The tree of life, the family tree, the camshaft (a private joke for mechanics). In short, as you’ve probably guessed, trees are everywhere and we really need them. They provide shade, fruit, leaves, and much more. Let’s take a quick look at just how important trees are to the planet.
According to Larousse, an ecosystem is “a system formed by an environment (biotope) and all the species (biocenosis) that live, feed, and reproduce there.”
The main thing to remember is that this system works as a cycle and functions in harmony. The earth gives its inhabitants what they need, and in return, they allow it to regenerate. The food chain is naturally designed so that species regulate one another. When animals are moved to a natural environment that is not their own, the food chain is disrupted, the balance is not maintained, and some species may disappear while others grow far too numerous.
The same principle applies to plants. Your garden may have already been overrun by nettles, mint, or ivy. Naturally, a balance is established, but when it is disrupted, the entire ecosystem is thrown into disarray and may malfunction.
The word companionship, which we use in our society to refer to a system of knowledge transfer and training in a trade, also applies very well to wildlife and plants. We speak of companion plants when they are grown together on the same plot to promote their growth. But be careful, not all combinations are good! As they say, you don’t mix rags and napkins, well, you don’t mix cabbage and tomatoes either.
In organic farming, to ensure that crops thrive and the soil is rich in nutrients for the roots, special attention is paid to cereals, legumes and other plants grown nearby.
Like us, plants have friends and enemies; life is well-ordered, and you cannot be in symbiosis with everyone, and that is perfectly normal. Some plants attract beneficial insects that promote growth, such as pollinators, or repel pests, while others inhibit the growth of their neighbors. Mastering the art of companion planting is a true expertise… that is passed down! Knowing that alfalfa is a fern rich in protein that improves soil quality is a good tip to share.
In biodynamics, farmers pay special attention to nature. Biodiversity is at the heart of the project and farming is done in harmony with the environment. Farmers know the land they work on and the plants they grow. They know the best combinations to create a sustainable ecosystem that is good for both the biotope and the biocenosis. Using these two terms is quite sophisticated, isn’t it?
More seriously, knowing the properties and benefits of animals, plants, and the soils on which the farmer works is a priority for keeping the land healthy. On that note, we have also written articles about dry stone walls and stone piles, one on beneficial insects to protect the vines from pests and one on the role of embankments, ditches, and drainage channels in vineyards if you want to learn more.
Discover in this article how we at Oé are committed to biodiversity
Biodiversity and the vine
When enjoying a glass of wine, we sometimes forget where it comes from and how it was grown. Yes, before becoming a smooth drink, wine is a grape, and to produce grapes, the vines develop throughout the year.
Every year, the vine is a bit like a child starting school. From one year to the next, it matures, weather conditions change, and its environment evolves. In nature, things change and evolve. For a child to do well at school, several things are essential: a good teacher, pleasant and supportive classmates, a suitable workspace, and special attention paid to their needs. If someone told you that it was the same for the vine, would you believe us?
A good winemaker, ideal companion planting, a well-maintained vineyard and care tailored to the cultivated grape varieties. That is the key to success for a healthy vine. To achieve this, it takes a lot of hard work, knowledge, and passion.
In organic viticulture, pesticides and chemical phytosanitary products are avoided for the greatest benefit of the earth and the surrounding living species, which are not very fond of these suffocating products. To pamper the soil and take care of the hectares of vines, winemakers favor natural fertilizers, such as horned manure and plant mixtures. Yes, the vine also has the right to its infusion to sleep peacefully.
To make good organic, natural, and biodynamic wines, companion planting in viticulture is essential. Wine estates also use the technique of inter-row cover cropping instead of weeding the vine rows. If you want to learn more about the technical details, we tell you more in this article.
At Franck and Véronique’s, winemakers for our good red Bordeaux, coexistence with nature is complete, and it is even the sheep that take care of the shearing. The vines have friends to talk to!
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Companion trees, a natural filter
When it is hot, the tree is our best friend. Lying in the grass for a nap, feeling as though you are one with the earth, and enjoying the coolness that shade brings is one of life’s little pleasures, isn’t it?
The tree has more than one trick up its sleeve, and while the joy provided by a bit of shade under its leaves is very real, it also acts as an air filter for the greatest pleasure of our lungs. Do you remember your middle school science classes on photosynthesis? Simply put, plants capture the sun’s energy, carbon dioxide (also known as CO2) and the organic compounds present in the soil to feed themselves. In return, they provide us with oxygen (also known as O2). If you are not familiar with all this, know that CO2 is an important greenhouse gas, while O2 is a perfect gas for our breathing.
It is only logical that we define the Amazon as the “lung of the earth.” The Amazon rainforest is 6,700,000 km² of life. In this forest, which is one of the three largest virgin forests in the world, animals and plants live in abundance. Animals prefer the beauty of the Amazon landscapes rather than the view from a zoo cage.
The WWF reports to us that in this region of South America, you can find:
40,000 plant species3,000 species of freshwater fish 370 species of reptiles550 million hectares of forests
In recent years, global warming has given us overheated summers and caused fatal damage to forests all over the world. You have probably been struck by the fires in Australia… The images speak for themselves, the walls of flame sound the alarm. When humans also get involved and deforest en masse, particularly in the Amazon, for mining, agricultural, and industrial operations, the planet suffocates.
At Oé, we therefore decided to make cork stoppers from FSC forests that are environmentally friendly. We invite you to read this article to learn more about the subject.
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