Biodynamic wines, ambassadors of terroir wines

Gérard Bertrand, as an unconditional lover of the terroirs of the south of France , and in particular those of Languedoc-Roussillon, designs in each of his estates, high-quality biodynamic wines, with a strong identity. This is particularly the case within the Domaine de l'Hospitalet, producing Château l'Hospitalet La Clape Grand Vin Rouge , a wine voted best red wine in the world by IWC in 2019. Indeed, due to its cultivation method going in the direction of the plant, and not in the direction of productivity, biodynamics allows the grape to draw its resources directly from the terroir and the different layers of the soil.

The grape is no longer drip fed with chemical fertilizers to develop it artificially. Thanks to the rich organic life of the soil, the vine feeds on the living humus of its terroir. With its benefits, the grape develops optimally, it concentrates in sugar, trace elements and vitamins. The wine made from this grape then perfectly expresses where it comes from, its terroir, its history.

The cultivation of vines in biodynamic agriculture thus makes it possible to produce powerful and deep wines, fruitier, more balanced than traditional wines. A vine cultivated in Biodynamics allows the wine to express the full potential of its terroir, its qualities and its own characteristics.

The Demeter label

Today, while many winegrowers pride themselves on practicing biodynamic cultivation of their vines, only obtaining the Demeter label can certify compliance with strict and totally transparent specifications. Present in 53 countries, the Demeter label takes up the specifications of the Organic label by adding stricter measures, particularly in terms of inputs, in order to respect the principles of biodynamics. Of course, in biodynamics, pesticides and chemical fertilizers are strictly prohibited.

With an even more ecological vision, Demeter biodynamic wines de facto respect the specifications of organic farming. They therefore also have the organic label “AB”.

However, while today the organic label allows consumers to be assured that they are in the presence of a wine that has not used chemical products (fertilizers, pesticides), many so-called “industrial” practices are still authorized when creating an organic wine and do not allow the wine to express its full potential.

Biodynamic agriculture, through the Demeter label, thus represents a higher level of requirement in terms of respect for a more natural and artisanal manufacturing process. This is particularly the case for Clos d'Ora (organic red wine and demeter), and Clos du Temple ( organic rosé wine and demeter), two estates cultivated biodynamically producing an exceptional wine and using animal traction (a mule) to work the soil.

The qualities of a biodynamic wine

Coming from vines cultivated using natural methods, without synthetic products , biodynamic wines offer a rich and delicate taste palette. While a traditional wine has only two or three predominant aromas, a biodynamic wine is much more complex, and expresses a multitude of flavors and aromas.

The wine is delicate on the nose, silky on the palate, with a predominant place given to the fruit. More mineral and more balanced, biodynamic wine represents the culmination of the work of the vine cultivated with love and patience.

With a Demeter biodynamic wine, digestibility is also significantly improved, thanks in particular to its very low sulfite content. The sulfite content of a biodynamic wine is in fact at least 30% lower than that of an organic wine .

People with digestive problems will find that the wine is more easily assimilated by the body.