"Slow Wines" Movement

In the last two decades wine production methods have focused on speeding up wine making to sell wines quicker. In order to speed up the wine process, chemicals, fertilizers, and additives are used for grapes and wine production. In other words, the wine production has become very commercial which, in my opinion could result in less flavorful and characteristic wines.  
 

Luckily for us, there are still wine growers who take the time to produce quality grapes to therefore produce “Slow Wines”.  These wines are quality wines produced without additives, without fancy mechanical treatment, and are allowed to age naturally, as we should expect.

In order to be categorized as a “Slow Wine”, the wine must be produced  in a traditional, ecological method using grapes from organic or biodynamic agriculture.  Slow wine growers prefer to pick the grapes by hand and select the grapes at their moment of ripeness for best flavor.

 Slow Wines are categorized/rated three ways:

1)    The Snail, to signal a cellar that has distinguished itself through its interpretation of sensorial, territorial, environmental and personal values in harmony with the Slow Food philosophy

2)    The Bottle, allocated to cellars that show a consistent high quality throughout the range of wines presented for tastings

3)    The Coin, an indicator of good value for money. And for the wines: Slow Wines, which, besides excellent sensory characteristics, manage to distil the character of their terroir, history and environment in the glass; Great Wines, which possess the absolute sensory quality; Everyday Wines, bottles at the standard price level that present excellent value for money.

Here are some “Slow Wine” producers who were recognized/honored in  2011:

Slow Vino
Kante Malvasia Selezione 2003
La Castellada Bianco della Castellada 2006

Grande Vino
J. Hofstätter Gewürztraminer Kolbenhof 2009
Massolino-Vigna Rionda Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva 2004
Serafini & Vidotto Rosso dell'Abazia 2006

Vino Quotidiano
J. Hofstätter Pinot Bianco 2009
Velenosi Rosso Piceno Superiore Il Brecciarolo 2007

Support your Slow Wine makers, read more about Slow Wines