Best Biodynamic Wines

Floris has already been publishing a guide to when wine tastes best, as well as the biodynamic planting calendars. Here they have produced what must be the definitive guide to the best biodynamic wines, a well illustrated book full of information. The structure is relatively straightforward, with white, rosé and red wines listed by grape variety along with details of the growers. There is an informative introduction about the philosophy behind biodynamic wine as part of a wider organic movement. It is striking that the number of entries from France is equivalent to all the rest of the countries put together, so that French entries are regional. Burgundy is particularly well represented including Leflaive and Lafon. I had the good fortune to meet Alfred Tesseron of Pontet-Canet at a dinner in Edinburgh and his wine must be the first to achieve the coveted 100 points from Robert Parker in both 2009 and 2010. He observes that using horses compacts the soil for less than tractors, which tend to knock the vines over. In addition, many plots that used to go into the second wine are now good enough to be used in the top label. The emphasis is on nurturing the soil rather than on chemicals.