with the natural yeasts on the grapes. During this time, the skins of the berries are floating on the must are regularly stirred with the must. It follows the lactic acid fermentation and a 6 month maturation.

The wine at a glance

• Wine-type: red wine
• Production area: Valpolicella, Veneto
• Winery: Corte Sant Alda
• Aging: in a large barrels
• Bottling: at the winery
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2019
• Shelf life:  5-6 years from vintage
• Vegan
• Allergens: Contains sulphites
• Certified IT-BIO-004
• Member of VinNatur, a natural winemaking association, and Demeter, a biodynamic agriculture association
• We source this biodynamic wine from Corte Sant Alda in 37030 Mezzane di Sotto, Italy

for information and photos of Corte Sant Alda

Corte Sant Alda Amarone della Valpolicella, DOCG, red, organic wine, 2012/13, from € 69.10

The Corte Sant Alda Amarone della Valpolicella is the dream of many wine connoisseurs of a wine in which so much care and work is invested as in no other wine! Unfortunately he remains for many only a dream. Fulfill it with this organic wine and you'll remember its enjoyment for a lifetime.

Biodynamic wine profile

• Color: ruby red shiny
• Nose: Complex scents of berries and cherries, with spicy and mineral notes and a touch of chocolate.
• Mouth: A very complex, supple organic wine of great intensity, elegance and density. This wonderful wine has enough development potential for the next 10 to 15 years.

Biodynamic wine processing, Corte Sant Alda, Amarone della Valpolicella, red

I know of no other vineyard outside Burgundy, where so many vines are planted per hectare as in the 3.7 hectares of the vineyards of Roara, Vigneto Valetta and Vigneto Bosco. There are 9,400 vines / ha, which are cultivated and cultivated with particular care, as they represent the greatest value of the winery Corte Sant Alda and the high-quality Amarone, a organic wine of special quality. The grapes are harvested by hand from experienced harvest workers, using only the best grapes for the Amarone. You are carefully placed in the vineyard in air-permeable wooden boxes, and not a single berry may be injured. Then store these grapes in a well-ventilated drying room until February. During this time they lose 60 to 65% of their weight. Only then will you be fermented with the help of self-propagated yeasts of grapes from the same vineyard. After fermentation, the Amarone ripens for at least 3 years in wooden barrels of different sizes.

No sulfur is added to this biodynamic wine, which is why it is generally accepted as a natural wine.

The wine at a glance

• Wine type: red wine
• Production area: Valpolicella, Veneto
• Winery: Corte Sant Alda
• Grape varieties: 30 % Corvina, 30 % Rondinella, 40 % Corvina Grossa
• Aging: wooden barrel
• Bottling: Corte Sant Alda
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2012/13
• Shelf life: 10-15 years from vintage
• Alcohol: 15.5 % vol..
• Allergens: Contains only a very small amount (<10 mg / l) of endogenous sulphites, which are produced as a by-product during fermentation.
• Organic wine certified IT-BIO-004
• This biodynamic wine is obtained directly from the Azienda Agricola Corte Sant Alda at 37030 Mezzane dl Sotto, Italy

For information and images of Corte Sant Alda

Corte Sant Alda, Valpolicella Superiore, DOCG, Mithas, red, biodynamic wine, 2015, from € 62.80

This Corte Sant Alda Valpolicella Superiore DOCG Mithas impressively represents the expressiveness of the soil on which the grapes grew, a real "terroir wine". Its characteristics are characterized by fruity and mineral notes, spices and a firm and lasting finish.

Biodynamic wine - profile  

• Color: shiny ruby red
• Nose: complex aromas of berries and cherries, with spicy and mineral notes and a hint of chocolate.
• Mouth: A very complex, smooth organic wine of great intensity, elegance and density. This wonderful wine has enough development potential for the next 10 to 15 years.

Biodynamic wine - processing, Corte Sant Alday, Mithas, Valpolicella Superiore, red

The experience gained over many years with the different ways of working in the vineyard and cellar, with the aim of improving the quality of the Mithas of the year and not just producing a wine that is accepted by the market, which is correct or good, but the is better, even excellent, seems to have been achieved with this vintage. Of course, the results vary from year to year, not only in quality but also in quantity, and in some years there is no Amarone or Mithas. The grape varieties Corvina and Corvina Grossa for Mithas thrive in the “Macie” vineyard at an altitude of 350 m on a south-western hillside location with long hours of sunshine. The working method follows the biodynamic rules. The chalk soils are stony and barren. When fully ripe, the grapes growing on it provide impressive individuality, full of concentration and abundance of aromas. The grapes are always picked at the end of October. The fermentation takes place in oak barrels without pure yeast and takes about 20 days without temperature regulation. After 2 years of aging in 500 l barrels, this organic wine is bottled.

No sulfur is added to this biodynamic wine, which is why it is generally accepted as a natural wine.

The wine at a glance

• Wine type: red wine
• Growing area: Valpolicella, Veneto
• Winery: Corte Sant Alda
• Grape varieties: 30% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, 40% Corvina Grossa
• Aging: in wooden barrels
• Bottling: Corte Sant Alda
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2015
• Shelf life: 10-15 years from year of manufacture
• Alcohol content : 14.5 % vol.
• Allergens: Contains only a very small amount (<10 mg / l) of endogenous sulphites, which are produced as a by-product during fermentation.
• Suitable for vegans
• Certified IT-BIO-004, Demeter certified
• We obtain this biodynamic wine directly from the Azienda Agricola Corte Sant Alda in 37030 Mezzane dl Sotto, Italy.

  For information and photos of Corte Sant Alda

Domaine Julien de l'Embisque, Côtes du Rhône, AOP, red, Vin Cinc Zajou, organic wine, no sulfites added, 2021, from € 15.20

The Julien de l'Embisque Côtes du Rhône AOP Cinc Zajou (a play on words that replaces "sans ajout" and means that no sulfur has been added to this organic red wine. It is therefore the ideal wine if you are sensitive to sulfur and want to enjoy wine, without having to regret it the next day.

Organic wine - profile

• Color: garnet red with purple reflections
• Nose: intense scent of red currants, cherries, with a sweetish, spicy note.
• Mouth: here aromas already perceived by the nose repeat themselves which fill the mouth and create a pleasant feeling that lasts for a long time and ends with round tannins.
• Recommendation: at 14 to 16 ° C with Mediterranean dishes, grilled meat, young cheeses, also with pasta and other spicy dishes.

Organic wine - processing, Domaine Julien de l'Embisque, Côtes du Rhône, AOP, Vin Cinc Zajou, red

Fermentation time is 14 days with daily remontages. After the end of fermentation, the mash is gently pressed. The young organic wine first is stored in stainless steel tanks (malolactic fermentation) and then until bottling in concrete tanks.

The wine at a glance

• Type of wine: red, no sulphites added
• Region of Production: Rhône
• Producer and bottler: Domaine Julien de l'Embisque
• Grape varieties: 70 % Syrah, 40 % Grenache
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Vintage: 2021/22
• Shelf life: 2027
• Alcohol: 14.5 % vol.
• Allergens: Contains endogene sulphites but no added sulphites
• Organic wine certified by FR BIO 001, Member of AB
• We source this organic wine directly from the Domaine Julien de l'Embisque in 84500 Bollene, France

For information and images of Domaine Julien de l'Embisque

Lagravera, Costers del Segre DO, NATURAL, red, biodynamic wine, not sulfurized, 2019, from € 16.10

If you are sensitive to sulfur, this unsulphurized Lagravera Costers del Segre DO NATURAL red wine could restore the joy of drinking wine.

Biodynamic wine - profile  

• Color: intense ruby red
• Nose: fruity and floral bouquet
• Mouth: we felt aromas of sour cherries and raspberries, as well as a hint of violets in this pleasant to drink wine with a lasting taste.

Biodynamic wine - processing, Lagravera, Costers del Segre DO, Natural, red, no SO21 added

For this biodynamic wine, the grapes from the Nuria vineyard were selected because they can form the strongest color and a lot of tannin here. Both improve the shelf life of this unsulphurized wine.

The fermentation of the mash begins spontaneously with the yeast naturally present on the grapes. The wine then matures on the lees for eight months, which helps to intensify the taste and improve the wine's shelf life.

The wine at a glance

• Wine type: red wine
• Region of production: Costers de Segre
• Producer: Lagravera
• Grape varieties: 100 % Grenache noir
• Fermenting: in stainless steel 
• Aging: 8 months in 500 l oak barrelsl
• Bottling: Lagravera
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2017
• Shelf life: 6 years from vintage
• Analyse: Alcohol 14.6 % Vol., acidity 5.6 g/l, PH 3.78, residual sugar 0 g/l, SO2 Gesamt 6 mg/l endogenes.
• vegan
• Allergens: Contains sulphites 
• Certified organic ES-ECO-019 CT
• Certified biodynamic: Demeter
• We buy this biodynamic wine directly from Lagravera SLU, 25120 Alfarrás, Spain

For information and impressions of Lagravera

Lagravera, Costers del Segre DO, NATURAL, white, biodynamic wine, no sulfites added, 2019, from € 15.50

If you break new ground in the vineyard and in the wine cellar, you can even make 100% natural white wines without sulphites. At the Lagravera organic winery, they do it with the white Garnacha from the Vinya Núria vineyard, because it grows grapes with the most intense color and structure, which act as natural preservatives and eliminate the need for additives. This is how this Lagravera Costers del Segre DO NATURAL white is only made in exceptionally good vintages.

Biodynamic wine - profile  

• Color: bright with golden yellow reflections
• Nose: Mineral notes of phosphorus stone, smoke and spices that blend with a background of ripe peach, dried apricot and aromatic herbs.
• Palate:the aromas and flavors are reminiscent of the scent of this elegant wine, which has a long, appetizing mineral finish.

Biodynamic wine - processing, Lagravera, Costers del Segre DO, Natural, white, no SO2  added

For this biodynamic wine, the grapes from the Nuria vineyard were selected because they can form the strongest color and a lot of tannin here. Both improve the shelf life of this unsulphurized wine.

The fermentation of the mash begins spontaneously with the yeast naturally present on the grapes. The wine then matures on the lees for eight months, which helps to intensify the taste and improve the wine's shelf life.

The wine at a glance

• Wine type: white wine
• Region of production: Costers de Segre
• Producer: Lagravera
• Grape varieties: 100 % Garnacha blanca
• Fermenting: in stainless steel 
• Aging: 9 months in 500 l oak barrelsl
• Bottling: Lagravera
• Quantity: 750 ml
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2020
• Shelf life: 6 years from vintage
• Alcohol: 13 % Vol.
• vegan
• Allergens: Contains endogene sulphites 
• Certified organic ES-ECO-019 CT
• Certified biodynamic: Demeter
• We buy this biodynamic wine directly from Lagravera SLU, 25120 Alfarrás, Spain

For information and impressions of Lagravera

Château Cormeil-Figeac "Petit Cormeil", Saint Emilion, organic wine in reconversion, 2021, from € 20.60

Coraline Monreaud: Since taking over the responsibility of our family winery Cormeil-Figeac in 2012, our property has been committed to the environment. This Cuvée Château Cormeil-Figeac "Petit Cormeil", to which no sulfur has been added, corresponds to our concept of responsibility towards the environment and sensitive connoisseurs. It is a manifesto of our actions that we would like to share with you.

Organic wine - profile

• Color: dense garnet red color
• Nose: intense scent of red berries.
• Mouth: with freshness, full body and lovely, soft tannins. Very aromatic, long lasting taste.
• Drinking recommendation: enjoy it at approx. 15 ° C whenever you like, as an aperitif, during a meal, with cold dishes, with a strong farmhouse bread and a piece of Comté cheese. That sounds easy, but it is very, very good. You can drink it straight away or keep it for years.

Organic wine - preparation, Château Cormeil-Figeac, Petit Cormeil, Saint Emilion, red

Manual grape harvest, removing the stems and panicles from the berries, spontaneous mash fermentation with the yeast naturally on the grapes in the stainless steel tank. After the biological acid degradation has ended, the young wine does not mature in barriques, but in a stainless steel tank and is bottled as early as April of the following year. This is how this red organic wine with pure fruit was created, nothing but fruit and without wood, smoke, coffee, tea, smoked bacon or other aromas derived from a barrique.

The wine at a glance

• Wine type: red wine, dry
• Production area: Saint Emilon, Bordeaux
• Winery - Producer: Château Cormeil-Figeac
• Grapes: Merlot
• Fermentation and aging: in stainless steel vat
• Bottler: Original Cormeil-Figeac bottling
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2021
• Shelf life: until 2026
• Alcohol: 13.5% vol.
• Suitable for vegans
• Allergenes: No sulfur has been added to this wine.
• Member of AB - Agrículture Biologique
• organic certified FR-BIO-01
• We obtain this wine directly from Château Cormeil-Figeac, SCEA DOMAINES CORMEIL-FIGEAC MAGNAN, 33330 Saint Emilion, France

For information and photos of the Château Cormeil-Figeac

Château de Monségur Bordeaux Entre deux mers AOP organic wine, white, 2022, no sulphur added, from € 8,80

"We make virtue the cornerstone of our practices:

• Make organic and biodynamic the standard of tomorrow: healthy,
  responsible and confident in the future.
• We are becoming the spearhead of biological and biodynamic wine producers in Bordeaux. Château de Monségur - BORDEAUX VINEAM"

Organic wine - profile

• Color: very nice and light with greenish reflections in the glass
• Nose: a natural bouquet of white flowers and citrus fruits
• Mouth: seductive and enjoyable white wine that combines wonderfully with light starters, vegetarian and fine vegan dishes, but also tastes pleasant on its own .
• Recommendation: Serve at 7° C.

Organic wine preparation Château Monségur, Bordeaux Entre deux mers AOP, white, without added sulfur

The vines, which are 25 years old, are grown and cared for according to organic mic rules. The grapes are harvested manually and fermented spontaneously at a controlled temperature using the yeasts found on the grapes. This wine is aged for a few months in stainless steel tanks.

The organic wine at a glance

• Wine type: dry white wine
• Growing area: Bordeaux
• Winery - Producer: Château Monségur
• Grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle
• Aging: in a stainless steel tank
• Bottler: Château Monségur
• Content: 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Year: 2022
• Storage: 4 years from vintage
• Analysis: Alcohol content: 13.49% vol., residual sugar 0,4 g/l, total acid 3.18 g/l, volatile acid 0.45 g /l, SO2 free nothing detected, SO2 total 10mg/l
• Vegan
• Allergens: contains sulfites
• Organic wine certified FR BIO 001
• We source this wine directly from Château de Monségur, 16, Rue de l'Église, 33350 Saint-Magne-de-Castillon.

For information and photos of the Château de Monségur

Château Ferriere, Margaux 3ème Grand Cru Classé, biodynamic wine, 2018, from € 57.60

We owe this excellent biodynamic wine Château Ferriere, Margaux 3ème Grand Cru Classé to Claire Villars-Lurton, a real and risk-taking pioneer in a wine-growing region that is considered conservative, the Medoc.
 

Awarded biodynamic wine

95/100 points James Suckling
95/100 points Falstaff

Biodynamic wine - profile

• Colour: deep ruby-garnet red with violet reflections
• Nose: mainly red fruits such as sour cherries, raspberries, red currants, some cranberries, with a little delay light, ripe blackberries and floral scents, as well as a hint of licorice; added.
• Mouth: Very concentrated on the palate, supple body, fine tannins, magical fresh fruit, velvety, elegant structure. Incredible length in the finish with fine spices and well-dosed roasted aromas leave a lasting impression.
• Drinking recommendation: from 2025 to 2045

Biodynamic wine - production, Château Ferriere, Margaux 3ème Grand Cru Classé, Margaux AOC, biodynamic wine, red, 2018

The grape harvest is done by hand separately according to grape variety, vineyard plot and degree of ripeness with with thorough selection of grapes and berries in order to get only absolutely healthy grapes. This has had to be done because due to the infection of the grapes with powdery mildew. This reduced the yield to just over 20 hl/ha. The fermentation started with the grapes' own yeasts and was carried out without the addition of SO2 or other foreign substances at a controlled temperature of 25° C and lasted for 3 weeks.

The biodynamic wine at a glance

• Wine type: red wine, dry
• Growing area: Margaux, Bordeaux
• Winery - Producer: Château Ferriere
• Grape varieties: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot 3% Cabernet Franc.
• Maceration and fermentation: with natural yeasts, 3 weeks at <25 °C, separated by grape variety and vineyard
• Aging: 18 months, 35% mature in new barriques, 35% in barriques (2nd use), 20% in oval concrete tanks, 10% in clay amphorae.
• Bottler: Château Ferriere
• Content: 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2018
• Storable: until 2045
• Alcohol content: 14.5% Vol.
• Suitable for vegans
• Allergens: contains SO2
• Biodynamic wine, Member of Demeter and Biodyvin
• Organic wine certified: FR-BIO-01
• Distributor: Château Ferriere, 33 bis rue de la Tremoille, 33460 Margaux, France

For information and photos from the Château Ferriere

Château La Lagune, 3eme Grand Cru Classé, Haut Médoc, red, organic wine, 2019, from € 48.10

The judgment about a wine is at best objective, always dependent on the perceptive ability and form of the day of the judge, on the time, atmosphere and the glass used. My wife and I tried the Château La Lagnune 3eme Grand Cru Classé from the Médoc on December 2nd and 3rd, 2023. Erich Hartl

Organic wine profile

• Colour: intense garnet red, almost like a plum compote
• Nose: As soon as you approach the wine in the glass with your nose, the intensely fruity scents of red berries are noticeable, almost reminiscent of a Burgundy. We let a few minutes pass and felt the aromas of blackberries and blueberries, nuances of tobacco, cedar wood, smoke, cassis, dark chocolate and sweet spices.
• Mouth: Still a little too young, you should perhaps only start enjoying it in 2025,  then this already full-bodied and beautifully accentuated, densely woven, medium-bodied wine opens and becomes softer. It will maintain its tension, elegance and harmony. The fine-grained ripe tannin will provide a long-lasting aftertaste.

Awarded organic wine

95/100 points James Suckling
94/100 points decanter
16.5/20 Jancis Robinson

Organic wine - production, Château La Lagune, Troisieme Grand Cru Classé, Haut Médoc, red, 2019

Of course, the grape harvest is carried out manually separately according to grape varieties, degree of ripeness and wine plot  and consequently also the vinification. The mash fermentation with the vineyard's own yeasts starts spontaneously and lasts approx. 3 weeks at a maximum temperature of 25 ° C.

The wine matures in barriques for 18 months.

The organic wine at a glance

• Wine type: red wine, dry
• Growing area: Haut Médoc, Bordeaux
• Winery - Producer: Château La Lagune
• Grape varieties: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot.
• Maceration and fermentation: with natural yeasts, 3 weeks at <25 °C, separated by grape variety and vineyard
• Aging: 18 months, 35% mature in new barriques, 35% in barriques (2nd occupancy),
• Bottler: Château La Lagune
• Content: 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2019
• Storable: until 2045
• Analysis: Alcohol 13% vol., glucose/fuctose 0.23 g/l, acid total 3.35 g/l, PH 3.58, SO2 free 23 mg/l, SO2 total 85 mg/l.
• Suitable for vegans
• Allergens: contains SO2
• Organic wine certified: FR-BIO-01
• Distributor: Château La Lagune, 83, avenue Europe, 33290 Ludon, France

For information and photos of the Château La Lagune