Natural vs Organic Wines

Have you heard about the latest craze sweeping the grapevines? “Natural” and “organic” are two increasingly popular buzzwords in the wine industry. In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in consumer demand towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly wines, with producers adopting more eco-conscious practices. However, you may be wondering, what distinguishes natural wine from organic wine?

What is organic wine? 

Organic wine is made from grapes that have been grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, or other chemicals. Organic vineyards must meet certain standards and be certified by an accredited organisation. 

During production, organic wine is made without the use of added sulfites or other synthetic chemicals. However, different countries have different rules for what is deemed “organic.” For instance, in the EU, EU-certified organic wines can contain 100 mg/L of total sulfites for red wines and up to 150 mg/L of total sulfites for whites and rosé. While in the US, organic wines mustn’t contain any.

Taste profiles:

• Fruit-forward: Many organic wines have a strong fruit character, with flavors and aromas of ripe berries, stone fruits, and citrus.
• Herbaceous: Organic wines can have herbal notes, such as thyme, sage, and rosemary, that are often associated with natural winemaking.
• Earthy: Some organic wines have an earthy quality, with flavors and aromas of mushrooms, forest floors, and wet stones.
• Mineral-driven: Organic wines can have a mineral-driven quality, with flavors and aromas of flint, chalk, and slate.
• Balanced acidity: Organic wines often have a balanced acidity, which can give them a refreshing and crisp character.
• Lower alcohol: Organic wines may have a lower alcohol content compared to conventionally produced wines.

What is Natural Wine? 

We’ve all seen the latest wine craze, natural wine. These days you can find natural wine everywhere, from your local grocery store to the hippest wine bars in town. But what is natural wine? Well, it’s like the rebel of the wine world – made with minimal intervention in both the vineyard and the winery. That means the grapes are grown without any synthetic chemicals, and the wine is fermented using natural yeasts, without adding any extra sulfites or synthetic stuff. 

Natural wine is often unfiltered and unfined, so it might look a bit cloudy which just adds to its charm. Unlike organic wines, there are currently no legal standards for natural wine production, nor does it need a specific label certifying that it is a natural wine. Natural wines, also usually do not contain any added sulfites, while some organic wines do. 

Taste profiles:

• Funky: Natural wines can have a funky or “barnyard” quality, with flavors and aromas of earth, leather, and sometimes even animal sweat.
• Fruity: Natural wines can have a strong fruit character, with flavors and aromas of fresh berries, stone fruits, and citrus.
• Floral: Some natural wines have a floral quality, with flavors and aromas of wildflowers and herbs.
• Tart: Natural wines can have a tart or sour quality, with high levels of acidity that can give them a refreshing and crisp character.
• Tannic: Natural wines can have a tannic quality, with a dry and sometimes slightly bitter finish.
• Unfiltered and cloudy: Natural wines are often unfiltered and unfined, which can give them a cloudy appearance and a more rustic character.

We all want to do our part in being environmentally conscious, so why not do that through wine! In summary, both organic and natural wines prioritise sustainable farming and minimal intervention in the winemaking process, but natural wine takes this approach further by allowing for more natural processes and unique flavours in the final product.