Natural Wines; the process, the popularity and their future.
Natural wines have been steadily gaining traction in the wine world, captivating drinkers with their authenticity, vibrancy, and a touch of the unexpected. As someone immersed in wine conversations, I find that the buzz around natural wines is more than just a passing trend—it's a shift in how we experience and appreciate what’s in our glass.
What Makes a Wine "Natural"?
At its core, natural wine is made with minimal intervention. The grapes are typically grown organically or biodynamically, without synthetic pesticides or herbicides. In the cellar, winemakers eschew additives, allowing native yeasts to drive fermentation. There’s little to no filtration, and sulfur (a common preservative in winemaking) is either used sparingly or not at all. This philosophy aims to let the grapes and terroir speak for themselves, resulting in wines that often exhibit a raw, lively character.
Why the Sudden Popularity?
The rise of natural wines can be traced to a broader cultural movement toward sustainability, authenticity, and artisanal products. Drinkers, especially younger generations, are increasingly curious about where their food and beverages come from. Natural wines, with their transparency and often funky, unpredictable profiles, offer an exciting alternative to the polished uniformity of many conventional wines.
Restaurants and wine bars with curated natural wine lists have popped up in cities across the globe, fostering a community that appreciates the stories behind each bottle. Social media, too, has played a significant role—there’s something inherently photogenic about a hazy, skin-contact wine in a stemless glass, captioned with tasting notes that read more like poetry than science.
The Allure of Orange Wines
A fascinating subset of the natural wine movement is orange wine, which has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity over the past decade. For the uninitiated, orange wine is made from white grapes that undergo extended skin contact during fermentation—essentially treating them like red wines. This process imparts not only a stunning amber hue but also a complex array of flavors and textures: think dried apricots, honey, tea, and a pleasing tannic grip.
What I love most about orange wines is their versatility. They bridge the gap between white and red wines, making them perfect for adventurous food pairings—from rich cheeses to spiced Middle Eastern dishes. Countries like Georgia, Slovenia, and Italy have long-standing traditions of producing skin-contact wines, and it’s thrilling to see modern winemakers around the world embracing and innovating within this style.
The Future of Natural Wines
Looking ahead, I believe the natural wine movement will continue to grow, but perhaps with a bit more nuance. As with any trend, there’s the risk of over-commercialization or losing sight of the craftsmanship that makes these wines special. However, I see a positive future where natural winemaking becomes less of a niche and more of a norm—not defined by cloudy appearances or funky flavors, but by thoughtful farming and honest winemaking.
As I taste my way through the ever-expanding world of natural wines, I’m constantly reminded that wine is, at its best, a reflection of place, time, and people. And few wines tell that story more compellingly than a well-made bottle of orange wine.
Cheers!