Natural Wine
Ahh natural wine.
Probably the greatest debate in the wine world of the past decade.
But what is it?
It's hard to give a clear answer, partly because there are NO real definitions for natural wine. It's not regulated, it's not defined; in fact some of the winemakers who make natural wines love it this way! So how do you get a clear picture of what (and what doesn't) make a natural wine?
We'll try and keep things simple and say that for us here at GPD, natural wine is made with nothing added and nothing taken away.
Let's break that down. There are many factors that come into play.
Nothing is being added to the wine. So it is simply grapes. What are the things that other winemakers add that natural winemakers don't? On the vineyard - copper and sulphur and other preventative chemicals like weedkillers. In the winery - yeast, acid, tannin, sulphur.
Nothing is being taken away. It is the fermented grape juice in its natural form. What are the things that other winemakers take away that natural winemakers don't? No filtering, no fining, no reverse osmosis.
It's worth noting that not all unfiltered or organic or unusual wines are natural. Just because the wine is hazy or is made from organic grapes, doesn't mean that everything is done naturally. It really needs all the conditions to be met.
FAQ
What does natural wine mean?
In the world of wine, where everything has a rule, natural wine is the odd one out, as it is unregulated and undefined. However it's commonly accepted that natural wine must be made from grapes grown organically, picked by hand, fermented with native yeasts and bottled without filtration and with no (or very little) preservatives.
Why are natural wines more expensive?
As an artisan, hand-made product, natural wines typically cost more. This is essentially down to a preference for doing things by hand as opposed to mechanically, so each step of the winemaking process takes longer, and costs more.
Does natural wine give you a hangover?
Sadly, yes, if you drink enough of it. Any alcoholic beverage, in sufficient quantity, will induce dehydration and the typical effects of a hangover. The lack of preservatives might help a little, but the alcohol will get you.
What is the difference between natural wine and organic wine?
Organic wine can be filtered and can have preservatives added, whereas natural winemakers will choose to avoid both of these.
How do you make natural wine?
The clue is in the name - it is meant to be as simple a process as possible, as natural as possible, with no artificial or mechanical intervention. Do everything by hand and try to avoid manipulation.
About the Author
Banjo Harris Plane is the three-time winner Sommelier of the Year Australia and a certified advanced Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. He first cut his teeth in the wine industry working as a sommelier in Australia's best restaurants, before starting multiple businesses in the space of a few years... these included two restaurants, a wine import business and co-founding Good Pair Days!