5. Biodynamics utilises the lunar cycle to optimise vine growth
5. Biodynamics utilises the lunar cycle to optimise vine growth (Image 5 of 7)
Rich: You were deep in traditional French wine-growing country – how did the locals receive you as a Brit, and what did they make of your ideas on biodynamics? Were they sceptical? Scornful? Interested in your methods?
Monty: Initially there was scepticism, but by the end the locals could see that my vines and vegetable patch were in good health. I made no secret of the fact I wanted to work with natural forces – like lunar cycles – as it costs nothing and you can only gain by knowing what the moon, earth, sun, stars and planets are up to. I should stress that this is astronomy – NOT I repeat NOT astrology. it's all about the physical position of celestial bodies which push and pull on plant roots, sap and soil organisms. The younger generation – who have switched to tractors are are mechanised, would say, “Oh yeah, my granddad worked to the moon...’ but never said that they did. They had dropped that tradition at some point, and felt a bit threatened by me. The old guard were delighted to talk with me about the moon and its effect of the growth of vines and veggies. I grew up with old people – they have the most time, and the most knowledge. It is the biggest folly of of modern culture to exclude the elderly.
Rich: Can you tell us about what biodynamics is and why you feel it’s so important? Is there a market yet for biodynamic products?
Monty: The market for “green products" is growing and will continue to do so. Biodynamics is the only way I have found by which one can make a wine tasting of the soil it came from. Would you buy a wine from some bloke saying “my wines tastes of the soil” when you know he uses weedkillers? First, his wine absolutely cannot taste of the soil – the taste of the soil is transferred via living organisms on the vine roots into the grapes. These get annihilated by weedkillers. And secondly – do you want to drink a wine tasting of, er, weedkillers?!
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