An Introduction to Natural Wine: What It Is and How to Find It

Wine has been around for over 6000 years and has become a staple in many cultures. However, in recent years, natural wine has been garnering interest worldwide. This type of wine has gained a reputation for being more eco-friendly, and more authentic than conventional wine. This article will discuss natural wine, how it differs from traditional wine, and how to find it.

What Is Natural Wine?

Natural wine is made from grapes without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. The fermentation process is also different from that of conventional wine. The grapes in natural wine are fermented with naturally occurring yeasts rather than commercially produced ones. This results in a more complex wine with a distinct flavour.

Additionally, natural wine is bottled without or with very low (less than 15g/l) added sulfites, commonly used in conventional wine to preserve the wine and prevent oxidation. Natural wine is bottled with minimal intervention, not filtered or fined. This can result in a cloudy wine with sediment at the bottom of the bottle. If the winemakers do wait long enough so the sediment in the barrel sinks, the wine can also be clear. The unfiltered wine does in both cases, cloudy or not, contain the living yeast. Think of it as sauerkraut or other fermented food, where the presence of the living yeasts is widely perceived to be good for your stomach. 

What Makes It Different from Conventional Wine?

There are several differences between natural wine and conventional wine. One of the most significant differences is how the grapes are grown. As mentioned, natural wine grapes are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. In other words, the grapes grow in a more eco-friendly way, and they are free from harmful chemicals. So, a lot more work and care taking is required in the process of growing the healthy grapes. And also, biodiversity in the vineyard is much, much higher than in conventional wine farming. 

Natural wine can be cloudy or hazy, as it is unfiltered and unfined. This means the wine may have sediment in the bottle, a natural byproduct of the winemaking process. Natural wine can also be more acidic than conventional wine, as the natural wine is generally harvested early to give a fresher low alcohol wine. This can give the wine a fresh or sour taste, which can be new to those who are used to drinking sweeter, fruitier wines.

In addition, the fermentation process is different in natural wine. Natural wine is made from grapes fermented with naturally occurring yeasts rather than commercially produced ones. This results in a more complex wine with a unique flavor profile and more representation of the terroir (the place, soil, year and microclimate a wine is grown). 

How to Find Natural Wine

If you want to try natural wine, there are several ways to find it. One of the best ways to find natural wine is to visit a natural wine bar or restaurant. These establishments specialize in natural wine and will have a wide selection of natural wines to choose from.

You can also find natural wine at specialty wine shops, or special online shops like ours. These shops will have a selection of natural wines to buy from different regions and producers. They will also have knowledgeable staff to help you decide the right wine for your taste preferences. We are always here to help you pick the right wine, just write us a message. The plus for you when ordering wine online with Grape-Times you will also get carbon-neutral shipping and we plant a tree for every order above €50 to compensate for the CO2 used for the packaging and the bottling of the wine.

Apart from wine shops, attending a natural wine fair or festival is another great way to find natural wine. These events bring together natural wine producers from around the world, providing an opportunity to taste a wide variety of natural wines.

Conclusion

Natural wine has gained a reputation for being healthier, more eco-friendly, and more authentic than conventional wine. It is made from grapes grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers and fermented with naturally occurring indigenous yeasts. If you are interested in trying natural wine, visit a natural wine bar or restaurant, a specialty wine (online) shop, or attend a natural wine fair or festival. With so many options, you can find a natural wine that suits your taste preferences.

Buy natural wine at competitive prices from GrapeTimes. We are dedicated to sourcing quality natural wines from all around Europe. We have various styles and tastes so that you can find the perfect bottle for any occasion. Visit our online store to explore our range of natural wines and find the perfect bottle for any occasion.