Valpolicella Organic Wineries
In recent years, a deeper consumers' awareness of the environment
and nutrition related issues and the pursue of healthier
lifestyles has increased the interest towards
organic products all over the world and in all dietary
areas. The wine business makes no exception and
all over the world there is a growing demand for organic,
biodynamic and natural wines. Of course, Valpolicella,
as an important wine production area is no exception. There are
many wineries that in recent years have introduced systems of
cultivation of the vine that reduce pesticides and fungicides and
natural cellar practices.
It is possible to organize a wine tour of Amarone producing area
all focused on organic production, or to select one or two
wineries to visit in a general winery tour of Valpolicella that
covers all the aspects of a multifaceted wine region.
For further information or to book an Amarone organic winery tour:
Organic Wine Making
It must be said that the climatic characteristics of Valpolicella
allow even wineries that are not certified as organic to be rather
respectful of the environment. It's been decades since producers
in Valpolicella have stopped using herbicides,
and it is now normal to see all sorts of grass and herbs growing
between vine rows, mowed regularly for natural composting.
Parasitic infestations are generally rare, and
many wineries, even if not strictly organic, regularly apply
integrated control systems and sexual confusion through
pheromones to contain the proliferation of certain
harmful insects such as the vine moth.
Concerning fungal diseases such as mildew, the
ventilation and the fairly low humidity of Valpolicella allow in
most vintages not to intervene with systemic products, using only
Bordeaux mixture, a surface product composed of
copper sulfate and slaked lime, which is also allowed by the
regulations of organic cultivation.
Concerning Amarone, given its high alcohol
content, structure and tannins, which are natural preservatives,
it is possible to reduce the quantity of added sulfites
so that their amount is normally below the limits of what is
required for organic wines.
Bio Wines
Nevertheless, there are wineries that decide to follow even more stringent protocols and certifications of organic production that require a series of very strict controls of the soil and the product, and that even in difficult years prohibit the use of certain products that would contaminate the soil. The list of organic wineries in Valpolicella we collaborate for our wine tours includes Valentina Cubi in Fumane, Ca' La Bionda and Novaia in Marano valley.
Biodynamic Wines
There are also wineries that follow biodynamic production methods, which involves vine growing practices with the use of infusions of natural herbs to combat harmful insects and fungal diseases, wild yeasts for the fermentation of the wines, winery practices that follow moon phases and precise seasonal moments to increase the stability of the wine, etc.. Biodynamic wineries in Valpolicella are Monte Dall'Ora and Villa Bellini in Castelrotto, Gino Fasoli in Colognola Ai Colli..
Natural Wines
Natural wines are wines where only wild yeasts
are used for the fermentation and no
sulfites or chemical product is added. Due to the lack
of stability of the wines produced in this way, apart from rare
exceptions, you will find mainly younger wines, to be drunk within
a few years of bottling. Wines such as Amarone, which is aged for
a long time in barrels and then in bottles, would hardly be able
to remain drinkable for a long time without the addition of a
quantity, even minimal, of sulfites.
As a D.O.C. (Valpolicella, Valpolicella
Superiore) and D.O.C.G. (Amarone and Recioto) denomination
area, before receiving the authorization label a
bottles as Valpolicella, Amarone, etc., wines must pass a tasting
test of expert sommeliers who determine if the wine falls within
the organoleptic parameters determined for its
category. Natural wines, being subject to great variations in
taste and aroma depending on the vintage, would risk not obtaining
certification.
Wines for Export
Many foreign visitors often tell us that they believe that the wine for export contains additional preservatives. They think so because apparently, when they drink Italian wines at home, the next day they often have headache and hangover, symptoms that, when they drink the same wine in Italy, they do not experience. Talking to producers they assure that the wine for export is exactly the same wine that is sold in Italy. We believe that this is probably due to the fact that when people are on vacation in Italy they are probably more relaxed, stress-free, with no work related worries.
Do not hesitate to send us an email to book your Valpolicella organic wineries tour.