Az.Agr Pian del Pino di Giovanni Batacchi – PI 01512450519
Via Ascione 6919 – Fraz. Campogialli – 52028 Terranuova Bracciolini (Ar) – Toscana – Italia
cell. +39.353.435.894 – e-mail : info@piandelpino.com – web: www.piandelpino.com
1# Discovering ( or “rediscovering”) Natural Wines.
Natural wine as an art to express the territory in a bottle.
Foreword
That of wine is one of the worlds most steeped in stories, traditions, and production techniques handed down through the centuries. In this world, natural wine has gained more and more attention in the last 20 years. Natural wine began, at least in the beginning, as a return to the roots of oenology, becoming an art that sought to authentically express the land from which it came. In this first part I would like to explore natural wine, discovering what makes it unique and answering the most common questions revolving around this world.
What exactly is natural wine?
Natural wine is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of grape juice but with a very special production philosophy. Unlike commonly called “conventional” wines, natural wine is produced with minimal human intervention, without the use of synthetic chemicals, selected yeasts or other corrective or supplementary substances. The goal is to preserve the naturalness of the wine so that it reflects the terroir and vintage in an authentic way.
Natural wine has deep roots in the winemaking tradition dating back centuries. It is produced following ancient principles of agriculture and winemaking, with a focus on the soil health, to biodiversity and to minimal human intervention. This artisanal approach carries forward the concept of “terroir,” that is, the idea that the wine reflects the place where the grapes were grown so as to “extract” the unique character of the vineyard and region.
So what differentiates natural wine from other types of wine?
The first substantial difference from other wines is that natural wine contains no chemical additives. This means that during grape processing, no pesticides or artificial fertilizers are used, and no foreign substances are added to the grapes during winemaking, with the only possible exception of a possible small dose of sulfur dioxide.
The second main difference is that the fermentation process of natural wine is spontaneous, without the addition of selected yeasts. The result is a wine that fully reflects the characteristics of the soil and climate in which it was produced.
A third main difference is the limitation or absence of filtering operations, clarifications, and any other invasive manipulation. All this is done in order to preserve the purity of the grape and its inherent characteristics, with the goal that each bottle has a unique soul, as the production process does not interfere with its nature.
Natural wine is imbued with a philosophy “less is more“. Producers seek to preserve the naturalness of wine by allowing indigenous yeasts and natural processes to play a predominant role in fermentation. This can lead to wines with wilder and more surprising characteristics.
Can the natural wine world be said to be pro-sustainability and pro-environment?
Certainly. Natural wine represents a sustainable and ethical choice, as it promotes farming practices that respect the environment and plant welfare. In addition, the lack of use of artificial chemicals during grape production reduces the negative impact on the ecosystem by promoting the biodiversity of vineyard soils.
Natural wine producers adopt environmentally friendly farming practices, predominantly growing their grapes organically, biodynamically. This means no synthetic pesticides or harsh chemicals are used, preserving soil health and biodiversity. The sustainable approach goes beyond the vineyard, influencing winemaking decisions as well. Natural wine production minimizes the use of additives and human intervention, creating a product that fully reflects its terroir. Environmental sustainability is an ongoing commitment for natural wine producers, who see the earth as a precious gift to be protected.
What should I expect on the tasting level from natural wine?
Natural wine offers an authentic and unique sensory experience. Because it is handcrafted and free of chemical additives and without invasive manipulation, natural wine is able to fully express the characteristics of the grape and the terroir in which it was produced. This allows the taster to appreciate the flavors, aromas and tactile sensations of the wine in a more authentic way.
Is natural wine therefore better than conventional wine?
The quality of wine is a matter of personal preference. Natural wine offers a different and bold perspective, but it is not necessarily better. It is important to explore both worlds and discover what best suits one’s tastes. It is equally important that the wine is made well, that it has no flaws. In any case, natural wine tasting requires an open, noncatalogizing approach. When all this happens doing without natural wines will not be entirely easy, because those unique, unusual flavors, that being a bit “wild,” which often takes us to the heart of the vineyard, becomes a real journey among authentic tastes, becomes a food and wine heritage to be discovered and enjoyed.
Can natural wine have flaws and gross imperfections?
I answer this question in the post devoted to what natural wines are not :” Natural wine: from faults to the rediscovery of authenticity”
What is the difference between natural wines and artisanal wines
Usually the two terms are interchangeable although of the two the more codified one is certainly “natural.” With the term artisanal, an attempt is made to place more emphasis on manual production, under the direction of the owner, as is often the case in small wineries and independent producers. However, as is often the case, with very few exceptions, natural producers are unlikely to exhibit the requirements of craftsmanship.
Bottom line?
Natural wine is much more than a beverage. It is a philosophy that celebrates the beauty of nature and the diversity of the land. It is a fascinating world where taste surprises are the order of the day and where respect for nature is at the heart of everything.
Behind every bottle of natural wine is a story of passion, dedication, mistakes, experiences and results. Natural wine producers work tirelessly to create wines that reflect the best of their terroir and grapes. This passion extends from the vineyard to the winery, where winemaking choices are guided by the quest for authenticity and purity.
Whether you are new to the world of natural wine or an experienced winemaker or sommelier, I invite you to explore this category of wines and discover the pleasure of tasting the pure and authentic flavor of nature in every glass.
Campogialli, 08/11/2023
John Batacchi
Viticulturist and Winemaker
