Natural wine is a fascinating and increasingly popular category in the world of food and wine making. Its popularity, in addition to fashions, derives from the increasingly strong and evident need to defend the land and biodiversity from the devastation wrought by 'traditional' agricultural practices that instead poison the land and people. But that is not all: behind natural wine, in fact, there is above all the intention to obtain a unique and authentic wine, capable of fully expressing the terroir of the grape. This is why natural winemaking emphasises the use of organic farming and minimal intervention in the winemaking process, allowing the true essence of the grape to shine through.
What distinguishes a natural wine
Natural wine is produced using only grapes and (sometimes) a small addition of sulphur dioxide. In natural wine, there is no addition of stabilisers, thickeners, preservatives or artificial flavourings, which in jargon are categorised as 'wine-making aids', which are widely used in conventional wines. There are over 300 oenological adjuvants that can be used in conventional wines, which are used to 'correct' wines and give them a flavour that meets market demands (and/or to make wines made from low-quality grapes drinkable). Instead, the intention behind winemaking 'without additions' is to preserve the natural characteristics of the grape and the territory (or rather, the 'terroir') in which it was grown. A choice that is not always easy for winegrowers, who may find themselves throwing away entire harvests that, for one reason or another, have failed to 'express themselves' adequately in winemaking.
Because of its characteristics, natural wine is mostly produced by small winemakers who protect the earth and biodiversity. In natural winemaking, in fact, the must ferments thanks to the yeasts that grow naturally on the grape skins. Chemical or overly invasive treatments would risk killing the yeasts, thus preventing the natural fermentation of the must.
These characteristics of natural wine make it possible to obtain - when all goes well - wines of very high quality. Of course, everything does not always go perfectly, and in fact it may happen to find natural wines that have some defects. Clearly, if the defects are exaggerated, the wine is (usually) not even bottled, but when they are slight, they can also become merits. Here, however, we enter more into a discourse of taste and philosophy: there are those who prefer the 'security' (or the price) of a conventional wine, (apparently) without defects and always the same, and those who instead, like me, also appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of natural processes, with its merits and, sometimes, its small defects.
Characteristics and merits of natural wine:
- Environmental health: since natural wine requires organic farming, and thus avoids the use of harmful chemicals, producing natural wine promotes biodiversity and protects the local environment.
- Soil regeneration: organic practices promote soil health and regeneration, which is essential for growing high quality grapes with rich, complex flavours.
- Authenticity: the wine reflects the true taste of the grape and the conditions in which it was grown, offering a genuine expression of terroir.
- Unique aromas: in natural wines one can find aromas and flavours that are not typically found in conventional wines, which increases their appeal and attractiveness. Moreover, natural wines are always different: each wine is unique, and there will never be another like it. Each natural wine is therefore always like a new discovery, a land (terroir) that we have never visited before.
- Artisanal production: natural winemaking, due to its characteristics, can hardly be used for large productions. Most natural wine is in fact produced by small winemakers, and therefore in limited quantities. This entails many merits, and sometimes also some flaws, but above all it entails an infinite variability of the end product, in which are enclosed stories, cultures, passions, joys, sufferings and above all flavours that can never be found in conventional wine.
Between acidity and sweetness
In conclusion, natural wine offers a unique and authentic experience to wine lovers. The emphasis on organic farming and minimal intervention results in wine that is both environmentally friendly and rich in flavour, making it a compelling choice for both those who appreciate the art of winemaking and those who make environmentally friendly consumer choices. In fact, the French have understood something about this for a while now. We will continue to talk about natural wine in the next articles.
See you soon.
