Everything You Need to Know About Natural Wines

Natural wine is having its moment in the spotlight. But what exactly is it?

Generally, it’s a wine with no additives and little-to-no added sulfites. The grapes are also sustainably farmed and fermented using indigenous yeasts.

You can find it at a handful of bars and restaurants specializing in natural wines—and a few importers you can shop through.

What is a Natural Wine?

Natural wine is a style that focuses on “nothing added, nothing removed.” This includes avoiding the use of additives like sulfites in the production process. It also means that grapes are grown without using herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, or other chemical inputs during the grape cultivation stage.

Regarding winemaking, natural wines are fermented using wild yeast and little to no filtration before bottling. This allows for various flavors and textures influenced by the vineyard, climate, grape varietal, and other factors.

Many natural wines can be fruity, floral, skunky, or funky, depending on the winemaker’s methods and the fermentation process. They can be red, white, orange, rose, or sparkling. It’s essential to remember that natural wine is spontaneous and can be more volatile than regular wine, so it must be stored and drunk quickly after purchase. It may also have sediment in the bottle.

What are the Benefits of Natural Wine?

Natural wines offer the consumer a more authentic flavor experience based on the terroir (the region and land where grapes are grown), soil conditions, varietal, and when it is harvested. They also have fewer additives, meaning the wine is full of exciting compounds and antioxidants that would be stripped from conventionally made wines.

They are often less structured and more funky, floral, or skunky than traditional wines. They can also be more acidic, and the fruit-forward flavors pair with lighter dishes.

Lastly, unlike a lot of mainstream wines, they tend to be lower in alcohol and have a reverence for restraint. J

Where Can I Find Natural Wine in Toronto?

Toronto has a growing number of natural wine bars and bottle shops. These places aim to minimize the winemaking process and rely on the grapes to make a balanced wine. They don’t add sulfites or use additives of any kind. This includes avoiding oxidative aging and fining in barrels. Some of these spots also have food on the menu.

You can also find the best natural wines in Toronto at a few government liquor stores. While their selection is limited compared to specialty bars/bottle shops, these stores are starting to get on board with this trend.

Several natural wine importers work with these government liquor stores. Look for them at your local store to try some wines you’ve never tried before. They are generally listed on the back label of a wine bottle and can get some more minor, often younger producers into government liquor stores.

How Do I Drink Natural Wine?

Natural wines are gaining popularity, and restaurants worldwide offer them on their menus. Bottleshops and wine retailers are also starting to carry them. Some even have dedicated departments to showcase their options.

When shopping for a natural wine, look for a clear or cloudy appearance and taste it to see whether you like it. It should be light and dry and offer a unique flavor based on the grapes, their environment, and the winemaker’s skill.

If a natural wine has an off-flavor, such as musty or moldy, it may have been spoiled by microorganisms. Avoid purchasing a bottle of this variety if you detect these off-flavors, as it could harm your health. The best way to prevent spoilage is to store the wine in a cool, dark place and consume it within a reasonable time frame. Also, store it in a glass or bottle with a tight seal and avoid exposing it to heat.