Nurturing organic vines

The winemakers’ craft begins long before the annual harvest, when important decisions are made regarding the cultivation principles and ongoing management of carefully selected vines. Understandably, the organic approach specifies the importance of balancing each viticultural endeavour within the wider context of the surrounding ecosystem. A well managed organic vineyard should provide insight for individuals keen on recycling and avoiding the wasted resources which tend to accumulate in other agricultural enterprises.

Since the widespread acceptance of mass-produced wines, there have been fewer opportunities to appreciate the individual components which contribute to regional character, complexity, and coarseness, on many occasions. It is sometimes noted that brilliant wine requires the risk of creating exceptionally poor wine. Others commentators have rephrased such paradoxical insight by suggesting that fruit picked from poor quality vines can only be transformed into excellent wine through concentrating rather than attempting to disguise the perceived shortcomings.

Rather than promoting unified blandness, each component is valued for the strength or character of its expression. By measure of combined volume, grape pulp is the major constituent of any wine. The pulp comprises of water, sugar, fruit acids, and various aromatic compounds. From the organic perspective, minor constituents provide the greater opportunity to promote distinction among separate vines and locations within a region. The skin of each berry provides colour, tannins, and flavonol compounds while the waxy outer layers contain the natural yeasts which contribute to fermentation. Pips and stalks contain bitter tannins and complex aromatic compounds which may lift or complement the soft finish of an aged wine.

Nurturing is best applied with careful water restrictions in place. Most European varieties prefer relatively dry climate and can be raised without the application of chemical fungicides. Some growers choose to prioritise the overall volume of their harvest by encouraging larger berries. Others continue to seek a smaller, compact fruit, thereby allowing greater expression from the skin and stalks, as opposed to the pulp.