In biodynamic wine, what are root, leaf, fruit and flower days?
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Dear Dr. Vinny,
What are root, leaf, fruit and flower days? I’m confused by all these biodynamic winemaking terms that get thrown around.
—Will, New York, NY
Dear Will,
You’re correct that these terms are from the practice of biodynamics, a way of farming influenced by the lunar calendar that sees a vineyard as an expansive ecosystem, beyond just grapevines. Biodynamic practices are part of a larger movement toward sustainability among winemakers (and wine consumers, too). This way of farming is based on the ideas of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, and while it shares a lot in common with organic approaches—especially in its avoidance of synthetic chemicals and pesticides—it goes several steps further.
In biodynamics, days are categorized as fruit, root, leaf and flower days. Fruit days occur when the moon rises in the “fire” constellations (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius) and are thought to be good for both harvesting grapes and drinking wine. On flower days, the moon rises in the “air” constellations (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius), and aromatic white wines are thought to show particularly well. Flower days are also said to be good for pruning or trimming vines.
Leaf days (the “water” constellations: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces) are thought to be the best days for watering. Root days (the “earth” constellations: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn) are thought to be the worst days for tasting wine, but good days for plowing or doing other things in the vineyard to aid root systems.
Because everyone’s taste perceptions are different, on different days and even different times of day, there’s no way to say for sure if tasting wine on fruit or root days makes any difference. The weather, your surroundings, food pairings, your mood and so much more can influence your perception of wine. That said, if you want to see how different days affect your own tasting experience, you can find biodynamic calendars online, as well as apps that track this sort of thing.
I approve this message, and I’m a Pisces with Cancer rising.
—Dr. Vinny
