5 Key Differences Between Natural Wine and Organic Wine

5 Key Differences Between Natural Wine and Organic Wine

There are many factors to consider when choosing a bottle of wine. From the grape variety to the region of production, several factors influence the nature of a wine. But have you ever stopped to think about how the wine was made? In recent years, there has been a growing interest in natural and organic wines, with many wine lovers seeking out these options for their potential health benefits and environmentally-friendly production methods. However, while these terms may seem interchangeable, there are distinct differences between natural wine and organic wine. So, whether you’re looking for natural wine delivery in Sydney or a preservative-free wine, read on to discover the unique characteristics of natural and organic wine.

Certification

For a wine to be labelled as organic within Australia, it must adhere to strict guidelines and be certified by recognised organisations such as the Australian Certified Organic (ACO) or the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia (NASAA). This certification confirms that the vineyards abstain from using synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers, ensuring that the grapes are grown by organic farming principles.

Natural wines, however, navigate a different path. No formal certification process is mandated for natural wines in Australia, leaving winemakers with more freedom in their methods. Many producers of natural wine practice organic or biodynamic farming, but they are not required to obtain certification to market their wines as natural. This lack of standardised certification for natural wines leads to a broad spectrum of practices under the natural wine banner, ranging from minimal intervention in both the vineyard and the winery to excluding all additives, including sulphites.

Use of Additives

The distinction in applying additives between natural and organic wines is a pivotal point of differentiation. While both styles strive to minimise the use of unnatural substances, their approaches and regulations diverge significantly. Organic winemaking permits the limited use of additives, including sulphites, if these compounds adhere to organic standards and are naturally derived. This allows organic wines to maintain a degree of preservation and stability without veering away from their organic principles.

Conversely, the philosophy underpinning natural winemaking gravitates towards an absolute minimalism in additives. The ethos of natural, preservative free wine production emphasises the wine’s development as a purely natural process, ideally devoid of any introduced preservatives, including sulphites. This purist approach aims to deliver an unadulterated wine, capturing the raw essence and nuanced character of the grapes and their vineyard origin.

Winemaking Process

The approach to creating wine diverges notably between natural and organic winemaking, specifically in the level and type of intervention by the winemaker. Organic winemaking, while adhering to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, still employs conventional methods in the winery. This may include controlled fermentation using selected yeasts to ensure consistency and predictability in the wine’s profile. These processes are guided by the principles of organic certification, which allow for certain interventions if they align with organic standards.

On the other hand, natural winemaking advocates for a more hands-off approach. It leans heavily on the concept of terroir, seeking to express the purest form of the grape and the land on which it was grown. This includes relying on spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts present on the grape skins and in the winery environment rather than introducing commercial yeasts. The minimal intervention approach extends to avoiding temperature control during fermentation and often eschews filtration and fining, allowing the wine to evolve as naturally as possible. This process can result in wines that are vibrant and full of character, though they may exhibit significant variability from bottle to bottle.

Environmental Impact

The environmental implications of choosing between natural and organic wines are noteworthy. Both farming practices provide significant benefits to the ecosystem, emphasising reducing chemical use and fostering healthier vineyard environments. Organic vineyards focus on maintaining soil integrity, using compost and green manures to nourish the land without synthetic inputs. These methods contribute to water preservation and encourage a balanced ecosystem, supporting diverse flora and fauna.

Natural winemaking takes these principles even further by adopting a holistic view of agriculture and winemaking. It incorporates not just the avoidance of synthetic chemicals in the vineyard but also extends to the winemaking process. By allowing the wine to ferment naturally with native yeasts and without additives, natural wine producers aim to create a product that truly represents its environment, including the microflora in the vineyard. This practice minimises the winery’s ecological footprint and promotes the uniqueness of each wine, reflecting the specific conditions and biodiversity of its place of origin.

Availability and Price

Organic wines have carved out a significant niche, supported by structured certification processes that lend credibility and familiarity to these offerings. This established presence facilitates a broader distribution network, making organic wines readily accessible to many consumers. They span a variety of price brackets, ensuring there’s an organic option for almost any budget, from everyday drinkers to the more discerning palates looking for high-end selections.

On the flip side, natural wines occupy a more exclusive territory within the wine market. Their availability is often contingent on the networks of individual winemakers and the relationships they foster with specialised retailers and online platforms offering natural wine delivery. The artisanal nature of natural wine production, coupled with the absence of preservatives, demands meticulous handling and storage, factors that can limit distribution and elevate costs.

Flavour Profile and Consistency

Exploring the distinct characteristics of natural and organic wines illuminates their unique contributions to the palate. Organic wines benefit from meticulous organic farming techniques and careful handling during the winemaking process, yielding pure, vibrant, and reliably consistent flavours from bottle to bottle. The essence of the fruit shines through in these wines, offering a clean and accessible taste profile that appeals to a broad spectrum of wine lovers. These wines capture the authenticity of their grape varietals and terroir without sacrificing predictability, making them a go-to choice for those who appreciate a steady and reliable wine experience.

On the other end of the spectrum, natural wines present a tapestry of flavours that mirror the unbridled essence of their origins. The minimal intervention philosophy allows every bottle to narrate its own story, influenced by the subtleties of its environment and the unique conditions of its vintage year. This approach can yield a fascinating array of tasting notes, from bold and rustic to refined and sophisticated. The absence of additives and reliance on native yeasts create wines that are not just beverages but expressions of time, place, and the winemaker’s vision. This unpredictability and diversity attract connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike to natural wines despite their potential for variation and the adventurous tasting experience they offer.

Natural and organic wines stand as testaments to winemaking, yet they cater to different preferences in flavour consistency and complexity. Organic wine assures a reliable quality and taste for those who value consistency. Meanwhile, natural wines invite enthusiasts on a journey of discovery, with each sip offering a chance to explore the nuanced interplay of natural factors that shape their character. This divergence in flavour profile and consistency underscores the richness of choice available to today’s wine lovers, celebrating the diversity of the wine world.

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