Natural wine has become a buzzword in the wine world, popping up on restaurant menus, in trendy wine shops and across social media. But what exactly makes a wine “natural”? For some, it’s a commitment to eco-friendly farming and traditional winemaking. For others, it’s about embracing a bottle’s raw, unpolished personality — cloudy pours, funky flavors and all.

This guide uncorks the truth about natural wine, breaking down its minimal-intervention approach, organic and biodynamic roots, and how it stands apart from conventional options. Whether you’re an eco-conscious drinker or just curious about this trendy category, you’ll learn what makes natural wine special and why it’s earned its place in the spotlight.

What Is Natural Wine?

Natural wine is as close to “grape to glass” as it gets. It starts with organic or biodynamic farming, meaning grapes are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. The winemaking process is equally minimalistic — no added sugars, commercial yeasts or other additives that are common in conventional wines. Instead, natural wine relies on native yeasts for fermentation, which often results in unique, unfiltered flavors.

Unlike other wine categories, natural wine doesn’t have a universal certification. It’s more of a philosophy than a regulated term. Many natural winemakers emphasize transparency and sustainability, creating wines that reflect their vintage, terroir and the winemaker’s hands-off approach.

Here’s a quick rundown of what constitutes natural wines:

• No synthetic chemicals in farming: no pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers

• Grapes grown using organic or biodynamic practices

• Hand-harvested grapes to ensure gentle handling

• Fermentation with indigenous (wild) yeasts rather than commercial ones

• Minimal intervention in winemaking: no added sugars, acids or color stabilizers

• Little to no filtering or fining, resulting in a raw, unpolished appearance 

• Low to no added sulfites for preservation

• Avoidance of heavy mechanical processes like pumping or micro-oxygenation

• Winemaking focused on expressing the grape’s natural flavors and terroir

What Is Natural Wine Not?

Natural wine is often misunderstood, leading to several misconceptions about what it entails. Firstly, natural wine is not synonymous with organic or biodynamic wine, though it shares similarities. 

While organic and biodynamic wines adhere to specific agricultural practices, natural wine extends beyond farming methods to include minimal intervention during the winemaking process, such as avoiding additives and limiting technological manipulations. 

Additionally, natural wine is not inherently free of sulfites. Although many natural winemakers strive to minimize or eliminate added sulfites, a complete absence is not a defining criterion.

This lack of a standardized definition is partly why the term “natural wine” is so hotly debated. Unlike organic or biodynamic certifications, there is no regulatory body governing what constitutes natural wine, resulting in varying interpretations among producers and consumers. 

How Does Natural Wine Differ From Conventional Wine?

The differences between natural and conventional wine start in the vineyard. Conventional wine often relies on industrial farming practices, including synthetic chemicals and irrigation, to ensure consistent yields. Natural wine, by contrast, is made with grapes grown organically or biodynamically, prioritizing soil health and biodiversity.

In the cellar, the contrasts are even starker. Conventional wines may contain dozens of approved additives, from sulfites for preservation to stabilizers that enhance color or texture. Natural wines avoid these entirely, aiming to let the grapes and the fermentation process speak for themselves.

These practices result in a wine that’s often cloudier in appearance and more unpredictable in flavor. Conventional wines are crafted for consistency, while natural wines celebrate imperfection, with each bottle offering a snapshot of its time and place.

What Does Natural Wine Taste Like?

Natural wine stands out for its raw, unpolished flavor profile. Unlike conventional wines, which are often crafted for smoothness and consistency, natural wines embrace variance. Earthy, funky and sometimes slightly sour, these wines are as much about the process as the final taste.

Because natural wine is typically unfiltered and unfined, it can have a cloudy appearance and sediment in the bottle. The flavors are often dynamic, with each sip offering something new — one bottle might taste fruity and vibrant, while another might lean into more savory or even wild notes. For those who enjoy an authentic connection to the grape’s origin and terroir, natural wine offers an unmatched experience, though it can be an acquired taste for those accustomed to conventional styles.

Is Natural Wine the Same as Orange Wine?

While natural wine and orange wine are often mentioned together, they’re not the same thing. Natural wine refers to the philosophy and methods behind winemaking, focusing on minimal intervention, organic or biodynamic farming, and avoiding additives. It’s a broad category that can include red, white, rosé, sparkling and even orange wines.

Orange wine, on the other hand, is a specific style of wine. It’s made from white grapes that undergo extended fermentation with their skins, a process typically reserved for red wines. This skin contact gives orange wine its amber hue, tannic structure and often bold, complex flavors. While orange wines can be natural, not all are made using minimal-intervention methods.

In short, natural wine describes how a wine is made, while orange wine describes what kind of wine it is. You can think of orange wine as one potential style within the natural wine movement, but they’re not interchangeable terms.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Usual Wines offer any natural wines?

While we don't offer a “natural wine” per se, all of our wines adhere to several principles of natural wine production. This includes no added sugar, flavorings, concentrates or colorants, ensuring a clean and authentic winemaking process.

2. Does Usual Wines contain added sugar?

Absolutely not. At Usual Wines, we promise not to add anything artificial during the winemaking process. Our carefully sourced grapes speak for themselves, requiring minimal intervention once they hit the barrels. This means no added sugars, flavorings, concentrates or colorants — just pure, unadulterated wine.

3. What forms of payment does Usual Wines accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover and Diners Club credit or debit cards. We also accept PayPal for added convenience. Please note that we do not accept checks or money orders.