What Is Natural Wine?
Natural wine is an approach, not a flavour.
There is no single worldwide legal definition of natural wine.
In general, it refers to wine made from organically or biodynamically farmed grapes, fermented with naturally occurring yeasts and produced with fewer additions and processing in the cellar.
That doesn't mean every natural wine tastes cloudy, sour or funky.
Some are bright and clean. Some are juicy and fruity. Others have more texture, tannin or unusual flavours.
Natural, organic and biodynamic are not the same thing.
Organic
Organic primarily refers to regulated farming and winemaking standards.
Biodynamic
Biodynamic follows an additional farming philosophy and, where certified, its own standards.
Natural wine
Natural wine generally describes a broader low-intervention approach.
Certification and exact practices vary between growers.
What about sulphites?
Sulphites can occur naturally during fermentation.
Some producers add none. Others use a small amount to protect the wine.
We only state “no added sulphites” when it is confirmed for that particular wine.
Why are some bottles cloudy?
A wine may look cloudy when it has not been fully filtered or fined, or because yeast or sediment remains in the bottle.
Cloudy does not automatically mean funky, heavy or better.
And clear wine can still be naturally made.
The easiest way to start?
Forget the rules for a minute.
Think about what you normally enjoy: fresh or rich, light or structured, still or sparkling.
Then choose from there.