In recent years, there’s been a growing trend towards natural and organic wines. More consumers are seeking out wines made with minimal intervention and fewer additives. But what exactly are natural and organic wines, and how do they differ from conventional wines? Let’s explore this fascinating corner of the wine world.
What Makes a Wine “Natural”?
While there’s no official definition, natural wines are generally made from organically or biodynamically grown grapes with minimal chemical additives or technological manipulation. The idea is to let the grapes and terroir shine through, producing a pure expression of the fruit and land.
Natural winemakers use native yeasts for fermentation and avoid fining, filtration, and added sulphites. The resulting wines can be quirky and funky, with cloudy appearances and unconventional flavours. They’re not for everyone, but natural wine enthusiasts embrace their raw authenticity.
Decoding Organic and Biodynamic Certifications
Organic wines are made from grapes grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilisers. In the UK, look for wines with EU organic certification or the Soil Association logo. Some producers go a step further with biodynamic practices, which treat the vineyard as a holistic ecosystem and often involve unconventional techniques like burying cow horns filled with manure (yes, really!).
Notable natural wine producers like Isabelle Legeron MW, founder of the RAW WINE fairs, are passionate advocates for this low-intervention approach. “For me, natural wine is the purest expression of a time, a place, a culture,” Legeron explains. “We need to embrace its diversity and unpredictability.”
Pairing and Serving Natural Wines
When pairing natural wines with food, opt for similarly unfussy, ingredient-driven dishes. A crisp pét-nat (naturally sparkling wine) is lovely as an aperitif with light bites, while an earthy red pairs well with rustic veggie stews or charcuterie.
Most natural wines are best served slightly chilled, around 12-14°C, to highlight their freshness and acidity. And don’t be alarmed if your natural wine looks a bit cloudy or has some sediment—it’s all part of the charm!
Discovering the World of Natural Wines
Ready to dive in? Some great UK-based natural wine retailers include Buon Vino, Littlewine, and Pull the Cork. Look for funky labels, obscure grape varieties, and mentions of “unfined” or “unfiltered” on the bottle.
Or visit a natural wine bar like Terroirs or The Remedy in London to sample a range with expert guidance. Be open-minded, embrace the quirks, and savour the pure flavours of these unconventional wines. You might just discover a new favourite!
[Wordpress Tags: natural wine, organic wine, biodynamic wine, wine trends, low-intervention wine]