not another natural wine chat

Warning: this chat contains sulphur. 

Listen, we’re almost done talking about natural wine. It’s been the most debated movement in the modern wine world since screw caps filled the gap where a cork should go. 

It’s contentious partly because it doesn’t adhere to a specific set of rules for certification and there are such different definitions of what ‘natural’ actually means. It’s possibly also a tad divisive because it made a lot of established wineries feel like they were out of touch and not down with the kids.  

The old guard poo-pooed it as being a ‘fly-by-night’ experimental winemaking fling by try-hard kids that wouldn’t stand the test of time. Many scathingly scoffed at the lack of clarity the wine had in the glass and described the taste as terrible, lacking complexity that was full of faults that basically rendered it undrinkable. The randomness of wine labels lacking all the proper information also ruffled feathers. 

The reality though, is that natural wine as a category has brought a welcome injection of innovation and energy to the industry while paying homage (even if unwittingly) to the heritage and legacy of the wonderful traditions behind the craft that go back hundreds of years. Also, natural wine brands seem to have a common trait of no fear when it comes to designing eye-catching, arty wine labels and, well, we love that stuff.  

These days you’ll find wine bars and restaurants where the wine list is 100% natural wine. So, it feels like the world has accepted the movement is here to stay, thus rendering any further chat on the topic unnecessary. But, after long chats over a sherry or two and some excellent anchovies on toast at Alma, we realised we still had a bit to say on the subject — especially around the definition and the rules around sulphur in wine. 

So, fill your glass with something completely impossible to see through and feel the nature. This is the not serious natural wine chat. 

not serious wine chats would like to thank our supporters:
Tradecraft
By the Bottle
Antipodes Water Co.
Special thanks to my pal, Benj Brooking of Popular.nz for his help with the editing. An expert filmmaker, editing these chats is being done as one mate helping another. Thanks Benj. You're a legend.

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