What is your definition of a natural wine?
Amidst the growing interest in where and how wine is produced in England, the concept of natural wine has emerged as a topic of debate. The question of whether the label "natural wine" should be based on the work in the vineyard or the process in the winery is a complex one that has been debated by winemakers and consumers for many years.
Those who believe that the label should be based on the work in the vineyard argue that it is the most important factor in determining whether a wine is natural.
They point out that the vineyard is where the grapes are grown, and that the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers can significantly impact the flavour and quality of the wine.
They also argue that organic and biodynamic farming methods are more sustainable and have a positive impact on the environment. Those who believe that the label should be based on the processes in production argue that it is the winemaking techniques that actually determine whether a wine is natural.
They point out that natural winemakers use minimal intervention, allowing the grapes and the natural yeasts to express themselves freely. They also argue that the use of additives, such as sulphites, tannins, cultured yeast and enzymes can manipulate the true character of the wine. In reality, the two factors are intertwined.
The work in the vineyard can have a significant impact on the processes in production, and vice versa. For example, grapes grown in a healthy, organic vineyard are more likely to ferment spontaneously and produce a more characterful wine with more microbiological life rather than killing off character and life with additives.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to label a wine as natural is up to the individual winemaker. However, there is no universally accepted definition of natural wine, and there are many different interpretations of what it means to be natural.
Our ‘Don’t Feed The Ponies’ range is a small batch range of experimental wines made with minimal intervention. All wines are fermented with indigenous vineyard yeasts, no fining or filtration and minimal use of sulphur throughout the process.
It’s also worth noting that the majority of our wines are produced in this way, but the new range does so in a more experimental manner.
Our question is, where do you draw the line between "natural" and "manipulated" in winemaking?
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CPA, MBA
4moLove my Suja shots!!