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I view fads, trends, and movements with a measure of skepticism. However, some deserve attention. The “natural” or “clean” wine fad generates interest, with producers spending marketing dollars convincing shoppers that their wine is different and better.
Be aware that the terms natural or clean are not regulated, meaning anything the producer or purchaser wants them to mean. Instead of natural or clean wine, I think low-intervention wine is a better way to understand this phenomenon.
Winegrowers who use a low-intervention approach express this concept as “letting the grapes speak for themselves,” “we are stewards of the land,” or “not manipulating wine; instead, we guide the natural processes.”
When seeking out low-intervention wine, look for certified organic wineries, certified biodynamic wineries, or wine made with organic grapes. However, wineries do not have to be certified to produce low-intervention wine, so other things to look for are the use of naturally occurring yeast, limited use of sulfides, and no fining material or additives. Fining is a process for clarifying wine by passing material through it, the material acts like a magnet attracting solids that can then be removed.
In theory, natural wine would be made from grapes grown without chemicals and harvested carefully. Without additives, wine is fermented, filtered, and bottled with low intervention by the winemaker.
A positive outcome of the natural wine fad is that it pressures the wine industry to be more transparent. Consumers will always benefit from producers being open about production methodologies, additives used, and chemicals applied to things we consume.
It is unclear where the natural wine fad will end up; it could be on the trash heap of fads or become a way of life. Meanwhile, the mindful consumer must research producers’ practices and reputations to determine whether a wine is a low-intervention wine or not.
The “local” movement is another phenomenon that deserves to be mentioned. Going local has transitioned from a fad to a trend, to a movement, and now a way of life for excellent reasons.
Small and medium businesses, not big businesses, make up the bulk of jobs in the US, and supporting these local businesses is a tangible way to improve and sustain the way of life where you live. The concept of supporting businesses can easily be extended outward from my town, region, state, and country.
You are truly blessed if you have the good fortune of living locally in a wine-producing region. At a minimum, visiting the beautiful wineries while sharing wine with friends and family is unique. At best, you can know where your wine comes from, meet winery owners, and rub shoulders with the winemakers.
Supporting local wineries is fun. It contributes to the fabric of your community, creates jobs, preserves land, and ensures a way of life for future generations.
