ECO-FRIENDLY WINES
Representing wineries that practice Sustainable agriculture, Organic grape growing, or the science of Biodynamics has always been important to the staff of Artisan Vineyards, but never before have these ideas and practices meant so much to our customers. We are proud to take this opportunity to share with you a little bit of information that will not only make you a better-rounded wine drinker, but a more eco-conscience resident of planet earth.
Sustainable
A commitment to Sustainable agriculture gives a grower the flexibility to address potential cataclysmic threats to their vineyard while remaining a faithful steward of the lands they are working. The goal of Sustainable agriculture is to farm Organically when possible, while retaining the ability to react to problems that might otherwise ruin a harvest. Many Sustainable producers are growing grapes in marginal climates that simply do not allow them the luxury of farming completely Organically every vintage. Other Sustainable grape growers are working toward their Organic certification but do not yet have a long enough history of Organic farming in their vineyards to qualify for Organic certification. Sustainable growers use synthetic chemical additives in their vineyards only as a last resort and not at all in many vintages.
Cline Eyrie Nicholas Feuillatte Rimbert
Bethel Heights Pedroncelli Blanchet Verget du Sud
Calera Tolosa La Vieille Ferme Col Vetoraz
Anton Bauer Dog Point Villa Maria Delta
Organic
The large majority of Organic wines are in fact made from Organically grown grapes but not vinified “organically”. The obstacle to organic winemaking is the prohibition of sulfur compounds in the winemaking process. For better or worse, the addition of minute levels of sulfur dioxide at the end of the winemaking process is what keeps wines stable in the bottle long term. Not to add a few parts per million of SO2 when finishing your wines is to invite disaster your cellar. Organic grape farming, however, is becoming widely popular as more and more winemakers have recognized that they simply get better fruit from the vineyards that are farmed organically than those that are farmed using conventional methods. Organic certification, which is currently handled by a number of competing authorities, at its base requires the grower to demonstrate that they are working without chemical fertilizers, weed killers, insecticides, and other synthetic chemicals. These wineries must demonstrate that the vineyards in question have been handled in accordance with these Organic prohibitions for between five and seven years before certification is possible.
Baumard Chateau de Beaucastel Perrin Mas de Gourgonnier
Daniel Barraud Tour des Gendres Cono Sur Hautes Noelles
Tablas Creek Saladini Pilastri Patianna Cooper Mountain
Nicholas Joly Mas Amiel San Michele Evesham Wood
Nikolaihof
Biodynamic
Based on the teaching of Rudolf Steiner, Biodynamics is a response by farmers who are concerned about the degradation of their lands. The basis of Biodynamics is more than just the prohibition of synthetic chemicals, but a commitment to actions which ensure a proper balance and harmony between land, plants, and the environment. The guiding principals of Biodynamics are: 1) to upgrade the soil and plant life in its natural environment through the use of product made from vegetable, animal, and mineral matter, 2) the application of these products at specific times during annual cycles, 3) working the land by tiling and hoeing so as to enhance the soil’s natural capacity to nourish the plants and animals within its reach. In effect, Biodynamics simply takes many of the principals of Organic farming and puts them into a structured program which includes an awareness of terrestrial and lunar cycles and the natural energies of all living things.
Cooper Mountain Nicholas Joly Patianna Mas Amiel
Bergstrom Quivira Cauhape Nikolaihof
WINE & SPIRITS TOP 100 WINERIES, 2007
It is gratifying to see the wineries we are so proud of representing receive such high praise from a group of professionals who have tasted the produce of untold thousands of wineries this year. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Dashe Cellars
Iron Horse
Tablas Creek
Martin Ray
Joseph Drouhin
Emilio Moro
E. Guigal
Schiopetto
Cono Sur
WINE SPECTATOR'S TOP 100 WINES FOR 2007
Artisan Vineyards is proud to represtent several of the wines that made the list of Wine Spectator's Top 100 wines of 2007. Please take this opportunity to click below and learn more about these award winning wines.
#11 Torre Muga
#90 Tres Picos
#96 Fevre Chablis
ROSÉ WINES
Revenge is most often a bad thing but feeling a sense of vindication is okay, I think. The subject here is rosés. We've been unabashed advocates for these lovely, versatile wines for decades. Finally, the rest of you are coming 'round but slowly. Last summer I converted a friend who enthusiastically shared his enlightenment at the next meeting of his book club. His regaling proved bootless, everyone opting instead for the backup chardonnay. How folks can be so closed minded is beyond me; for crying out loud it's only a glass of wine. If you find you don't like it, dump it out.
Two winemakers with whom we work decided to make a rosé upon exposure to our international enoteca of these profoundly pink wines. The Oregonian just released his second vintage with much ballyhoo as the first try was enormously popular and the Californian proudly, justifiably, poured his first ever rosé for me when I visited last month.
The styles are so variable, I cannot imagine any one not being able to find one to their liking. From virtually light reds to delicacy beyond that of many white wines, exploring the range is like, but more fun, than practicing the scales.