Natural wines, what passion!

In the vast world of winemaking, where tradition and technology meld to create an endless array of wines, natural wines emerge as an ancient art revisited to delight modern palates. These wines, often shrouded in an aura of mystery and allure, signify a return to the roots of winemaking, accentuating the importance of nature itself.

But what makes a wine “natural”? The definition is intricate and ever-evolving, but in essence, a natural wine results from a minimal and ecological approach to grape cultivation and vinification. The primary goal is to preserve the authenticity of the grapes and the land, with as little human interference as possible. These wines are frequently crafted without the use of chemical pesticides or additives, and sometimes they originate from vineyards cultivated using biodynamic or organic methods.

As the Sette Aje producers tell us, a sustainable approach to cultivation, first and foremost, doesn’t harm the environment. Producing natural wines helps safeguard the inherent resilience of the grapevine, minimizing the need for external assistance. People harvest the fruits of the earth, and in this way, the wines produced reflect the natural goodness of the grapevine. For them, this is a natural approach, a way to define a type of viticulture that follows the plant’s lead.

The characteristics of natural wines often result from their artisanal production and non-invasive techniques. These wines can vary significantly but share some common traits. Their color can be more vibrant and less filtered than conventional wines, while the aroma can burst with fresh fruit, flowers, and spices. On the palate, natural wines tend to offer an intriguing complexity, with lively acidity and soft tannins. These features are often credited to vineyard practices, minimal use of sulphur, and the use of native yeasts during fermentation.

 “DON’T CRITICIZE WHAT YOU CAN’T UNDERSTAND”

Some say they stink, they’re murky, and the taste is too sour, and so on! Lately, natural wines have been gaining popularity among connoisseurs, and this market sector is experiencing significant growth. However, this popularity comes with a series of misconceptions, such as the idea that natural wines are inherently flawed and unpleasant to the palate. As usual, these are sweeping and unfounded claims.

Natural wines can offer a wide range of unique aromas and flavors that reflect the terroir from which they originate. Many sommeliers and enthusiasts appreciate natural wines for their authenticity, complexity, and ability to express grape variety and place of production in a pure way. It’s not merely being natural that makes them good; that’s a given. Certainly, excellent bottles can be found among these wines, just as there are conventional wines with…debatable sensory qualities. Quality is the result of hard work, commitment, and a dash of luck for a good vintage. Let’s taste and choose without prejudice.

One winery that has made this choice the cornerstone of its viticulture is Paluffo. They produce bottles that embody this bold choice. They explain how challenging it is to work with ever-changing grapes. Yes, because each vintage differs from the previous one. The climate is unique, the land provides different nutrients, and the very few interventions that can be made cannot (and should not!) standardize the production to that of past vintages. The result? Incredible richness and uniqueness. Each bottle truly represents that vintage and carries the taste of everything the grapes have experienced. Paluffo has chosen this method because they believe strongly in environmental conservation in every aspect of their work. It’s not a commercial choice or a marketing gimmick; it’s a way of life.

The community of natural wine producers constantly strives to refine the production process, ensuring the quality of their products. Labeling all natural wines as flawed is a mistake that overlooks the diversity and beauty that this category of wines can offer. Moreover, let’s not forget that some of the finest and most sought-after products in the world are certainly not fragrant. Who among us has turned up their nose at a delectable white truffle?

A SPECIFIC PROTOCOL

While there are organizations and consortia attempting to establish guidelines for natural wines, there isn’t a universally accepted set of regulations. This lack of standardization can make it challenging for consumers to definitively identify natural wines. However, it’s precisely this absence of strict rules that allows producers to experiment and innovate, creating a wide range of styles and interpretations.

Discovering these wine artists who, following the fruits of the earth, craft unique bottles and wines that tell the tale of the terroir will help us take a closer look at how love for nature and respect for tradition can give birth to extraordinary wines.

THE APP FOR NATURAL WINE ENTHUSIASTS

Have you ever wished to discover the nearest natural wine producer or find a place in the city to savor a delightful natural wine? The answer to these questions is Raisin, an application that serves as a blend of a wine guide and a vibrant social network for natural wine enthusiasts. Raisin is more than just a tool for finding natural wines; it’s a community that celebrates and promotes the passion for natural wine across the globe.

Born from the passion of Jean-Hugues Bretin, a natural wine enthusiast, it owes its name, “Raisin”, to the principal ingredient of natural wine: grapes. It’s a celebration of the very essence of these wines. Bretin fell in love with natural wines after tasting a bottle of P’tit Blanc du Tue-boeuf by Thierry Puzelat in 2010. That moment sparked a passion, which later led to a blog and, in 2016, Raisin – L’appli du vin naturel. In addition to the core team of six people, Raisin now relies on the assistance of numerous volunteers in Italy, France, the United States, Switzerland, and Austria. These contributors are crucial for identifying and sharing information about small wineries and wine shops from all around the world.

How does it work? 

Each user has a personal profile and can share photos, write reviews, and participate in discussions. In addition to the classic “like” you can also raise a glass to show that you’ve already enjoyed a particular wine. One particularly interesting aspect of the app’s extensive database? The ability to scan a bottle label and instantly discover whether it’s a natural, organic, biodynamic, or non-natural wine.

So, what are we waiting for now? We’re eager to hear from you about which natural wine will accompany your next tasting.