The Revolution will be Dynamised - six wines from biodynamic producers - a six bottle box set

Biodynamics is a way of growing wine that goes beyond organic, attempts to use all that the land has to offer and ties in with lunar cycles. Whatever your opinion of the practice there is no denying that some of the wines produced this way are amongst the most exciting in the world. This case includes wines from six of the best practitioners.

Sparkling wines:

Clement Klur, Cuvee Meow, Cremant d’Alsace, France - 

The Klur family has worked the land around Katzenthal since the 17th century but while they produce classic Alsace wines they are not hidebound by history. Clément Klur converted his small, 7 hectare domaine, to biodynamic viticulture and winemaking back in 1999, one of the first in the region to do so, and has built a that is naturally cooled, bioclimatic, grass roofed cellar, constructed from packed earth.

This sparkling wine is made using the traditional method as used in Champagne, using just the naturally occurring, indigenous yeast for the first fermentation. It spends at least 12 months on lees before disgorgement and has no sulphites added at any point of the process.

The result is a delicious fizz with delicate bubbles, a nose of apples and brioche, citrus and green apples on the palate, and a lovely minerality.

Producer - Clement Klur
Country - France
Region - Alsace
Variety / Blend -  30% Pinot Blanc, 30% Pinot Gris, 40% Others
Wine Style - Sparkling Wine
Farming - Organic / Biodynamic
Vegan, Sulphate Free

White wines:

La Raia, Gavi DOCG, Piedmont, Italy - 

La Raia, owned by the Rossi Cairo Family, took on 180 hectares of land in Novi Ligure, in the heart of the Gavi foothills in 2003 and set out to restore it to its original ecosystem through biodynamic practices. It comprises of pastures, woods and fields as well as their vineyards which span 42 hectares where they specialise in the local grape variety, Cortese.

'An everyday natural wine made perfectly.' A classic Gavi with aromas of green apple and white wildflowers and a well rounded palate, offering white peach, honeydew, bitter almond and lemon zest with bright acidity.

Producer - La Raia
Country - Italy
Region - Piedmont
Sub-Region - Gavi
Variety / Blend - Cortese
Wine Style - White Wine
Farming - Biodynamic  
Vegan    

Loxarel, Cora, Penedes, Spain - 

Josep Mitjans made his first 1000 bottles of Cava at just 16 years old and while he is the fourth generation of his family to farm the vineyards he is the first to turn away from using the grapes to produce bulk wine and to focus on quality. 

He created name of the winery, Loxarel, to honour the local grape variety Xarel-Lo and has developed a range of wines which champion the grape, the region and the spirit of this part of Catalunya. Working following Biodynamic principles and with minimal manipulation in the winery to produce wines that are truly expressive of the land and also delicious to drink.

This wines is a blend of local grape Xarello with Muscat d’Alexandria from the hills of Alt Penedès within what is known as the Xarel-Lo triangle. Loxarel farm biodynamically and are well known for quality, traditional method sparkling wines (ie Cava but good Cava not nasty Cava).

Perky is a good description of the aromas and flavours of this wine and these have been preserved by the use of dry ice during a 6 hour maceration on the skins. Floral but not OTT, finishing dry with hints of quince and limes and a slightly saline edge. A lovely aperitif or “I fancy a glass of wine” wine but nice with a salad or fresh shell fish too. Drink young while still perky.

Producer - Mitjans

Country - Spain
Region - Catalunya

Sub-Region - Penedes

Variety / Blend - Xarel-Lo, Moscatel, Sauvignon Blanc

Wine Style - White Wine
Farming - Organic / Biodynamic

Vegan

Low Sulphates

Orange Wines

L'Archetipo, Greco Bianco, Puglia, Italy - 

Valentino Dibenedetto and his four children practice natural, no-till regenerative farming on their land in Puglia in the heel of Italy. Influenced by Japanese farmer / philosopher Masanubo Fukuoka and Rudolf Steiner, the aim is to protect soil health and structure, build a natural layer of Humus, enhance biodiversity and thereby produce fantastic grapes and beautiful, natural wines. As well as 25 hectares of vineyards the family farms around 35 hectares of ancient grains.

100% Greco Bianco left on the skins for 4-5 days maceration. Natural fining and unfiltered. Straw yellow in colour with a fruity nose, balanced, fresh taste and a mineral finish. It has a beautiful clean, austerity to it which makes it fantastic with food or just to drink on its own and enjoy the layers unfolding. 

Producer - L'Archetipo
Country - Italy
Region - Puglia
Variety / Blend - Greco Bianco
Wine Style - White Wine
Farming - Biodynamic
Vegan

Red wines:

Altolandon, Milhistorias Bobal, Castilla La Mancha, Spain - 

The Altolandon winery is owned and run by Rosalia Molina who crafts organic wines in one of Spain's highest altitude wineries at a remarkable 1100 meters above sea level in the province of Manchuela, South East Spain. The high altitude gives a huge day / night temperature range, a remarkable clarity of light, clean air and plenty of breeze which all adds up to a great environment to grow organically, produce healthy grapes with loads of character and balance. She only uses natural fertilisers and promotes biodiversity by welcoming chickens, sheep and pigs from local farms to roam the vineyards freely.

This is made from Bobal, a local variety that has rather unfairly been mainly limited to making guest appearances in sangria, in jug wines or blends. More recently it has been recognised for its potential and made into dark coloured wines with spicy, rich fruit. It also has a lovely touch of acidity which makes it rather more moreish. 

Producer - Altolandon
Country - Spain
Region - Castilla La Mancha    
Sub-Region - Manchuela
Variety / Blend - Bobal
Wine Style - Red Wine
Farming - Organic / Biodynamic
Vegan

Heinrich, Naked Red, Burgenland, Austria- 

Gernot and Heike Henrich are life long innovators. Since taking over the family estate in 1985 they have constantly sought to improve and explore. Now farming biodynamically, which they see as being right for the planet and better for the wines, they were among the first to move to focus on quality and champion local grape varieties.

After hand-picking fermentation is with indigenous yeast. It spends two weeks on skins post fermentation in wooden vats and steel tanks. The wine is aged for a year in old wood casks before bottling.

Pure, dark red berries and a herbal spiciness. A light juicy red with fresh acidity which Heinrich describe as “seriously uncomplicated”. Best served shaken according to the back label !

Naked wines are made with minimal intervention, nothing to hide behind.

Producer - Heinrich
Country - Austria
Region - Neusiedlersee-Hügelland, Burgenland
Variety / Blend - Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent
Wine Style - Red Wine
Farming - Biodynamic
Vegan

This case contains one bottle of each of these wines. If any is out of stock or becomes unavailable it will be replaced by one of equal or greater value and deliciousness.