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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...

There’s some perception within the wine industry that organic producers are contributing to an international trend of increased alcohol levels in traditional varietals. While less than convinced by arguments of this nature, I’m prepared to concede that a few notable organic vintages have reached towards an upper range of 16 percent and above. These are, however, balanced by the large number of examples where a modest range is maintained, somewhere between 11 and 14 percent alcohol. The nineties were truly a decade for increasing alcohol volumes in wine. The trend was initially observed in the “higher quality” reds sourced from California and several of the imported products from Argentina, Chile, and South Africa. In...

We’re always searching for that special bottle of organic wine to share with friends and family. Nothing is more versatile than a decent shiraz, and there have been some interesting ones of late. You tend to pick them up at airports, surprisingly enough. The Winbirra vineyard is located south east of Wagga Wagga, which places it about halfway between Sydney and Melbourne. Their Retief 2006 Gundagai Shiraz is notable for its even palate with rich fruit flavour and characteristic hints of cracked pepper and spice. Incidentally, it is estimated that one in five individuals are blind to the aromatic compounds which provide the spice and pepper characteristics of shiraz. If you happen to be in this category, you’ll still be more than...

Mendocino County in Northern California may be heralding the eventual return of organic and sustainable viticulture in the United States. Approximately one third of California’s certified vineyard acreage is located here. Growers and winemakers from the region have embraced the combinations of tradition and technology which enables certified organic wine to be delivered to our providores, restaurants, and tables. For more than twenty years, Edward and Deborah Wallo have raised organically certified vines in the Yorkville Highlands. They established their organic winery and Yorkville label as early as 1994 and have since received numerous awards for their distinctive Bordeaux blends and varietals. Q: Which elements of your backgrounds led...