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25 August 2020

The Natural Wine Trend

It seems like every time we walk into the wine shop these days, there’s somebody asking about natural wines. But what is natural wine exactly? While the rules for making natural wine are not regulated by any governing body, there are a few characteristics that distinguish vino naturale from its standard counterparts.

What is Natural Wine?

Natural wine is a pure expression of the grapes and the terroir they were grown in. Natural producers do not manipulate the wine with chemical additives or physical corrective processes. Below are some general characteristics that classify natural wines:

Organic Grapes - Grapes are farmed organically without using pesticides or artificial chemicals.

Hand Harvested - Grapes are harvested and de-stemmed by hand. This ensures that only the highest quality grapes are used and helps keep them from getting damaged.

Native Yeast - The fermentation process begins spontaneously with the same yeasts that are present in the vineyard and cellar instead of laboratory-created yeasts.

Unfiltered - When bottling natural wines, there is no fining or filtration, which can sometimes strip the wine of aroma and flavor.

Little to No Additives - Natural wine is made without additional sugars, yeast, or processing aids. Very little, or no preservatives, including sulfites, are added.

What does Natural Wine Taste Like?

Since natural wines are made with the above techniques, they tend to drink differently than conventionally produced wines. They can be more complex and interesting. Using native yeasts in the fermentation process produces aromas and flavors specific to those bottles. You may find flavors such as; funky, bright, yeasty and savory. 

Due to the lack of filtration, natural wines can also be cloudy, with sediment particles on the bottom of the bottle. And thanks to that, sometimes they can taste more like kombucha or sour beer than a traditional wine!

How Should You Store Natural Wine?

Since natural wines do not contain any additives, they are difficult to preserve for long periods of time and are more fragile than non-natural wines. Below are some guidelines for storing your vino natural:

• Store in a cool dry place -Keep natural wines in acool cellar or fridge, below 80 ºF (26.7 ºC).

• Keep away from light - Place natural wines away from all light sources.

• Seal it - Once opened, store bottles sealed with a cork in your fridge.

• Drink soon -Consume natural wines within two to three days after opening.