Overview
- Natural wine is made with minimal intervention, allowing it to reflect its origins authentically.
- Using organic or biodynamic farming, native yeast fermentation, and minimal processing, these wines offer bold, complex flavors.
- Ralph’s Wine & Spirits features a curated selection of natural wines, each showcasing its terroir. Experience wine in its purest form.
Wine has been enjoyed for centuries, with new techniques and trends shaping the way we experience this classic drink. One movement that has gained attention in recent years is natural wine.
But what exactly is natural wine? Simply put, it’s made using traditional methods with little to no intervention. The goal is to let the wine reflect its origins as naturally as possible. Because of this, natural wine is often described as a “living wine,” preserving the natural elements that make each bottle unique.
Natural wines offer bolder, more complex flavors than conventional wines, with each bottle varying yearly due to minimal processing. This article delves into what makes natural wine unique, how it's made, and must-try bottles for your first tasting.
What are The Key Aspects of Natural Wine?
Natural wine production emphasizes a holistic approach, reflecting the soil, climate, and winemaker’s touch. Known for their vibrancy and depth, these wines offer a unique experience.
Recognizing key aspects helps identify wines that truly follow this philosophy.
Grape Growing Methods
Sustainably farmed grapes form the foundation of minimal intervention winemaking, often grown using organic or biodynamic methods without synthetic chemicals. This approach preserves the fruit’s natural connection to the soil and climate.
Hand-harvesting ensures only the best grapes are selected, enhancing the wine’s terroir. Winemakers also choose varieties best suited to the local environment for optimal expression.
Fermentation
Fermentation is another key aspect of natural wine, highlighting the "natural" process of winemaking. Winemakers allow fermentation to occur spontaneously using native yeasts, which are naturally present on grape skins and in the environment. This method reduces intervention and allows the wine to express its terroir more authentically.
Unlike conventional methods, natural winemakers avoid additives like sugar during fermentation. Red wines undergo fermentation with skins, giving them their color, while white wines may undergo skin fermentation to produce orange wines with more tannins.
Process and Additives
Minimal intervention defines the approach to processing and additives, preserving the wine’s authenticity. While conventional winemaking uses additives for control and stability, natural winemakers reject these methods, letting the wine develop on its own.
Instead of high-tech filtration, they use simpler techniques like cloth filtration to maintain character. The goal is to let the wine express its true nature, relying only on grapes and time.
Check Out Ralph’s Wine & Spirits’ Collection of Natural Wines!
Understanding what is natural wine isn’t just about its philosophy and processes—it’s also about the experience. At Ralph’s Wine & Spirits, we offer a curated selection of exceptional natural wines, each one telling its own story:
Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier
This wine embraces wild fermentation and minimal human intervention, resulting in a natural, vegan, and gluten-free blend. The Shiraz and Viognier complement each other beautifully, with the rich fruitiness of Shiraz balanced by the aromatic fragrance of Viognier. Cool fermentation preserves the fresh aromas, and with no oak aging, it offers a pure expression of its terroir.
Susana Balbo Signature Brioso
A true reflection of care and craftsmanship, Susana Balbo Signature Brioso wine is hand-harvested and double-selected to ensure only the best grapes make it into the bottle. Wild yeasts kickstart fermentation at a controlled temperature, followed by extended maceration and aging in French oak barrels to bring out its fullest natural character.
Wente Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
From the sustainable vineyards of Wente, this wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Durif, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Tempranillo. Hand-harvested and fermented in stainless steel at controlled temperatures, it’s then aged for 16 months in French and American oak barrels. The result? A wine that showcases the pure expression of its California origins, with a perfect balance of fruit and structure.
D'Arenberg The Stump Jump Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Fresh and vibrant, this Sauvignon Blanc offers tropical notes of melon and passion fruit, balanced with crisp citrus and cut grass. Made from grapes grown in biodynamic and organic-certified vineyards, this wine reflects D'Arenberg’s commitment to sustainability. With basket pressing and lees aging, the process remains true to natural winemaking, bringing a refreshing and genuine experience to every glass.
Key Takeaway
Despite its long history, wine still has the power to surprise us. With natural wines, you're not just revisiting tried-and-tested methods—you’re also stepping into wine's next big adventure.
Explore the unique flavors of natural wine at Ralph’s Wine & Spirits. Browse our selection and experience wine in its purest form. Shop now!
