A trending (or rather, re-trending) movement in the wine world, natural wine is something that everyone should start getting into. For one, natural wine is sustainable and it serves to be a relatively healthier tippling option given the absence of foreign synthetics, chemicals and additives. Because of the nature of its fermentation process, natural wines tend to taste a lot different. It typically boasts funkier and more interesting profiles as opposed to conventional varietals.
Natural wine is hardly a new fad, to be honest. In fact, it’s been adopted for centuries by small, independent wine producers and we are only now seeing a resurgence in the wine scene because of people’s inclination to adopt a cleaner approach to eating and drinking.
Albeit intimidating, natural wines are nothing more than wine made from organic grapes and allowed to undergo ‘spontaneous fermentation’ with very little help other than the hands of Mother Nature—hence the term, ‘natural’. If you’re clueless on the topic, here is our guide to understanding the basics of natural wine from what it is, what it tastes like to why you should seriously start considering it.
What Is Natural Wine?
Natural wine is referred to as many things—‘raw wine’, ‘naked wine’, ‘organic wine’ and sometimes even ‘low-intervention’ wine. Despite its many monikers, it is what is. In its purest form, natural wine is a wine that is made from unadulterated fermented grape juice and nothing else.
What Makes Natural Wine Natural?
In general, natural wine is wine where nothing is added and nothing is taken away. That means no additives such as sugars, chemicals, acidification, tannins and so on—little to no ‘intervention’, as they call it.
The wine itself is made using organic grapes and will not undergo any refinement or filtration. In layman terms, it just means that whatever happens in the bottle stays in the bottle and that, in effect, creates a broader range of flavour profiles and characteristics.
Natural wine is natural because its flavour and depth are largely dependant on its own ability to ferment and develop naturally without the help of any foreign additives or processing aids, similar to kimchi and kombucha.
Flavours & Characteristics To Expect
The flavour profile of natural wines tends to be funkier and yeastier with brighter, more acidic notes. The spectrum is pretty broad with some even having cider-like profiles. Of course, there will also be certain varietals that bear fruitier and cleaner characteristics as well. As far as food pairing goes, natural wines tend to pair better with fattier foods due to its higher acidic content.
Does Drinking Natural Wine Prevent Hangovers?
We’d say this topic is debatable. It really depends on how much you drink. But that said, because there are no added chemicals or foreign synthetics present, what you have is a super-clean, pure wine made solely using grapes. This should give you a slightly easier time the following morning.
Natural Wine Appreciation Workshop By Drunken Farmer
If you’re keen to know more about natural, organic and biodynamic wines, there’s a wine workshop you can attend. Hosted by wine expert, Eduardo Bayo, who’s now the face of the nomadic pop-up natural wine bar, Drunken Farmer.
Entitled, “Demystifying the Wonderful World of Natural Wines”, you’ll get to try six different styles of organic wine, learn about the techniques involved, what constitutes a natural wine and more. Attendees will also be treated to refreshments provided by Open Farm Community. Perhaps the best takeaway of the entire event—a bottle to take home!
Tickets cost S$85.60 per participant.
When: 10 December 2019, 7 PM – 9 PM
Where: 130E Minden Rd, Singapore 248819, Singapore
More information:
Demystifying the Wonderful World of Natural Wines Workshop
All photos are credited to Drunken Farmer.
Read our educational guides to other types of alcohol.
No Comments