The Good Side of Organic Tuscan Wine
The organic tuscan wine industry has a long history, dating back to the Etruscans who first started producing wine in this region. With the arrival of Roman civilization, vineyards were planted, and grape production became an important part of life for many people.
Viticulture was so well established that it is often considered as one of the reasons why Rome conquered Greece.
Climate in Tuscany:
The climate in Tuscany is dry, with hot summers and cold winters. There are also rolling hillsides that cover the landscape. The central part of this region has very fertile soil with high levels of limestone, while some areas have soils that contain clay or sandstone.
This combination provides ideal growing conditions for wine grapes because they thrive on well-drained land with good exposure to sunlight without too much shade from trees or other plants.
Grapevines require lots of water but not when ripening during the summer months, so irrigation is done only once before harvest time every year.
Although over 50 different varieties are grown mostly for local consumption, Chianti Classico DOCG & Rosso di Montalcino DOC wines get the most attention.
Good Side of Organic Tuscan Wine:
The benefits of using organic farming practices for wine production are numerous and include better soil quality, biodiversity, water conservation, carbon sequestration & lower greenhouse gas emissions.
This approach also results in wines that retain high levels of natural aromas while reducing chemical residues on the fruit, which often affects taste. Traditional vineyards typically use herbicides to control weeds, but this practice is no longer allowed under EU regulations related to organic agriculture.
To deal with weed problems on their property, many wineries rely on alternative non-chemical approaches such as incorporating cover crops or allowing sheep to graze between rows near vines during certain seasons when there aren’t grapes growing.
Hence, they eat these plants without harming grapevines.