Friday, October 30, 2009

International Organic Wine Award MUNDUSvini BioFach

Powerful partners: world’s leading exhibition cooperates with MUNDUSvini/Meininger Verlag Deadline: 7 November 2009 Tasting from 7–9 December 2009 in Neustadt on the Wine Road

The wine segment at the World Organic Trade Fair gets another highlight in 2010 when BioFach and MUNDUSvini/Meininger Verlag organize the first MUNDUSvini BioFach International Organic Wine Award. The organic wine world has presented its products in the day-lit hall 4A at BioFach since 2008 and the new wine award will make it even more attractive. Altogether 318 organic wine exhibitors presented the results of their wine-making skills to visiting experts in 2009. Some 700 wines are expected to be entered for the first MUNDUSvini BioFach International Organic Wine Award in 2010. The samples sent in will be tasted and judged by an international jury of experts before the event. The medals will be presented officially at the next edition of the world-leading exhibition in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 17–20 February as part of the official tour of the exhibition and in line with the good tradition of the previous BioFach International Wine Award.

The cooperation between BioFach, the World Organic Trade Fair, and MUNDUSvini/Meininger Verlag initially focuses on organizing the competition for the MUNDUSvini BioFach International Organic Wine Award. In the long term, both partners want to establish the organic wine award as an annual competition with the prize presentation during the BioFach exhibition in the NürnbergMesse exhibition centre.

“We are delighted to have a strong and highly regarded partner like MUNDUSvini and Meininger Verlag to support the organization of the MUNDUSvini BioFach International Organic Wine Award. The many years of experience of NürnbergMesse, the good reputation of BioFach, the expertise of MUNDUSvini in organizing top-class tastings and naturally the sound specialist knowledge of Meininger Verlag complement each other perfectly! I am sure this will be a pioneering joint project for the international organic wine market,” says Udo Funke, Exhibition Director of BioFach and Vivaness.

The aim of the MUNDUSvini BioFach International Organic Wine Award is to promote the quality and marketing of wines from organic production. On the one hand, the competition is to offer manufacturers, winegrowers, importers and consumers a forum for comparing the wines with each other, and on the other to provide consumers with valuable guidance when deciding which wine to buy.

The organization and implementation of the competition will be based on the MUNDUSvini Great International Wine Award and it will be subject to the same internationally recognized competition rules. The tasting of the samples entered will take place in Neustadt on the Wine Road from
7–9 December. This will be done by an international jury of experts comprising well-known and experienced tasters from all over the world. The judging is based on a 100-points system involving smell, taste and individual scoring using the sampling tables of the OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine) and the U.I.Œ. (International Union of Oenologists). The award winners are decided by a joint decision of the jury. The number of awards is limited to maximum 30 % of the samples entered in line with the OIV rules. The best wines receive “Special Gold”, “Gold” and “Silver” awards.

Eligible for entry are still wines, sparkling wines, perl wines and liqueur wines from organic cultivation with a number from an organic certification body. The deadline for sending samples is 7 November 2009. The full entry conditions and competition forms for the MUNDUSvini BioFach International Organic Wine Award can be requested from the MUNDUSvini organization team by phone on 06321 8908-9500 or by e-mail at contact@mundusvini.com. The wines can be entered online at www.webpass-online.com.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

BioFach 2008: Organic wine shows dynamic trends


Mood barometer for organic wine points to “super sunny”

Increasing number of winegrowers support bio-dynamic

The mood barometer in the organic wine industry has never been so good.
Importers and traders specializing in organic wines enjoyed two-figure growth rates again in 2006. But not only the sales figures are rising; in contrast to conventional wines, the suppliers’ turnover figures are also right.
BioFach 2008, the World Organic Trade Fair, is also the biggest organic wine exhibition in the world. Wine exhibitors from all over the world present their top organic wines to interested professionals in the new wine hall 4A from 21-24 February 2008.
A stylish ambience, manned tasting area and top organic enjoyment on the tasting course and in the hall restaurant!
A total of approx. 2,600 exhibitors and some 45,000 trade visitors are expected at the industry’s annual get-together at BioFach and the parallel Vivaness, Trade Fair for Natural Personal Care and Wellness, in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg in 2008.



Bio-dynamic gaining importance
An increasing number of winegrowers in the international wine market are backing organic wines. Organic agriculture has two cultivation methods: the biological-organic and biological-dynamic management methods.
Biological-dynamic is the production method named after the anthroposophical doctrines of Rudolf Steiner. This method not only takes material substances and the physical forces of nature into account, but also aspects such as moon phases. In bio-dynamic winegrowing, for example, the astrological calendar is also consulted when the wine is moved from one vat to another.


Spain: Growing number of conventional producers changing to organic
Growth and good sales figures are increasingly causing large, well-known conventional producers on the Iberian Peninsular to add organic wines to their range. These are mainly cooperatives in the La Mancha, Rioja, Penedès and Levante regions, which are converting larger and larger areas. They ensure a constantly growing range of organic wines. The majority of these wines are exported as VAT wine and sold in the starter wine segment. Especially private organic winegrowers point out the rich potential for superior qualities. For some years now, growing areas have been constantly extended to meet the increasing demand for wines in the price range above 10 euros.


Austria: Alpine republic in the grip of a bio-dynamic wave
Whereas bio-dynamic winegrowing currently plays an absolute outsider role in Spain with its over 15,000 ha of organic vines, a different trend can be determined in other well-known winegrowing nations. In Austria, for example, where there has been a real bio-dynamic wave since 2005. “The conversion has no marketing reasons, as we don’t need any marketing help. It is a matter of sustainability and even better quality,” says Peter Veyder-Malberg from Schlossweingut Graf Hardegg. He belongs to a group of renowned Austrian winegrowers, who have jointly converted to bio-dynamic viticulture.


Germany: Dynamic development in organic viticulture
In Germany, where about 2,000 ha of vines are currently grown organically, there is movement in organic viticulture. One driving force here is the Verein Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP). 15 association winegrowers farm over 12 % of the German organic vine area. “Another five of our members are in the process of converting. In terms of commitment to organic we are experiencing a very great dynamic.
This is no longer a flash in the pan, but a very widespread trend,” says VDP President Steffen Christmann. Like the majority of his association colleagues, he is also moving towards bio-dynamic cultivation.


France: Alsace is pioneer in bio-dynamic viticulture
The trend to organic wine is also unmistakable in France. Many areas are converting, especially the large cooperatives in the south, particularly in Languedoc and the Rhône/Provence region. The share of certified organic vineyards is nevertheless less than a third for most of the winegrowing cooperatives. There is still plenty of room for expansion. This is especially true of the Languedoc, which is well on the way to casting off its reputation as a mass wine region. The regions of Bordeaux and Alsace are strong organic winegrowing regions. A definite trend to bio-dynamic cultivation is noticeable particularly in Alsace, driven mainly by private winegrowers. France currently has some 15,000 ha of organic vineyards.


Italy: Front-runner in the organic wine market
Italy has taken the lead in European organic winegrowing in the past decade. The area of certified organic vineyards rose from some 3,700 ha in 1994 to 44,000 ha in 2001. It has distinctly shrunk since then, but with over 30,000 ha Italy is still the absolute leader in organic winegrowing.
The reduction of the area had mainly two reasons: In the south of Italy, where most of the organic grapes are grown, the large wine cellars preferred to revert to low-cost grapes for basic wines. The customers for the more expensive organic wines were lacking in the south and the grants for organic growing were also appreciably reduced. The situation in the well-known regions in the north of the country, especially in Tuscany and Veneto, looks much more encouraging. Mainly private organic winegrowers are located there, who can sell the largest part of their wines abroad.
The organic industry in Italy receives much impetus through Slow Food President Carlo Petrini. He sees organic and above all bio-dynamic farming as the future for Italian winegrowers and farmers, and thus also promotes the trend to bio-dynamic in his country.


Future trend to organic wine
Consumers are increasingly demanding organic wine – and worldwide. According to industry experts, organic wine is also gaining more and more fans among sommeliers and customers in countries like the USA and organic wines from the USA are finding a growing number of supporters in Europe. In the difficult year 2006, for example, the largest US organic winegrower Bonterra Vineyards, which uses both organic and bio-dynamic methods, suffered no drop in turnover in Europe and developed positively particularly in Germany.

Experts say it is only a matter of time before the European winegrowing cooperatives devote more attention to this issue than up to now. The number of conventional cooperatives that market organic wines and thus pursue a two-fold strategy is already rising. This is also advisable in view of the climate change, which is confirmed by the Rhinehessen winegrower and organic pioneer Günter Wittmann: “Particularly the use of bio-dynamic means makes the grapes look better and they ripen earlier.”

When the grapes are ideally ripe for processing, they have a lower degree of alcohol than corresponding grape qualities from conventional cultivation, which must hang on the vine longer. According to industry experts, the alcohol content of wines is constantly increasing as a result of the climate change and correspondingly difficult weather conditions, which does not please wine gourmets and should be avoided. The arguments that support organic winegrowing are varied. Visitors at BioFach 2008 can experience and enjoy the variety of organic wines from all over the world.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

"European Rules for Organic Wine" - A work-shop at BioFach 2008

EUROPEAN RULES FOR ORGANIC WINE
How to ensure harmonisation and regional flexibility?

Friday February 22nd - from 10 till 12 a.m. - wine hall (4)
BioFach 2008, Nürnberg, Germany

EU ORWINE Project listens stakeholders' opinion

WORK-SHOP PROGRAM

Moderator: Danièle Tissot
DG Research European Commission

ORWINE: further steps towards the EU Regulation on organic wine-making

OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT SCOPE AND ON-GOING ACTIVITY
Otto Schmid, FIBL (Switzerland)

FIRST YEAR RESULTS OF THE OENOLOGICAL RESEARCH:
QUALITY WINE IN THE RESPECT OF THE ORGANIC CONCEPT
Doris Rauhut, SRI Geisenheim (Germany) and Piergiorgio Comuzzo, Udine University (Italy)

STAKEHOLDERS REQUESTS AND PROPOSALS
FOR THE EU REGULATION ON ORGANIC WINE-MAKING
Uwe Hofmann, Ecovin (Germany) and Cristina Micheloni, AIAB (Italy)

INDICATIONS FROM THE MARKET STUDIES ON ORGANIC WINE
Monique Jonis, ITAB (France).

Discussion and proposals from further development of the reccomandation on the EU regulation
on organic wine-making.


N.B: in the Biofach Wine Hall an ORWINE desk will be available during the exhibition.
At the desk information on the project and its first year outcomes will be available.
It will also be possible to meet some of the project partners and express opinions
on the regulatory proposal.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

BioFach 2008 International Organic Wine Award

BioFach 2008 International Wine Award 8 Special Gold, 21 Gold and 118 Recommendations Distinguished jury selects top international organic wines World’s biggest organic wine tasting in Nürnberg


An expert jury of over 35 well-known tasters from eight nations selected top international organic wines for the tenth time on 1-2 December 2007. BioFach 2008, the World Organic Trade Fair, is all geared to organic wine and in combination with Vivaness, the Trade Fair for Natural Personal Care and Wellness, is expected to attract some 2,600 exhibitors and 45,000 trade visitors from 21-24 February. BioFach 2007 had already registered peak participation with around 300 wine exhibitors from 13 countries. Some 10 % growth is expected in 2008. The world’s biggest organic wine exhibition takes place for the first time in the day-lit hall 4A and promises something special to tickle the palate. The first weekend in December 2007 provided a foretaste in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg.

545 wines from 15 countries faced the international jury of experts
Trained senses, fine noses and palates, and an expert eye for the fine wine in the glass were essential qualities again this time when it came to deciding which of the top organic wines entered were to receive the BioFach 2008 International Wine Award. More than 35 international tasters from the fields of oenology, wine trade, winegrowing and cellar techniques, sommeliers and wine journalists tasted altogether 545 top wines from 15 countries on 1-2 December 2007 in Nürnberg.

This time, 306 red, 183 white, 16 rosé, and 18 each of sparkling wine and dessert wine competed for Special Gold, Gold and Recommendations. 4 very special wines were also tasted. These included Amarone specialities from Veneto and wine from fungus-resistant varieties of vines. Red wine was represented most strongly with 56 %. 34 % of the wines entered were white wines. The leading countries in the BioFach 2008 International Wine Award were Italy with 125 wines entered, followed by Austria (118), Germany (105), Spain (88) and France (53). But not only the classic regions were represented; currently less known winegrowing regions like Poland and Slovenia also entered a selection of fine wines.
Refined judging method for the BioFach 2008 Wine Award
Only the best wines can hope to win the BioFach 2008 International Wine Award. This year, pairs of tasting teams of 3 - 4 tasters judged the individual wine groups, which are determined by country of origin and wine type. The first selection round of the new judging method filters out definite vinification faults. The tasters know the vine variety and region of origin to make sure typical features of certain regions do not count as defects. The exclusion is justified in a comprehensible way in writing. Wines that present the variety type and regionality especially well enter the second round. The respective places result from conversion to an international 100-point scheme. Red wines nominated for Special Gold are tasted for stability after 24 hours oxidation time. With the aid of a specially developed system, the tasters determine and judge up to 24 parameters, including appearance (clarity, colour, consistency, viscosity...), aroma and taste aspects (salty, mineral taste, intensity, finish...), typicity, origin and potential. The judging procedures provide informative and comprehensible results.

And the winners are... The jury presented altogether 8 Special Gold and 21 Gold awards. 118 wines received a recommendation. The awards will be presented to the winning wines at BioFach 2008 as part of the official tour of the exhibition straight after the opening ceremony. Visitors can then judge the quality of the wines for themselves in the Vinotheque, the new tasting area at BioFach. BioFach 2008 also devotes a special wine brochure to the winning wines for the first time, which contains everything worth knowing about the individual top organic wines.

Udo Funke, Exhibition Director of BioFach and Vivaness, is delighted:
“The quality and bandwidth of the organic wines entered are impressive. I am convinced we are on the right track with the new wine concept in hall 4A and with the focus on top quality for the International Wine Award as well. I am looking forward to my second organic industry festival here in Nürnberg from 21-24 February 2008!”

Conference on Organic Viticulture and Wine (Modena, Italy, June 2008)

9 th Conference on Organic Viticulture and Wine

In the frame of the 16th IFOAM Organic World Congress “Cultivate the Future”.
Modena, Italy 16-17 June 2008

The Conference
The Organic Viticulture and Wine Conference (OVWC) accompanied the last 9 IFOAM Congresses and became an important meeting for researchers, advisors and producers who work in organic wine production around the world.

The 2008 OVWC offers opportunities for scientific presentations but also wants to promote an exchange of practical experiences on grape (wine and table) production and on all aspects of wine-making that are appropriate for the organic concept. Additionally, economics, public relations and marketing, regulatory issues and impact on human health will be considered as topics.

Presentations, posters exhibition and discussions will be organized in parallel workshops following the main topics of the conference:


Viticulture

  • vines for organic wine production - resistant/tolerant grape varieties, local varieties, propagation techniques for the production of organic vines.
  • soil management techniques and mechanical tools for innovative, environmentally friendly and economically sustainable management
  • techniques, strategies and products for organic grape protection
  • biodynamic viticulture

Winemaking

  • environmental and sensory qualities of organic wine and how to measure them
  • techniques for organic wine-making
  • rules for organic wine-making

Socio-economics

  • marketing of organic wines
  • consumer expectations and public relations
  • economics of organic viticulture and wine-making
  • packaging and labelling of organic wine

Papers and posters will be accepted on the basis of their relevance to the conference scope.

How to submit a paper/poster
All papers will be submitted to the joint platform in Organic Eprints. Papers need to be submitted according to the template provided.
The deadline for the submission of the contribution is November 15th.

Contributions should consist of a short paper on 4 pages, with a maximum of 2500 words. For selected papers, authors will be asked to present an abstract (500 words) to be published in the book of Abstracts (Conference Reader).

To download the Eprints instructions and the template, go to:
http://www.ifoam.org/events/ifoam_conferences/owc/call_for_paper.html

Papers/poster review
Papers and posters will be peer reviewed and authors will be informed by January 31st 2008 as to whether they are accepted or not. Any required revision of the papers/posters must be completed by February 29th 2008.

Conference language
All papers should be submitted in English but during the conference translation into French and Italian will be provided.

Conference proceedings
All presentations and posters will be included, as an abstract, in the book of abstracts that will be distributed to all participants during the Congress. The proceedings will be distributed on CD-rom at the conference.

Scientific and Organizing Board
• Daniel Granes, France
• Glenn Mc Gourty, USA
• Randolf Kauer, Germany
• Cristina Micheloni, Italy coordinator
• Roberto Zironi, Italy

Information and contact

If you would like to contact the organizer for more information on the 16th IFOAM Organic World Congress:
Consorzio ModenaBio 2008
Via Rainusso 144
41100 Modena
phone +39 059 209762
fax +39 059 209712
ifoam2008@provincia.modena.it

If you would like to contact the Organic Viticulture and Wine Conference organizer:
AIAB – Associazione Italiana Agricoltura Biologica
via Piave 14 - 00189 Roma
phone: +39-06-45437485
fax: +39-06-45437469
wineconference@aiab.it

Should you have problems submitting your contribution or questions related to Organic Eprints, please contact:
Helga Willer, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Ackerstrasse, 5070 Frick, Switzerland, Tel. + 41 62 8657-207, E-mail helga.willer@fibl.org, www.isofar.org/modena2008