Organic wine

The Organic Viticulture ( = organic- biological viticulture Organic viticulture, Biological- organic viticulture) and Biodynamic viticulture viticulture production molds for the production of grapes and wine on the basis of nature -friendly as possible care measures ( soil management, fertilization, plant protection ), taking account of the results of Ecology and environmental protection. The product of these farming methods is referred to as wine made from grapes from organic or organically grown. The cultivation regulations related to earlier largely only on grape production, now also on the wine treatment. From the 2012 harvest is the term " organic wine " or " organic wine ", obligatory with the EU organic logo and the code number of the certification body approved.

• 3.1 Organic - biological viticulture
• 3.2 Biodynamic Viticulture

• 4.1 pesticides
• 4.2 Plant tonic
• 4.3 Plant protection equipment
• 4.4 Records, expertise identification

• 5.1 Floor Care
• 5.2 fertilization

• 8.1 Organic Agriculture Movements

• 9.1 Wine Quality
• 9.2 Identification " organic wine " or " organic wine "

History

The history of biological viticulture has its roots in biological farming.

The beginning of a biological wine-growing is hard backdate. As early as 1924 it was pointed by Fritz Stellwaag in Germany already on a holistic view of viticulture. Lenz Moser also can be cited in this direction, as he called for a conversion of vineyard management for greening. With the advent of increased awareness of environmental protection and nature conservation, triggered by the book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (1962), has also for individual winemakers developed an alternative approach to the then usual viticultural practices. In the Mediterranean wine-growing countries of Europe a biological management of vineyards in the 1950s, has begun. In these dry countries, the control of fungal diseases a much less of a problem than in the northern humid wine regions. Developed the concepts of organic viticulture in the 1960s. From the 1980s the Bioweinanbau became more and more influenced by the Bioanbauverbänden and their different rules for organic farming. From the mid- 1980s, there were directives at national level. Since 1991, EU-wide rules for organic wine (EC Organic Regulation 2092/91), which govern, among other things, the use of organic plant protection products and fertilizers, and set the controls. In these rules, the ideas of Bioanbauverbände are summarized and largely realized.

Objectives

Floor - Floor care

Very significant is the ground as the most important foundation of the viticultural production in all forms of production (biological and integrated economy end ). He is locally adapted processing measures (regular spade test ) and a tuned to the soil and vines needs crop management and regular doses of organic fertilizers (eg compost) where necessary mineral fertilizer (depending on the organic form of production, following regulatory approval, resource catalog ) the promoted fertility and health of the soil. All actions are contrary to the long-term target is to refrain. Both organic farms and integrated managed farms have to reach the goal in the ecosystem vineyard biodiversity contribute to mitigate the monoculture of the vine and its negative impact as possible, to favor the high number of different organisms of fauna and flora, beneficial organisms or their habitat to improve and maintain. The relations in agro- ecosystems are very complex. The aim is to create a harmony between the economic interests and the environmental aspects bring about. With the numerous interactions of the vine with the environment, the relationship may not be permanently damaged. Targeted measures such as a nützlingsschonender plant protection, the ecosystem can affect positively influenced. It is also crucial that the needs of the vine in terms of quality of production, can not be neglected. Biogeochemical cycles to run as far as possible closed.

Biodiversity

In the vineyards a diverse ecosystem as possible vineyard is sought, or to obtain this. This is supported by compulsory cultivation of a greening, absence of herbicides and environmental and nützlingsschädigender pesticides. Differences between the various forms of production could not be found in a study in Switzerland. In vineyards where the Directive are complied with for organic production, occur not more animal and plant species than in those which are managed according to criteria of integrated production (IP). In Germany ( Geisenheim Research Institute ) in 2008 and 2009, a difference of forest management strategies was a system comparison, the integrated model with a grass mixture and the two biological variants were planted with a species-rich mixture found. The Biovarianten show no differences in Arthropodenspektrum. The ground vegetation is the key factor and affects biodiversity in the vineyard and on the occurrence of beneficial insects. Where only one species-rich vegetation is possible sown today in all viticultural farming systems. Only the flourishing vegetation inventory promotes the arthropod fauna. The disadvantage here is that flowering plants have a higher water demand. This may adversely affect, in the low rainfall Anbaubegieten on the vine development.

From the variety of flora and fauna to production advantages in the form that determines pests such as the moths, Kräuselmilben, smallpox mites, red spider, red spider mite and other Rebzikade easier fights or no longer need to be fought. It should be noted that this procedure today whether produced in virtually all wine farms, Bioproduktionsform or integrated, is standard on the consultation and in the factories. The most important beneficial organisms in the ecosystem Weingarten is the predatory mite Typhlodromus_pyri. She holds pest mites at bay.

All of the listed goals, the Bioproduktionsformen not differ from the Integrated Viticulture, at best, in the wording of the description.

Organic forms of production

In Bioweinbau two forms of production have been established namely the differ of organic- biological viticulture and Biodynamic Viticulture by different production policies. The guidelines differ nationally and internationally among the farming associations. Basic standards are before the EU Organic Regulation ( EC) No 834 /2007 ( Regulation on Organic Farming ). The information given in the following refer to the organic grapes and Bioweinerzeugung.

In this paper, the differences of the viticultural production forms are presented. In addition to the biological forms of production, there is an Integrated Viticulture and Conventional viticulture. The Integrated Viticulture how the biological forms of production to economize one compared to the conventional production increased claim the environment and beneficial insects, however, apply for other legal principles as in the biological forms of production. The still -called Conventional viticulture is no longer what it was in the 70s and 80s of the last century. In the 80s of the last century was converted in advising on the Integrated Viticulture and this is now standard in wine farms.

Organic - biological viticulture

Organic - biological viticulture is also referred to as " biological viticulture " or " organic wine ". The organic- biological viticulture includes schemes and policies that are based on expert science basis. It is however access to certain applications of fertilizer, crop protection and certain cellar economic measures omitted. The key differences for integrated production in viticulture are that synthetically manufactured nitrogen fertilizers, easily soluble phosphorus fertilizer and chemical synthesis plant protection products (pesticides ) is not used and no herbicides for floor care may be used.

In the presence of soil testing approved mineral fertilizers can be applied (according to the resource catalog of the Association ). For plant protection, are plant care products (plant tonic ) and approved for organic production plant protection products (pesticides ) used. Of these, the copper-and sulfur-containing pesticides are the most important for the control of downy mildew, red fire disease, powdery mildew and black rot. All synthetic pesticides are prohibited in organic production methods. They are generally rejected as a principle. The decisive reason for the ban is the production of pesticides and not ecotoxicological properties.

Biodynamic viticulture

The " Biodynamic Viticulture" is an increase of bio-organic production method. The basis of the bio-dynamic economy, as far as they go beyond the practical and scientific experiences, forms 1924 held lecture series " Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture " by Rudolf Steiner. All measures in biodynamic managed farm must be assessed from a holistic point of view. A holistic view of the enterprise ( human, animal, plant) and closed circuits through diverse crop rotation and livestock production is the objective of this production method. This essential requirement is in pure wine farms not as easy or even impossible to implement. A scientific evidence on the effect of the measures listed is not possible. Spiritual basis is anthroposophy, which was founded by Rudolf Steiner as a new spiritual science. The roots of this go back to the natural-philosophical ideas of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He was the mechanistic thinking in his time flourishing science not known. According to Goethe, the lives of the people disclosed in a sensible-supersensible form and not in physical and chemical laws. According to Rudolf Steiner ( 1913), the vine has a unique ability: "All who flock to forces that are stored up in other plants only for the young germ in the seed and not in the rest of the plant, pour on the vine in the pulp and so the people are available. " The holistic view of biodynamic viticulture includes cosmic influences, such as the phases of the moon on the organisms with a. Tillage, seeding and cellar work to be carried out taking into account the planetary constellation, as far as the operating structure and weather permit. Note: From a scientific perspective, the listed actions and effects are not traceable. As with the organic- organic viticulture easily - soluble synthetic chemical fertilizers and herbicides are prohibited. In the presence of soil testing approved mineral fertilizers can be applied after approval. The soil is planted and will be regularly fertilized with organic fertilizer. A sufficient supply of organic fertilizer at the winery is difficult. If this is purchased, it must be from a biodynamic operation.

Plant protection in biodynamic viticulture Plant extracts, teas and nosodes essentially determine the plant protection in the Demeter farms. Horsetail and nettle. In addition to those used in bio-organic viticulture plant strengtheners and biodynamic viticulture authorized plant protection product specifically acting preparations, such as horn silica, horn manure preparation and various plant extracts are also supportive for use.

In the website entry of Demeter is in a post " The subtle difference Biodynamic Viticulture" to read as follows: Instead of the use of biodynamic preparations is required. Thus, the horn silica preparation improves plant quality. For pulverized quartz is placed in a cow horn and buried from spring to autumn in the ground so that it stores the cosmic forces. In the fall excavated, the fine horn silica is rhythmically stirred in water ( dynamic ) and distributed as a spray preparation in fine droplets on the vineyard. Another striking specimen is the horn manure, the detectable promotes soil life. For cow dung is buried in a cow horn in the fall to the ground. Also this preparation filling is then made ​​dynamic and sprayed on the vineyard in spring. For the living fertilizer of the vineyard and its vine compost, in conjunction with herbal preparations ( for example, yarrow and horsetail ).

Note: From a scientific perspective, the listed effects can not be traced.

Compost preparations

Biodynamic preparations are forces supporting the essential preparations contribute to the revitalization of the earth, to the quality and yield performance of the vines, as well as health, life and power of the animals within a biodynamic farming operation. The preparations, which are composed of humanities knowledge, are the mineral, vegetable and animal origin. The action of the cosmic- earthly forces during the year they become forces supporting preparations. The preparations should be made ​​as far as possible in the company or a regional consortium. Biodynamic managed farms according to the guidelines of Demeter must horn manure and horn silica preparations once apply crop- meet annually on all Betiebsflächen. All organic manure should be treated with the fertilizer preparations. The preparations are stirred rhythmically with water - " dynamic ." -. , And applied to soil to encourage the soil processes or on the leaves ( horn silica ) was injected to give light and maturation stimuli They act similar to homeopathy are not the amounts matters, but the information and the quality of the preparations. Note: From a scientific perspective, the listed effects can not be traced. There is no evidence that the addition of these drugs improve the plant or soil quality.

Plant protection

The legal framework for crop protection in organic viticulture includes the EU - Eco-regulation (1 January 2009: new EU Organic Regulation Regulation (EC) 834/2007 ). Of course, the general national legislation (eg, the Plant Protection Act ) to comply. With all the plant protection measures is to secure high quality with sufficient income, and the agro- ecosystem and the environment as little as possible affected. The plant protection expenditure is higher in the vine over other agricultural crops, as a number of fungal diseases have been brought to Europe, while the European vine is insufficiently resistant as downy mildew, powdery mildew and black rot. Against introduced from North America phylloxera you have applied with finishing ( grafting ) to a sufficient resistance sweet spot, a biotechnical control method, already in the construction of the wine gardens. The plant protection in organic farms increased compared to the integrated management in addition by a higher number of crossings in the series that lead to greater contamination and higher fuel consumption. In the phytosanitary organic farms and integrated working wineries turn to integrated pest management. Integrated Pest Management is a combination of all plant protection measures. This includes preventive measures, Mechanical-physical, biological, biotechnological processes and chemical measures. The chemical action, the selective use of plant protection products ( pesticides), the forms of production differ. Generally today applies to all forms of production that are in the implementation of plant protection measures available forecasting methods and warning service facilities in the decision-making process to involve. Warning service facilities are now almost in all production areas to choose from. Biological and biotechnical measures such as the conservation of beneficial organisms (for example, predatory mites ) are taken for granted today in all forms of production.

Pesticides

In the Bioverbandsrichtlinien is: the use of synthetically produced insecticides, acaricides, fungicides, and herbicides and organic is prohibited.

When planting protection against downy mildew is, for lack of good alternatives, copper sulphate used. However, copper-based products are controversial, because they have a ecotoxicity, are not degraded and accumulate in the soil. The use of copper represents a counter to the objectives of organic production forms

Plant tonic

In organic farms plant strengthening agents. Plant strengthening agents are after the German Plant Protection Act, substances and mixtures including microorganisms, which are solely intended, in general the health of the plants they serve unless pesticides of Regulation ( EC) No 1107/2009, or are intended to protect plants against non-parasitic infringement to. protecting According to the definition of the Austrian Act on Fertilisers 1994 plant additives are substances without significant nutrient content that are designed to act on the plants to increase the resistance of plants or to influence the processing of organic substances. From plant strengthening agents any direct protective effects against diseases and pests may be caused. If such properties are present, it is a registrable plant protection products.

Plant tonics are in their majority no synthetic chemical products, but natural origin. As plant tonic algae extracts, plant oils are used (eg fennel ), minerals, water glass, clay products, herbal extracts, compost extracts and their combinations. These products are designed to increase the resilience of the vine against diseases and pests. Their effectiveness is controversial, often can be detected only very small or no effects. For admission as a plant tonic or for the placing of plant aids no evidence of effect is provided. The majority of the products, therefore, is in support of copper and sulfur preparations which approved pesticides are used. This can possibly its application rate be reduced somewhat, but can not replace the tonic use of pesticides.

Plant protection equipment

For the application of plant protection and plant care products are equipment to use on the plants to be protected parts allowing a targeted possible application of the active ingredients. Where possible, these devices should be equipped with a recycling system. The plant protection equipment used is mandatory to undergo periodic checking equipment.

Records, property, customer ID

Over all maintenance services are required to keep records that are between enforcement checks ( approved by Biokontrollstellen ) regularly on site, that the policies of the EU Regulation and the organic associations are observed. You must also wait at the integrated production if a delivery is claimed, records are kept. From the year 2014 ( EC Directive 2009/128 EC ), all users of plant protection products committed records of the plant protection products used to lead. In addition, the user will need a proficiency badge plant protection.

Soil management and fertilization

Floor Care

According to the guidelines of the vineyard must be maintained throughout the year. For a habitat for a diverse flora and fauna is created. Species-rich mixtures are preferably seeded. For floor care measures, winter furrow in heavy soils, soil loosening, Neueinsaaten, drought in summer and in young orchards planting can be interrupted two months. Among the vines of the soil can be kept open.

Fertilization

For the supply of nutrients, the greening is the deciding factor. She brings organic matter in the soil and the nitrogen supply to the cultivation of legumes. Organic substances resulting in the cultivation and processing are either composted or fed to an area composting the ground. As a fertilizer, only those agents may be used, which are listed in the current resource catalog. The biological management of an intact ecosystem soil is sought by taking care of the soil, from which the vines can obtain their nutrients. Natural life processes should be promoted and material cycles largely closed.

Variety selection

For organic farms and integrated managed farms exist for the variety selection restrictions imposed by national regulations in the wine varieties. The use of genetically modified vines is prohibited in organic farms. There are currently no genetically modified varieties on the market. Through the opposite of integrated production in viticulture restricted to hazardous fungal diseases, get in the organic farms growing new varieties, especially the PIWI varieties with higher partial resistance to fungal diseases, importance.

Planting material

When setting up a new vineyard in bio- organic and biodynamic farms must be used exclusively vegetatively propagated planting material. This must be produced in accordance with the guidelines of organic viticulture. If not produced according to these guidelines planting material is offered on vines market, even conventionally produced seed may, after approval by the supervisory authority, be used.

Laws, controls, control system, conversion

The necessary operating certifications are carried out by the inspection bodies. Controls during the year are carried out by EU -certified institutions or organizations that specialize in viticulture. Make compliance with the organic production rules safe. farm conversion When changing an operation to organic farming, to this must take place primarily in the head of the winemaker. The decision affects the entire operation and the areas of life of the farmer. As a conversion period for viticulture are three years after the signing of the inspection contract, provided. Only after this period and compliance with the rules of the association, grapes and wine can be marketed as biological response produced grapes and wine as organic wine.

Organic Agriculture Movements

For winemakers, there is on the one hand the possibility to be certified according to the EU Organic Farming Regulation. This requires the control and confirmation of compliance with the organic production method by an independent inspection body, and the naming of state control number on the bottle label. In addition to this, a certification will be sought by one of the organic farming associations, which set stricter guidelines for cultivation and production in general compared to the EU Organic Farming Regulation.

Organic farming for Weinbaubetrebe:

• Ecovin
• Bio Austria
• Naturland
• Organic
• ECOCERT
• Demeter

Organic wine, organic wine

Wine quality

The guidelines for eco-friendly and organic viticulture are primarily the protection of the environment. Just to conclude, organic wine quality mean, however, is too simple. Quality of wine produced in the vineyard with a series of perfectly matched care measures, taking a number of measures are very crucial for the quality of wine that have nothing to do with the organic production rules, such as pruning, green harvest ( yield regulation ) and strict selection at harvest. As a result, the further processing in the basement is very crucial for the quality of wine. For winemaking organic farms are almost all regulated wine treatment options (see guidelines of organic associations ) are available. In principle, supporting the national wine production " wine laws" and listed in the "Codex " products for the processing of organically produced grapes. In the national guidelines permitted oenological practices and the must and wine treatment agent ( fining agent ) are listed. The various producer associations are beyond standards in the field of processing according to its principles added. Since the last millennium have multiplied biodynamic farms with the production of Amphorenwein, " Unspoilt wine " and " orange wine," busy. It is conscious, more or less eliminates the use of SO2 in the must and wine treatment. The wine is made by maceration ( period of several weeks to months ) in special amphora ( Quevri ), drums or tanks. It is almost completely waives any additions to musts and wines. The long contact with the skins, the wine extracted tannins and dyes, hence the dark yellow to orange color and the name. The wines produced in this way are oxidatively and have a strong texture, often turbid and are very used to. For the production of these wines, there are no rules. Each producer has its own method (yeast, sulfurization, Down, or filtered, shelf life, etc.). Do as you like. According to the currently valid statutory schemes, in the EU, they can not be brought as a quality wine on the market, but only as wine. These wines are an extreme niche product on the wine market.

Labeled " organic wine " or " organic wine "

2012 were supplemented in the European Union, the implementing rules for organic / organic wine. The term "organic" is protected by law and any organic wine, which is marketed as such and advertised, must be clearly identified by the words " organically grown " or " Organic farming " and by the Bio -Control ( listed by name and / or the control number ). The term " organic wine " or " organic wine " is mandatory to identify with the EU organic logo on the label. In addition to the EU organic label, there are a number of other organic association logo. In the labeling of organic wines with bandage label is not immediately clear what actually guarantees it exactly. For there exists a large number of international organizations with different policies and their own label.

Must and wine treatment

The must and wine treatment is always limited to the most necessary measures to achieve a high sensory quality. Differ in this goal are not the biological or integrated farming methods. Depending on the operating philosophy, some treatments are necessary, such as the sulfurization in order to avoid the loss of valuable, varietal flavors. The philosophy of the company can also be the opposite, such as the vinification of orange wines that consciously accept the loss of varietal aromas in purchasing.

Sulfur dioxide

The use of sulfur dioxide in wine making is in the organic farms already subject long clashes between farms in southern to the northern in the growing regions in Europe. The northern areas have increased by doing the weather with grapes rot. As a result, in some years, a higher demand for sulfur dioxide in order to ensure a satisfactory wine quality.

In 2012 the EU Regulation, the SO2 limits were reduced for organic wine. Dry red wine may only contain a total SO2 content of 100 mg / l, a dry white wine 150 mg / l (less than 2 grams of residual sugar). This is valid for organic wine Highs around 50 mg / l from the values ​​of conventionally produced wine. In certain years, the competent authority may authorize an exception for higher SO2 tasks.

Go a different way, especially bio-dynamically managed farms in the production of oranges wines. These wines are produced almost without Schwefeldioxydzusatz. They are therefore very oxidatively looking ( orange), smelling and tasting wines that require some getting used to. For these wines, there are no wine legislation as a quality wine.

Must and wine treatment products

Additional constraints limited

Additional constraints limited

The reading machine

Allowed ( no Kryoextration )

Exception

Problem areas

Sustainability

In agriculture, sustainability is an important issue for many years. Through the use of pesticides and plant care products, fertilizers in various forms, but especially with a high mechanical and thus energy and water expenses for the winegrowing is a very intensive form of agriculture. Goal of sustainable viticulture is that the resources are produced as possible spared and emissions. With a holistic approach to sustainable viticulture include the subsequent processing and distribution chains, and finally even the consumers.

Energy consumption, CO2 emission

Beneficial species and environmentally friendly production methods, such as the "Organic - biological viticulture " and " Biodynamic Viticulture" have against the "Integrated Viticulture" the disadvantage that the prohibition of herbicides, certain pesticides and use of plant care products, mechanical loosening the soil in the floor series increased time and costs for soil maintenance and plant protection measures arises. This is associated with an opposite of integrated production, increased emission of CO2.

Copper as a pesticide

The biological viticulture uses to combat downy and red torch copper sulfate. In viticulture than 3 kg of copper may ( pure copper in the 5-year rolling average based on the area under vines ) per hectare per year are applied.

Copper has a relatively high ecotoxicity (copper sulfate shows the Water Hazard Class 2, is very toxic to aquatic organisms and may cause long-term adverse effects ). Although there are efforts by the EU since 1992 to ban copper as a pesticide, it is used due to a lack of alternatives in organic viticulture and farming on. The Bioweinbau tries to optimize the use of copper as a pesticide on. The Integrated Viticulture allows a maximum annual pure copper entry of 2 kg / ha and year. But He is assisted by beneficial species and eco-friendly pesticides for the control of downy mildew are available so can be omitted the use of copper-containing pesticides.

The copper entry is as pure copper (Cu ) in kg / ha and year indicated. The expelled means amount of a copper-containing plant protection product is higher because they are chemical compounds. For example, in a medium containing copper hydroxide, 3.2 l / ha applied, these pesticides lot contains 2 kg of pure copper.

Combating the grapes rot

In order to produce high-quality wines, the grapes This selects the material must be as free of Botrytis. The botrytis fungus destroyed the varietal characteristic odor and flavor and for red wines the red dye. A number of preventive measures such as canopy management in the grape zone and moderate nitrogen supply reduce the risk. Also, the varieties have different susceptibility to botrytis fungus. Organic farms can plant tonic and Resilience supplements such as potassium silicate apply, which is classified as a plant tonic for the preventive control of Botrytis. The achieved efficiency is low and annually very different. Integrated managed farms can use botryticides. Also, the effect is not 100% because the botrytis fungus occurs only late in the maturity stage and treatments are no longer permitted. Botryticides also be applied in the integrated viticulture only as a supplement to the preventive Botrytisbekämpfungsmaßnahmen at botrytisanfälligen varieties.

Production costs - loss of production risk

Especially when Bioweinerzeugung are the costs of production, especially the production of grapes towards integrated produced grapes, higher. ( After registration and compliance; regular inspections ) In the countries therefore support posts for organic farms from the nation state and the EU are paid. The amount and period of support is different in the wine-producing countries of the EU. In the biological production is an increased production risk. This depends on the grape variety, the location, the weather conditions. This danger is especially during the conversion period.

Organic Fertilizer

In organic wine producers the procurement of sufficient quantities of organic manure is often a problem because no livestock manure and thus is present in their own company today. Purchased organic fertilizer must come from an organic farmer operation. Thus, the energy expenditure increased by the additional transport costs.