Biodynamics continues to divide. Between fervent defenders convinced of the total validity of its precepts and fierce opponents describing it as a cultivation method with no scientific basis, a happy medium expressing more nuances would perhaps make it easier to understand it. That's good, that's exactly what this article is about!
In order to see more clearly, let's retrace its origins, its precepts, its advantages as well as its flaws.
The origins of biodynamics
To understand the origins of biodynamics, you must first look at Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). Austrian author and philosopher, the latter is the founder of Anthroposophy, a current of thought that wants to be close to nature and presents the world as governed by spiritual forces. Anthroposophy notably borrows many notions such as karma or reincarnation from Indian religions. Already lost? Don't worry, the rest will be more concrete.
Based on Anthroposophy, Rudolf Steiner developed in the early 1920s several applications derived from these doctrines in the field of education, medicine and for what interests us here, of farming.
Thus, in 1924, the latter delivered a series of eight lectures known as the Farmers Course. During these interventions, he developed the foundations of an agricultural method emphasizing a powerful link between the earth, living beings and cosmic rhythms. Biodynamics was born.
The precepts of biodynamics
The first and concrete goal of biodynamics is laudable: to stimulate the fertility of ecosystems in order to produce better quality ingredients (or wine) and to recreate a link between the earthly worlds, plant and animal.
To this end,biodynamics prohibits any use of synthetic pesticides(just like organic farming) but also takes on a spiritual and pseudo-scientific dimension for those who adhere to all of its foundations.
Thus, a winegrower certified
Demeter or
Biodyvin (the two labels certifying biodynamics) must, for example, take into account
the movements of the planets in order to carry out his work in the vineyard. A very specific
lunar calendar establishes, for example, the best days for pruning or ploughing.
In addition, several
biodynamic preparations must be used by the farmer. In homeopathic doses, we will therefore dilute, for example, certain herbs (nettle, chamomile, dandelion, etc.) in water, then we will "energize" the whole thing with a certain number of rotations in order to be able to treat the vines afterwards. To illustrate this point, we most often speak of the
500 preparation, also called
"horn dung": here cow horns containing dung are buried during the six months of winter. In the spring, the contents will then be dynamized in water and then used to fertilize the soil.
It should also be noted that biodynamics promotes crop diversity so as not to reduce biodiversity. In addition, it encourages the earth-animal-plant relationship and that is why our animal friends (sheep, pigs etc.) sometimes actively participate in the vineyards in order to fertilize the soil, control weeds or limit pests.
In summary, biodynamic agriculture therefore takes up the major foundations of organic agriculture but adds to this a spiritual vision taking into account the movement of the stars, including certain preparations and conceiving the environment as a non-divisible set.
To compare conventional and biodynamic agriculture, I often like to take the analogy of modern Western medicine and Chinese medicine. In the first, symptoms are treated after they appear and very often through technology and chemistry (cf. conventional agriculture). In the second, we seek to prevent and anticipate the needs of the body so that the disease never appears, all by using practices closer to humans and nature such as acupuncture, herbs, massage etc. (cf. biodynamic agriculture).
Preparation 500 or "horn dung"
The limits of biodynamics
While the founding principles of biodynamics therefore seem very positive and are focused on the unity between humans and nature, it should nevertheless be noted that this movement of thought and agriculture suffers from many flaws.
Thus, Steiner's founding principles for making his Course for Farmers are based on absolutely no scientific evidence. The ideas presented during this cycle of conferences which was subsequently compiled into a book are indeed very mainly from his one and only intuition! Therefore, we adhere in pure faith and not on a documented and encrypted basis.
In addition, very many esoteric and magical considerations interfere with the general credibility of this work. An example: According to Steiner, preparation 501 (based on horn silica) "strengthens sunlight and allows a better relationship with the cosmic periphery as well as with the entire cosmos". Very precise and factual isn't it?
The fiercest opponents of biodynamics therefore reject all of its precepts, arguing that the very foundations of its practice largely lack common or scientific sense.
Preparation 501 or "horn silica"
Conclusion
So, is biodynamics organic++ or a pseudo-scientific growing method?
Two schools coexist among winegrowers. On the one hand,
the pure and hard, like the famous
Nicolas Joly, winemaker of La Coulée de Serrant in the
Loire, defending tooth and nail biodynamics as a whole by integrating its spiritual and esoteric parts. On the other,
more pragmatic winegrowers, the most numerous, praising the fact that biodynamics allows them to be more attentive and observant in the vineyard. The latter then endeavor to practice the most concrete biodynamic precepts such as the non-use of synthetic pesticides and the use of preparations to fertilize the soil.
Be that as it may, it is unfortunate that so few scientific studies are devoted to biodynamics today. The establishment of scientific monitoring over several years of its agricultural practices would certainly make it possible to lift the veil on the effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of certain uses.and settle the debate once and for all? Probably not, but that's also the beauty of wine: a subjective world, of exchanges and sharing, where everyone can detect and appreciate different things.
If you are convinced of the impact of biodynamics on wines, do not hesitate to take a look at our careful selection dedicated to
biodynamic wines! We also have a large selection of
organic wines and if you are only attached to taste and quality, go directly to
The Lighted Cellar!
