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If you are a wine enthusiast, you’ve heard about natural wine; everyone is talking about it, and it’s because the natural trend has changed the world of wine forever. Natural wine might be trending, but it’s nothing new – that’s how people used to make wine 5000 years ago!
Natural wine, though, is not as easy to explain as one would think. After all, there are no official regulations to determine what natural wine is and what isn’t — instead, we have a convention, one that not every winemaker agrees on! Let’s talk about natural wine and why it is so exciting — there’s no doubt this type of wine has no equal.
What’s Different Between Natural Wine, Organic Wine & Biodynamic Wine?
Natural Wine. Although there isn’t an official definition of natural wine, the wine community suggests it must comply with the following rules:
- It is made by small, independent producers with organically grown grapes that are hand-picked and fermented with a non-interventionist approach.
- The wines are fermented spontaneously with ambient yeast, and they aren’t clarified, fined, filtered or aged in new oak.
- The result is “naked” wine that can sometimes display uncommon flavours and aromas due to the many microorganisms playing a role in such wild fermentations.
- Natural wine is also made with little to no sulphites, a natural stabiliser, antioxidant and preservative common in wine, so the wine evolves faster and sometimes unexpectedly compared to well-preserved or sterile commercial wine.
Organic Wine. The Difference between natural wine and organic wine is that organic wine is regulated in most countries, as all organic foods are. In this case,
- The wine is made with organic grapes.
- Producers can add sulphites to the wine to preserve it, but in limited amounts, generally adding fewer than what’s used in conventional wine.
- Organic wine can also contain certain additives, such as sugar and citric acid, gelatin or albumin, an egg protein used to clarify the wine. In fact, there’s an extensive list of “allowed” additives for organic wine.
And although the winemaking process behind natural wines and organic wines is similar, organic wines are not necessarily bottled unfined or unfiltered. As long as they comply with the laws for organic food, the wines can undergo several procedures that wouldn’t be considered when making natural wine, such as mechanical harvesting and oak ageing.
Biodynamic Wine. To label wine as biodynamic, producers must also get certified by one of several associations that regulate the work in the vineyard and cellar following the rules of biodynamics. By biodynamics, we mean the farming practices suggested by Rudolf Steiner in 1928 in which all activities are aligned to the lunar calendar using natural fertilisers and pesticides, often made with uncommon ingredients, including offal, quartz and flowers. Some biodynamic practices don’t sound very scientific, but biodynamic wines are always interesting, to say the least.
Read more:
What really is Natural Wine? by winefolly.com
What is Natural Wine? by rawwine.com
Why Should You Drink Natural Wine?
Natural wine is an honest expression of the land and the grape; it is untainted by modern technology and the hand of man. In a world where commercial wine is heavily manipulated to achieve the desired results, natural wine is a well-received alternative.
Natural wine is healthier than regular wine
As it contains negligible amounts of sulphites (SO2) (approx. 5 times less than conventional wine) - an antioxidant which many people react negatively too and can cause hives, dizziness etcetera when consumed by them selves; this means natural wineries don’t need worry about allergens ruining your drinking experience! It also contains no additives or artificial ingredients, which is overall better, and not just for wine also our body! Natural wine is also much more exciting than sterile commercial wine — the wine is alive!
Natural wine is vegan friendly
Conventional wines sometimes use animal-derived products like egg whites, gelatine, fish bladders (isinglass), or casein, which is milk-based, to remove sediment from wine during the fining process. Because natural winemakers do not fine their wine, these wines will always be vegan-friendly. This makes natural wines a great choice for vegans who want to enjoy a glass of wine without having to worry about any animal products being used in the production process. So, if you're looking for a vegan-friendly wine, natural wine is definitely the way to go!
Read more: What is natural wine? And is it better for you? by nbcnews.com
What Can We Expect from Natural Wine?
When it comes to natural wine, expect the unexpected. Natural wine generally tastes like regular wine, but it’s more wholesome as it has a richer mouthfeel; it is also more complex on the nose and palate as more microorganisms intervene in its transformation. Besides, by not using additives or artificial ingredients, the wine is more honest, and you can taste it. Natural wine is always interesting to taste and a fantastic conversation topic.
Try natural wine and experience fermented grape juice in its purest form.
Here are three compelling natural wines crafted by respected natural winemakers in Europe, available for purchase on our online store with shipping to Hong Kong and Macau.
1. Vigna del Peste, Terre di Pietra - Vigna del Peste by Terre di Pietra is a fantastic red wine with a well-rounded and satisfying taste. The blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes creates a harmonious balance of fruit, floral, and mineral notes, making it an ideal accompaniment to a variety of foods. The aging process in cement tanks and bottle refinement allows the wine to develop its own unique character, while the absence of stronger grapes like Cabernet gives it a natural and authentic taste. Overall, Vigna del Peste is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality Italian red wine.
2. Neanderthal, Cantina Martinelli - Cantina Martinelli's Neanderthal is a unique and complex orange wine made from a single Garganega Cru macerated in a clay amphora for six months. Combining five vintages with different harvesting stages and maceration techniques, the wine has a pleasant tannin structure and great aging potential. This wine is a reminder that wine can challenge and surprise us.
3. Ironia DOC, Le More Bianche - Ironia is a unique and complex wine that showcases the terroir of San Pietro di Govone. The long ageing process, which includes maceration and fermentation in terracotta and pottery jars, as well as refinement in cement and ceramic egg tanks, results in a textured and floral wine with intense straw-yellow and golden hues. The aroma profile is ripe with notes of fruit and white pulp, as well as a sweet jasmine and honey-like quality. On the palate, Ironia is smooth and enveloping with an exquisite structure and impeccable sapidity. This is a wine that truly embodies the character and flavour of the Arneis grape.
We are THE EARTH WINE - a wine company dedicated to natural wine. Our belief is that great wine shouldn't come at a great cost to our planet. We work tirelessly to source wines from artisanal producers globally who share our values. Our wines are made with no additives and low intervention, meaning the grapes are handled with minimal interference to retain their natural flavors. We're thrilled to introduce the authentic taste of Natural Wine to Hong Kong and share our love of wine with everyone!
