MNN - Mother Nature Network

With all the vintners on the biodynamic scene these days, how do you choose the best bottle? We turned to sustainable grape expert Scott Pactor, who stocks roughly 250 varieties of organic and biodynamic wines at his natural wine store in New York City, Appellation. Here are some of his favorites: 

 

Domaine Leflaive, Puligny-Montrachet Folatieres, France, 2001. 

From one of the world’s great producers of white burgundy, with hints of lemon and vanilla. Terrific nuttiness, minerality and highlights of oak. Domaine Leflaive became completely biodynamic in 1997 under the direction of Anne-Claude Leflaive. $150.

 

Bright and ruby-colored; fruity with flavors of plums, currants and sweet earth. A firm structure, soft and round on the palate with a long finish. Pairs well with roast lamb or pork. $45.

 

A gem with a bouquet of almonds and field flowers. Two years of aging give it depth, making it perfect as an aperitif or paired with fish or risotto. $25.

 

A deep, vibrant wine whose crisp acidity and versatility has made it an up-and-coming favorite. A light- to medium-bodied wine produced on vineyards alive with birds, insects and animals. Great with seafood, pasta or alone. $14.

 

Dark, fruity, spicy, and rich with tannins, this Chilean wine comes from a grape originally found in Bordeaux, where it was nearly annihilated by phylloxera, a tiny insect related to aphids. Since then, the grape has thrived in Chile’s lush Central Valley, bordered by the Andes and mountain streams. $11.

 

Story by Carol Huang. This article originally appeared in Plenty in October 2006. The story was added to MNN.com in June 2009.

 

Copyright Environ Press 2006