A comparison trial of organic, biodynamic and conventional viticulture in Australia

Abstract

Recently, organic and biodynamic viticultural practices have received much attention, especially by premium grape growers worldwide. This growth is coupled by a demand for organic and alternative methods of agriculture due to increasing consumer concern regarding food quality and safety. Although receiving increasing interest among the wine industry, biodynamic agriculture in particular is raising controversy worldwide and has been described as occult and non-scientific suggesting further research is required. The aim of this study was to compare vine performance, berry composition and wine quality of four management systems: Biodynamic (BD), Organic (ORG), Low Input Conventional (LCON) and High Input Conventional (HCON). A trial was established in 2008 in a commercial vineyard located in McLaren Vale, Australia on Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L.) grapevines. Measurements of vine performance, berry composition and wine quality were used to compare management treatments. The results from four seasons starting in 2008/09 will be presented. No consistent effect of management system was seen in the first two season’s results. However, in the third and fourth season vine vegetative and reproductive growth was lower for ORG and BD treatments compared to LCON and HCON. No significant differences were found between treatments for traditional berry compositional measures such as total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, total anthocyanins or phenolics. Wines produced from the trial were assessed by an expert panel of winemakers from the McLaren Vale wineregion. No differences in wine quality were observed between management treatments in the 2009/10 season, however in 2010/11 ORG and in particular BD wines were described as being more rich, textural, complex and vibrant than LCON and HCON wines. Wine results from the 2011/12 season are yet to be assessed but will be presented. BD and ORG management can significantly alter vine performance and wine quality.