How to Taste Natural Wines

Natural wine has surged in popularity over the last decade, captivating wine lovers with its authentic, vibrant flavors and the stories behind its production. Unlike conventional wines, natural wines emphasize minimal intervention---from vineyard to bottle---highlighting the pure expression of terroir, grape, and vintage. However, natural wine often challenges conventional tasting expectations due to its variability and distinctive sensory profile.

Tasting natural wines requires a unique approach, combining traditional wine tasting techniques with an openness to unexpected flavors, aromas, and textures. This comprehensive guide will explore the art and science of tasting natural wines, helping you deepen your appreciation for this exciting category.

What is Natural Wine?

Before diving into tasting techniques, it's essential to understand what natural wine is and how it differs from conventional or even organic wines.

Defining Natural Wine

Natural wine is produced with minimal technological and chemical intervention throughout the entire winemaking process. Key principles include:

• Organic or Biodynamic Viticulture: Grapes are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.
• Spontaneous Fermentation: Use of native yeast naturally present on the grape skins or in the winery, rather than commercial yeast strains.
• No Additives or Minimal Additives: No or very limited additions of sulfites (commonly used preservatives in conventional winemaking), no acid adjustments, fining, or filtering.
• Unfiltered and Unfined: Many natural wines are bottled without filtration, resulting in a cloudy appearance and sediment.

Why Does Natural Wine Taste Different?

The absence of additives and industrial processes means natural wines often have:

• Greater variability from bottle to bottle and vintage to vintage.
• A wider spectrum of aromas and flavors, sometimes described as funky, earthy, or wild.
• An alive and dynamic mouthfeel, sometimes with a slight fizz or prickliness from natural carbonation.

Preparing to Taste Natural Wine

Tasting natural wine is not just about sipping and judging; it's about immersing yourself in the experience with curiosity and mindfulness.

Choose the Right Glassware

The shape and size of the glass influence how aromas develop and how you perceive taste. While many natural wine producers prefer standard wine glasses, a slightly wider bowl glass helps:

• Capture the wine's complex aromas.
• Allow the wine to breathe and open up.

Proper Serving Temperature

Natural wines generally perform best slightly cooler than room temperature:

• Whites and rosés: 8-12°C (46-54°F)
• Reds: 14-18°C (57-64°F)

Serving too warm can emphasize volatile acidity or alcohol, while too cold can mute the delicate aromas.

Pouring and Observation

Pour a modest amount to allow space for swirling and smelling. Observe the wine's:

• Clarity: Natural wines can be cloudy or hazy, which is normal and part of their character.
• Color: Look for hues and intensity that may indicate grape variety and age.
• Effervescence: Some natural wines have natural sparkle from bottle fermentation.

The Five Steps to Tasting Natural Wine

Tasting natural wine effectively involves applying a structured method that respects its idiosyncrasies. Here are five essential steps.

1. Look

Examine the wine's appearance carefully:

• Color and Intensity: Natural white wines can range from pale straw to deep gold or even orange (in the case of skin-contact or "orange" wines). Reds can be bright ruby or murky brick.
• Clarity: Expect some sediment or cloudiness; this is normal and reflects unfiltered, unrefined wine.
• Viscosity: Swirl the wine and observe how it coats the glass (legs). Thicker legs might indicate higher alcohol or sugar, but in natural wine, it could also reflect texture from phenolic compounds.

2. Swirl and Smell

Aromas in natural wines often diverge from the familiar fruit-forward profile of conventional wines. When smelling:

• Give the wine time to open: Natural wines may start with intense funk or reductive notes that evolve into more subtle layers.
• Look for earthiness: Soil, mushroom, wet leaves, or forest floor aromas are common.
• Recognize complexity: You may notice unexpected scents---barnyard, yeast, honey, dried herbs, or citrus zest.
• Watch for off-putting notes: While natural wine can smell "funky," a sharp vinegar or nail polish remover smell may indicate spoilage or excessive volatile acidity.

3. Sip and Evaluate the Taste

When tasting natural wine, approach the palate with an open mind:

• Texture and Mouthfeel: Natural wines may feel texturally different---grippy tannins, slight spritz or bubbles, or an almost chewy density.
• Flavors: Expect a broad palette---ripe fruit, tartness, herbal or savory notes, and umami.
• Acidity: Natural wines tend to have vibrant, sometimes aggressive acidity that lends freshness.
• Tannin: Particularly in natural reds, tannins may be more rustic or less polished.
• Balance: Evaluate how the elements (fruit, acidity, tannin, alcohol) integrate. Natural wines often balance in unexpected but harmonious ways.

4. Reflect on the Finish

The finish---the lingering taste after swallowing---is an important indicator of wine quality.

• Length: How long do flavors persist? Natural wines can have long, evolving finishes.
• Aftertaste: Is there a pleasant earthiness, minerality, or subtle bitterness?
• Evolution: Some natural wines change noticeably on the palate over time, revealing new layers.

5. Consider the Overall Impression

Step back and reflect on the overall tasting experience:

• What emotions or memories does the wine evoke?
• How does it compare to your expectations of natural wine or other wines you know?
• Is the wine expressing its terroir, vintage, and maker's philosophy?

Common Flavor Profiles and Aromas in Natural Wines

Understanding typical natural wine flavors and aromas helps you recognize and appreciate their uniqueness.

Earthy and Mineral Notes

Natural wines often carry pronounced earthiness, including:

• Wet soil, forest floor, mushroom, truffle
• Chalk, flint, or crushed stones

Funk and "Barnyard" Aromas

These can be polarizing but are signature elements of natural wine:

• Yeasty, bread dough, or sourdough
• Leather, horse blanket, or hay
• Slightly cheesy or animalic scents

Bright and Tart Fruit

Natural wines may feature lively, sometimes wild fruit flavors:

• Crisp green apple, quince, or citrus peel in whites
• Tart cherry, raspberry, or cranberry in reds
• Occasionally tropical or stone fruit depending on the grape

Herbal and Floral Complexity

Notes can include:

• Dried herbs like thyme, sage, or rosemary
• Wildflowers, chamomile, or elderflower

Spontaneous Fermentation Notes

Due to native yeasts, natural wines sometimes develop:

• Slight spritz or carbonation
• Lactic or malolactic fermentation aromas (buttery, creamy)

Understanding Common Challenges in Tasting Natural Wines

Natural wines often come with complexities and unpredictabilities that challenge traditional wine tasting frameworks.

Variability and Bottle Differences

Natural wines may taste different from bottle to bottle, or even glass to glass, because:

• They are not fined or filtered.
• No sulfites (or very low levels) mean wines can continue evolving or even spoil slightly.
• Fermentation may be incomplete or ongoing.

Off-Flavors vs. Faults

It can be tricky to distinguish authentic natural wine character from genuine faults.

• Volatile Acidity (VA): Some level of VA can add complexity, but excessive vinegar-like smell is a fault.
• Brettanomyces (Brett): This yeast can impart leathery, smoky, or barnyard notes. Moderate Brett is often acceptable; too much is considered a flaw.
• Oxidation: Natural wines may show some oxidative notes but excessive browning or sherry-like aromas may indicate spoilage.
• Reduction: Smells of rotten eggs or struck matches often fade with aeration.

Openness to Subjectivity

Natural wine tasting is often more subjective than conventional wine. Personal preferences and experiences heavily influence appreciation. Embrace this variability and develop your own palate over time.

Practical Tips for Enjoying and Tasting Natural Wine

1. Taste with Others

Natural wine tasting is social. Comparing notes with friends or experts can enhance your understanding and appreciation.

2. Take Notes

Write down impressions, aromas, and flavors as they evolve in the glass. This practice builds sensory memory and sharpens your palate.

3. Experiment with Food Pairings

Natural wines often pair wonderfully with rustic, artisanal, or fermented foods:

• Charcuterie, aged cheeses, kimchi, or sourdough bread
• Dishes with herbs, spices, or umami-rich components

4. Decant or Aerate When Needed

Some natural wines benefit from decanting or gentle aeration to open up aromas and soften textures.

5. Store Properly

Natural wines can be sensitive to light, temperature fluctuations, and oxygen. Store bottles in a cool, dark place and consume within recommended timeframes.

The Philosophy Behind Tasting Natural Wines

Tasting natural wines is also a philosophical experience that connects drinkers with the earth, tradition, and artisan winemaking.

• Connection to Terroir: You taste the soil, climate, and natural environment through the wine.
• Respect for Nature: Minimal intervention reflects a commitment to ecological balance.
• Appreciation of Imperfection: Natural wines celebrate flaws and variation, reminding us that beauty is not uniform.
• Mindful Consumption: Natural wine encourages slowing down, savoring, and being present.

Conclusion

Tasting natural wine is a journey of discovery, combining sensory analysis, education, and open-mindedness. Unlike conventional wines that often follow a predictable style, natural wines challenge and enrich the palate with their wild, earthy, and vibrant character. By learning how to look, smell, taste, and reflect on these wines, you can deepen your appreciation for this unique expression of viticulture and craft.

Natural wine tasting is not just about evaluating a drink---it's about embracing a living, evolving work of art that tells a story of place, people, and passion. So pour a glass, open your senses, and enjoy the adventure.

If you'd like, I can also provide a detailed glossary of terms often encountered in natural wine tasting or recommendations for specific natural wines to try!

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