In the world of wine, no term is currently as charged as "natural wine." But what's really behind this trend? Is it more than just a marketing gimmick, or does natural wine actually offer an authentic, more sustainable alternative? In this article, we get to the bottom of the hype surrounding natural wine.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine differs from conventional wine in many ways. It is produced with minimal human intervention in both the vineyard and the cellar. Ideally, natural wines use biodynamically or organically grown grapes. A distinctive feature is natural fermentation with wild yeasts, and often no filtration or clarification takes place. Additionally, little or no sulfur is added, which, however, increases the risk of certain wine defects.
Why the hype about natural wine?
Natural wine has gained significant popularity in recent years. Growing interest in natural foods and clean eating plays a major role. Many people believe that natural wine offers a more authentic taste that better reflects the terroir—the natural conditions in which the grapes grow. Marketing strategy also plays a role; hipster culture and social media platforms have certainly contributed to the spread of the trend.
Taste and aromas: A new experience
Natural wines often offer unusual and more complex flavors that can sometimes be polarizing. Those accustomed to the taste of conventional wines might initially perceive natural wine as "flawed." However, the variety of flavor profiles is enormous and highly dependent on region, grape variety, and vintage.
Criticisms: Is the hype justified?
Of course, there are also critical voices regarding the natural wine hype. First, there is the higher risk of wine defects such as oxidation or the formation of unwanted bacteria due to the lack of preservatives. Second, natural wines are often more expensive because they are produced in smaller batches and require more manual labor. Furthermore, there is a lack of clear standards and regulations that define what exactly is considered "natural wine." Some critics therefore view the trend as a fad or a marketing gimmick.
Health aspects: Less is more?
One of the advantages of natural wine may be its lower content of additives and sulfur. However, the alcohol content is usually comparable to that of conventional wine, so it should be consumed in moderation.
Where can you buy and taste natural wine?
Those who want to experience the natural wine hype for themselves will find a wide selection in specialized wine shops and online stores. Many wine fairs and events also offer the opportunity to taste natural wine. Furthermore, more and more upscale restaurants are offering special natural wine menus.
Natural wine is undoubtedly an exciting and divisive topic. Whether you see it as a revolutionary movement in viticulture or a fleeting trend, it's definitely worth trying a glass and forming your own opinion.