Wine Workshop Case: What IS Natural?!

Paris has put together a case to go alongside this month’s wine workshop! Take it away Paris:

I have been asked so many times recently ‘What is natural wine? How do you define it?’. It is a question I love to receive because there is no one answer – like many things in the wine world – there are usually more questions. I do feel that with various books, blogs and opinion pieces circling out there at the moment, the confusion about what makes a wine natural is VERY justified. 

For me making natural wine is an overall approach that gives time and energy to details. At a minimum a natural winemaker and/or grower should not be using synthetic chemicals, should be reducing their usage of sulphur and copper, should be using ethical labour and always working to grow their knowledge and enhance their intuition. There should be a focus on learning the intricacies of their land, biodiverse ecosystem, seasonal rhythms and fruit with the ambition to promote soil, plant, environmental and business health and longevity. The wines should be living, changeable and evocative representing where they are from and providing a window of history for the drinker. Many natural winemakers adopt organic and biodynamic principles, some are certified, and some are not. Certification in natural winemaking can be a hindrance because anywhere there are rules there are constraints. These rules and constraints are generalised meaning a maker and/or grower is not able to always do what they feel is right for their set-up.  

The best way to learn about natural wine is to drink it! So, I have put together a little case here for you to begin or continue your journey of exploration:

(Sparkling) 2021 Consfuso Bolsena Procanico, Verdelho, Malvasia 

(White) 2020 Billes de Roche AOC Saumur Chenin

(White) 2021 Müller Thurgau Pur Landwein Muller Thurgau

(Rose) 2021 Black Betty Landwein Domina, Regent – could sub this for a wine from Lucy C

(Red) 2022 Bergecrac Rouge AOC Bergecrac Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot, Malbec

(Red) 2021 Pais Franco Bio-Bio - Pais

If you are interested in learning more about natural wine or have any questions you’ve been dying to ask, come along to our Wine Workshop on Saturday 27th April. You can find more information on our events page.