Returning to nature is one of the most popular trends on the world wine map. In recent years, organic wine has become a trend, but also a demand of those who love quality in taste.
Organic farming precludes the use of all kinds of chemical or synthetic fertilisers or pesticides, either for plant growth or for disease control. According to international standards, organic culture is a comprehensive system of production and management of agricultural products, which respects and does not burden the ecosystem at all stages of production and, above all, protects the health of the consumer. In the case of wine production, organic viticulture is a process that aims at the maximum nutritional value and the full characteristics and aromas of the grape, without additions and subtractions that would alter its purity.
Driven by respect to the nature, the environment, and the creation of fruit not burdened by non-natural substances that aren’t genetically modified, organic farming allows intervention only by physical/organic means and additives. In the case of viticulture, this is mainly limited to the use of sulfur and copper sulphate against the most common diseases of the vine (iodine, downy mildew), and to naturally composted fertilisers for plant growth.
The complete lack of pesticides and other chemicals also helps to more accurately express each terroir, allowing the wine to highlight the characteristics of the region’s variety and climate.
Natural, mild winemaking sounds easy and traditional, as there are many who think that we can just leave the must to turn itself into wine alone. In reality, however, to create quality organic wine nowadays, continuous monitoring and careful use of soft technology are absolutely necessary.
Our efforts at Oenou Yi – Ktima Vassiliades for the production of fine wines will soon turn to organic winemaking. The beginning will be marked by three white Cypriot varieties: Xynisteri, Morokanella and Promara. We look forward to seeing how the magic of nature and the minimisation of exogenous fertilisers can highlight an improved type of indigenous varieties in the mountainous vineyards of Omodos!
