Biodynamic Wines – Episode #168

January 17, 2007

Wines tasted in this episode:

2003 Zind Humbrecht Riesling
2004 Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Cot
2004 Antiyal Red
2002 Cullen Cabernet/ Merlot Diana Madeline

Links mentioned in todays episode.

Fork and bottle.
Ebay Cup Auction.

Biodynamic wines whats the scoop? and how do these four taste? These are all questions Gary Vaynerchuk will answer on todays Wine Library TV episode.

103 Responses

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January 30, 2007

flavasauce
Mark Block, I understand your skeptisism and think it’s healthy. However just because modern science doesn’t give it’s seal of approval do you really think that is enough to dismiss something? “Modern science”
is a very young thing and is not infallable. The Tibetans have had words for the parts of atoms for at least a thousand years (probobly longer )and understood that matter is not a fixed “thing” but actually just movement, energy. Quantum physics has only recently figured this out. There are new ideas in science that would seem to support the ideas behind biodynamics mainly that everthing in the environment is interconnected so yes the seasons, moon cycle and even the animals in the vineyard have an effect on neverything else. It’s good not to beleive everything you hear but it is als oimportant to keep an open mind, non?
January 22, 2007

Miguelo DiMarco
I think the first R-rated movie I saw was “Porky’s”, unless “Jaws” (the original) was an “R” movie.
January 20, 2007

ThomasS
Late comment … too much work . Anyway, nice episode: good idea to talk about that. Still, I don’t know what to think of all this biodynamic talk. So difficult to find some good information about it. Is it really that ‘homeopatic’, what’s the ecological reasoning behind it and what’s the link with commercial discourse? I dunno, … it really seems a bit awkward to me, all that jibberjabber about mooncycles, climate karma and all that. Reminds me in of the similar paths of the Monodvino-winemakers, wineconsultants, … ; so, is it really true that those wines HAVE more TERROIR? Not in my experience (yet that’s a very limited one).
QOTD: what R-movie, never known anything about R’s, or S’s, or T’s, … Just watched everything, nothing so exciting about that … What about your first R-wine?
January 19, 2007

DJA
Another great show. Keep them coming!
January 19, 2007

Dominus
QOD: First R rating has to be The Exorcist and I’m an old guy!

Going to buy some Humbrecht tomorrow.

Go Colts! Beat pretty boy Brady.

Dom
January 19, 2007

Lawrence Leichtman
Went to Quntessa to see their biodynamic farming methods and was very impressed. The wines were equally impressive, some of the better cabs I have tasted but somewhat high priced with limited availability. That said I bought a case from 3 vintages at the winery and am going back there in February to see how they have done over the winter. Are there any other biodynamic viinyards in the US that one can tour or do tastings?
January 18, 2007

Mark Block
Pardon me for getting passionate here. The theory behind Biodynamics — like Homeopathy — is utter hogwash. I get mad when I hear this crap. It’s anti-science, anti-reason nonsense invented by a delusional Aryan mystic. I don’t understand why intelligent people don’t get offended by it. I’m offended.

http://waldorfcritics.org/active/articles/NJP_RudolfSteinerAndJews.html

http://www.skepticreport.com/newage/steiner.htm

Beyond being merely offended, I feel it’s dangerous to promote Biodynamics. It’s NOT OK to treat irrational beliefs as just one more thing worthy of intelligent debate. This country and our kids need more and better science education; Biodynamics, Homeopathy, Astrology, New-Age Mysticism and Creationism teach the absolute worst lessons.

That’s not to say the the wines can’t be good. Hey, the vines get a lot of TLC. But promoting the nonsense behind it is very uncool.

QOTD. “Bonnie & Clyde” was probably my first R rated movie. As a college student I saw “Last Tango” with my parents. Scarred me for life.
January 18, 2007

GeneV
Olivier Humbrecht is a major force in wine. Love the Zinds–could be my favorite producer. Good job spreading the word.
January 18, 2007

yowens44
Stong Show. Appreciate your honesty and dogging some of the wines sold at winelibrary that you don’t appreciate. 1st R rated movie was one of the Police Academies with good old Bobcat.
January 18, 2007

Randy B
Okay, here goes. Circa 1960 and I’m with the gang-of-four, Phillip, his younger brother Sammy, Tommy and me. We have just watched some cartoon movie at the Roxie Theater, a one screen theater house in NorCal. Since we had plenty of candy left that we had bought next door at Sears, we decided to stay for the next show. a show that all of the town was abuzz about. This risque movie was called Summer Place. So we sneak up into the Lodges and hide until the movie starts. A Summer Place starring Sandra Dee and who cared about the other actors. Did they really stay out all night together? Wow!

Ciao,

Randy
January 18, 2007

Jtk
Gary, good episode today. Damn, I’m going out of town tonight. I’ll try to catch the live episode if i can though. QOTD: H.O.T.S. Cheers & Keep up the excellent work ~~~ Kaspar
January 18, 2007

Lb in KS
Vanishing point, 1971. Thanks for scaring the hell out me, G. Never really thought about it before….to think I’m 8 maybe 9 years old watching my first R rated movie. Oh the perks of knowing the theatre owners in a small town. I had to lmao @ Comment 25: By John Blue Label.. holy crap, forgot all about that one.
January 18, 2007

Jay
Fast Times at Ridgmont High.
I was 12 and my Brother and his friends were 16. He had to ask someone to buy tickets for us at the theater.
January 18, 2007

Tim Tamblin
If memory serves me well, Rosemary’s Baby. Man, the rest of you guys are a bunch of curtain climbers…
January 18, 2007

Wil H
Jaws, 1975. It might have been a PG, but I was only 8 at the time. I had to beg my parents to let me see it. I still have Shark nightmares… 30 years later.

Informative episode Gary.
Thanks.
Looking forward to tomorrow.
January 18, 2007

Keith Miller
WOW ….1974 …. Death Wish….That was disturbing at 14 years old…WHEW!!! Should have been X-Rated for those times.
January 18, 2007

Joe Po
QOD: Midnight Cowboy with Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voigt
Good luck on the LiveWLTV. Will try to tune in.
January 18, 2007

Matthew L
Interesting show Gary. I used to lobby for the biotechnology industry and learned a LOT about biodynamic and organic farming. I, too, like the idea of wineries attempting to be green.

QOTD: If memory serves, I saw my first R-rated in 1978 at the ripe age of 12. It was Blue Collar with Richard Pryor.
January 18, 2007

boyd
QOTD: Rain Man

K-Mart sucks!
January 18, 2007

aktormedic
Nice episode. There are really few producers from Alsace that command as much respect (or as much money) as Z-H….and for good reason. Never had a bad bottle from them. Olivier is a interesting person, the only MW that has a Grand Cru Vinyard, and even the first Frenchman to get a MW(I believe) and he is really helping the wine world and it’s natural proponents.

Adam
January 18, 2007

Jeroboam
Gary:

Interesting topic – adds some context to the usual swirl and spit. It would be interesting if you continued to explore various aspects of winemaking and viticulture. For example, an episode comparing Napa cabs from various terroirs – is it possible to taste the difference between mountainsideand valley grapes? A little more detail re the varietals used in red blends would also be interesting. Assuming you’re still at this during the ‘07 crush, I’d like to see an episode where you taste the fresh grapes side-by-side with the wines that use those grapes. For many of us who haven’t spent time in vineyards and wineries, this would illuminate much of the creativity that inpsires winemaking.

Live WLTV seems to contradict a basic principle of a video blog – it’s uncoupled from real time. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to seeing how you manage the frenzy of messages on Friday.

QOTD: Cuckoo’s Nest. Nicholson’s best.
January 18, 2007

John
A New Subsciber !!
I have taken several Wine Classes but you make it fun Vay…Near….Chuck!!!
And I’m learning !!
I like the idea of telling us first what you are tasting
and then I can come into the store and buy some of the
selections.
January 18, 2007

Brian
To Drewnoir 24: That’s the sulfur dioxide they use to sterilize er, preserve the wine. It’s sometimes rotten eggy, but if you smell sulfur it’s used to stop mold from growing on (no doubt) purchased fruit. Gunpowder, matches, etc. Gary, part of bio-dynamicysm involves burying a chicken bone on the eve of a full moon…don’t know what it does, but you should see my tomatoes in the summer! QOTD: Phantasm at Blue Star in Watchung with my brother and his friend, they didn’t want to take me, but I was a very persuasive 11 yr old. (Actually had the dirt on him and his girlfriend he-he)
January 18, 2007

10SGuy
QOTD: “Stand By Me” -This movie would probably be Rated G now but in 1986 it was Rated R.
January 18, 2007

Deano
Hey Gary great episode I learned a lot I didnt know about the biodynamics. The wonderful thought of cow head is great LOL. I wont be able to join you live so i am upset but i am sure it will be a great episode.

QOTD: I think it was speed with keanu reeves and dennis hopper but not sure.