What is a Natural Wine?

Wine lovers around the world are increasingly attracted to natural wines. But what makes these wines so special? Why do they generate so much interest?

Definition of Natural Wine

A natural wine is produced with minimal human intervention, both in the vineyard and in the winery. This means that winemakers who produce natural wine strive to work in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner, avoiding synthetic chemicals like pesticides and herbicides.

In the cellar, the winemaking process is also simplified to avoid adding products oenological additives such as commercial yeasts, sulfites or other additives. The result is a wine that fully expresses the terroir, that is to say the unique combination of soil, climate and local know-how.

The Natural Winemaking Process @DRINKINMODERATION

The Natural Winemaking Process

Natural winemaking is based on a few key principles:

Organic or biodynamic cultivation: Winemakers use sustainable farming practices, often following the principles of organic or biodynamic farming . This means avoiding synthetic chemicals and favoring biodiversity in the vineyard.
Manual harvesting : Grapes are often harvested by hand to avoid damaging the bunches and ensure careful selection of fruit at optimal ripeness.
Spontaneous fermentation : Instead of adding commercial yeasts, natural wine ferments using indigenous yeasts present on the grapes and in the cellar. This spontaneous fermentation can produce wines with unique aromatic profiles.
Minimal intervention: During winemaking, intervention is limited. This means little or no filtering, no fining, and very limited or no use of sulfites.

Natural Wine and Sweet Wine

The term " sweet wine " refers to a wine that contains a significant amount of residual sugar , which gives it a sweet flavor. Sweet wines can be produced in a variety of ways, such as stopping fermentation to retain the grapes' natural sugar or adding concentrated must.

Although the natural wines Although they are often dry, there are natural versions of sweet wines, where the residual sugar comes naturally from the grapes, without the addition of sugar or additives. Natural sweet wines, for example, are fortified sweet wines produced in certain wine-growing regions of France. However, not all natural sweet wines are necessarily natural wines in the strict sense of the term, but some producers adopt natural practices in their production.

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What is Vin Doux Naturel?

THE natural sweet wine (VDN) is a type of fortified sweet wine, primarily produced in France in regions such as Roussillon and the Rhône Valley. VDNs are made by adding wine alcohol to the fermenting must, which stops fermentation and retains the grapes' natural sugar, hence their sweetness.

The Characteristics of Naturally Sweet Wine

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Natural softness: Naturally sweet wine retains the residual sugar of the grape, providing a sweetness that can vary from moderate to very intense.

Rich and complex aromas: Due to the winemaking process, VDNs can exhibit aromas of ripe fruit, honey, spices and sometimes oxidative notes of nuts or caramel.

Storage potential: Thanks to the presence of alcohol added and sugar, natural sweet wines often have excellent aging potential, developing more complex aromas and flavors over time.

Examples of naturally sweet wines include: Muscat de Rivesaltes , the Banyuls , and the Maury . These wines are often paired with desserts, but can also be enjoyed alone or with cheeses.

Learn more about the characteristics of natural sweet wine .

The Challenges of Natural Wine

Despite their growing popularity, natural wines are not without their challenges. Their production requires specific expertise and can be riskier due to the lack of stabilizing agents. Natural wines are also more sensitive to vintage variations and may have perceived defects, such as reduced or volatile aromas, that may not appeal to all consumers.

THE natural wine represents a fascinating and authentic approach to viticulture and winemaking, emphasizing respect for nature and the expression of terroir. As the market continues to grow, natural wine is attracting increasing interest among environmentally conscious consumers seeking new taste experiences. By exploring the nuances between sweet wine, natural wine and the With natural sweet wine , wine lovers can discover a wide range of flavors and stories that enrich their understanding and appreciation of this fascinating world. Whether you are a novice or a connoisseur, the world of natural wine offers a sensory adventure just waiting to be explored.