🍇 Introduction: What Is Natural Wine?
Natural wine has become one of the most exciting—and controversial—trends in the wine world. Often described as “nothing added, nothing taken away,” natural wine is made with minimal intervention, both in the vineyard and in the cellar.
This means:
- Organic or biodynamic farming
- No additives or lab-grown yeasts
- Little to no sulphites
- Unfiltered, unrefined wine
To some, it’s a raw expression of the grape and the land. To others, it’s an unpredictable bottle full of funk. But love it or hate it, one thing is clear: natural wine is rising fast in both Europe and North America.
🍷 The Roots of the Natural Wine Movement
While it may seem like a modern trend, the natural wine movement actually began in France in the 1970s. Winemakers in the Beaujolais region like Jules Chauvet and Marcel Lapierre were pioneers, experimenting with minimal intervention methods long before “natural wine” was a term.
They were reacting to the rise of industrial agriculture and chemical-heavy winemaking in the post-WWII era. Instead, they turned to:
- Indigenous yeast fermentation
- Minimal (or no) sulfur dioxide
- Organic/biodynamic farming principles
The movement slowly spread to other parts of Europe and eventually North America, evolving into a cultural phenomenon that blends wine with art, activism, and identity.
🇫🇷 Europe: Where Tradition Meets Rebellion
Europe remains the spiritual home of natural wine, with France, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Georgia leading the way.
🔥 France
- Regions: Loire Valley, Jura, Beaujolais, Alsace
- Why It’s Big: Deep-rooted winemaking traditions + a strong community of natural vignerons
- What to Try: Pineau d’Aunis, pét-nat from the Loire, Poulsard from Jura
France’s natural winemakers often reject the AOC system and label their wines as “Vin de France” to escape bureaucracy.
🍷 Italy
- Regions: Sicily, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Tuscany
- What Stands Out: Skin-contact wines like orange wines made from Trebbiano and Malvasia
- Notable Producers: Frank Cornelissen (Etna), La Stoppa, Radikon
Natural winemaking fits Italy’s small-scale, hands-on approach to agriculture and cuisine. These wines pair seamlessly with local food.
🍇 Georgia (Yes, the Country)
- Claim to Fame: The birthplace of wine (8,000+ years ago)
- Unique Style: Qvevri-fermented wines—fermented in buried clay vessels
- Taste Profile: Textural, tannic whites and rustic reds
Natural wine isn’t a trend in Georgia—it’s a way of life.
🇺🇸🇨🇦 North America: Innovation Meets Ideology
Across the Atlantic, the natural wine wave is surging, especially in the United States and Canada. Though it arrived decades after Europe, North America is making up for lost time.
🌿 United States
🔹 California
- Hotspots: Sonoma, Mendocino, Santa Barbara
- Notable Names: Donkey & Goat, Martha Stoumen, Jolie-Laide, Broc Cellars
- Style: Funky reds, chillable glou-glou, pét-nats, and carbonic wines
California natural winemakers are rethinking the state’s industrial image, promoting transparency and soil health.
🔹 Oregon
- Focused on cool-climate varietals like Pinot Noir and Gamay
- Winemakers emphasize biodynamic principles and sustainability
🔹 New York
- The Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley are emerging hubs
- Think acid-driven Rieslings, wild-fermented ciders, and field blends
🍁 Canada
- British Columbia (Okanagan Valley) and Ontario (Niagara) are leading
- Natural wine bars like Paradise Grapevine (Toronto) and Comme Ci, Comme Ça (Montreal) are boosting awareness
- Winemakers like Benjamin Bridge and Trail Estate Winery are pushing the category forward
🔍 What’s Driving the Natural Wine Boom?
1. 🌱 Sustainability & Transparency
Consumers want to know what’s in their wine—and how it’s made. Natural wine fits into a wider movement toward:
- Organic produce
- Clean beauty
- Ethical sourcing
2. 🍷 Authenticity & Flavour
Natural wine often tastes unlike anything in the supermarket aisle. Expect:
- Tangy acidity
- Earthy or funky notes
- Unexpected textures (especially in skin-contact whites)
These wild, living wines offer a refreshing contrast to polished, commercial bottles.
3. 📱 Aesthetic Appeal & Culture
Instagram-friendly labels, bright colours, and natural wine bars have created a subculture. Think:
- Graphic labels by artists
- Bars with vinyl records, natural wine on tap, and zero snobbery
- Events like RAW WINE and Orange Wine Festivals
🍽️ Where to Drink Natural Wine Right Now
Top Natural Wine Bars in Europe
- Le Verre Volé (Paris, France)
- Bar Brutal (Barcelona, Spain)
- Enoteca Naturale (Milan, Italy)
- Kleines Kameel (Vienna, Austria)
- Wine Library (Tbilisi, Georgia)
Top Natural Wine Bars in North America
- June (Brooklyn, NY)
- Ordinaire (Oakland, CA)
- The Four Horsemen (Brooklyn, NY)
- Bar Mordecai (Toronto, ON)
- Good Clean Fun (Los Angeles, CA)
🧪 Natural Vs Organic Vs Biodynamic: What’s the Difference?
|
Term |
Farming |
Additives Allowed? |
Certification? |
|
Natural |
Organic or biodynamic |
None or minimal |
No official certification |
|
Organic |
No synthetic chemicals |
Sulphites often allowed |
Certified by government bodies (EU, USDA) |
|
Biodynamic |
Follows Rudolf Steiner’s holistic system |
Similar to organic |
Demeter-certified |
Note: All natural wines are usually organic, but not all organic wines are natural.
🤔 Is Natural Wine for Everyone?
Natural wine can be polarizing. The unpredictability and funk may not appeal to those who prefer classic, polished flavours. However, more producers are refining their techniques, creating cleaner, more balanced expressions.
If you’re new, start with:
- Pét-Nat (pétillant naturel) – lightly fizzy, fun, and fruity
- Chillable reds – light, juicy, and low tannin
- Skin-contact whites – textured but approachable
🔮 What’s Next for Natural Wine?
- Retail Expansion: More shelf space in major retailers like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Marks & Spencer
- Hybrid Beverages: Fermentation mashups (e.g., natural wine meets kombucha)
- Regulation & Standards: Growing interest in creating natural wine certifications
- Climate Adaptation: Natural winemakers are at the forefront of adapting to climate change, using drought-resistant grapes and permaculture
📝 Final Sip
Natural wine is no longer a fringe movement. It’s a global cultural shift—a response to industrial agriculture, changing palates, and a desire for authenticity. Whether you’re sipping a cloudy pét-nat in a Paris café or a chillable red from Sonoma, these wines offer more than just taste—they tell a story of soil, soul, and sustainability.
So raise your glass to the wild side of winemaking—uncorked, unfiltered, and undeniably alive.
