The weird, funky and wonderful world of natural wines can be hard to navigate when you aren’t sure what you’re after. With so much variety comes panic purchasing a $20 bottle of what looks like off fanta, generally leading to slight disappointment.

Excuse our French but natural wine can be F**k**g  incredible. You just have to know what you like in wine and how to tell if it’s going to be right for your tastes. Here our some tips for selecting your poison:

Number #1: Understand what you are drinking

Many natural wines are often blends of different grapes that are made without additives such as yeast, sugar or flavours. The final product may taste slightly different from what you’re used to and that’s ok. Most conventional wines contain added sulfites to prevent spoilage or changes that may not be suited to a general consumer palette - the antithesis of a natural wine!

So what can you expect? There is no one size fits all. Every wine from any given producer will be totally different. Some may be more ‘funky’ meaning more fermented, so you may expect a ‘kombucha’ like experience. Others may be slightly less refined, meaning they are a bit cloudy in appearance and then there’s your more ‘pure’ and crystalline types, great for those who are new to drinking natural stuff.  

Number #2: Get to know your fancy words

Let’s break down some basics. Master these three and you’ll be sure to convince anyone you’re a natural wine enthusiast:

First and foremost, what does it mean to drink an ‘Organic’ wine and how is it different to ‘Biodynamic’? Organic wine means the grapes are grown without the use of chemical pesticides however, it does not actually mean there are no additives to the final product. 

Biodynamic on the other hand, must be grown under a certain framework meaning everything from the soil to the farming methods are sustainable and free from chemical fertilizers or pesticides. 

So WTF is ‘pét-nat’? Commonly known as ‘pétillant-naturel’, this is a term used to describe a category of sparkling wines. Much like a kombucha, these babies are bottled before the primary fermentation is complete without the secondary addition of yeasts and sugars. 

Finally, ‘skin contact’ is something you may come across more often than you think, and no it’s not the kind you encounter on a sweaty dancefloor pre covid. Basically, white wine grapes are left to do their thing but the skins are left on. What’s results is something slightly rounder than a rosé, commonly referred to as ‘orange’ wine. 

Number #3. Try everything and only spend what you’re comfortable with!

Trust us, there is a natural wine for everybody. Don’t give up on trying different varieties or producers. Seek out some natural bottle shops in your area, try something new when you go out for dinner and even sign up for a natural wine subscription - there are many local online stores that will deliver to your door. Lastly, understand what you like in a conventional wine and match that with a natural version. In terms of price, we recommended starting with $25 - $40 dollars, you’ll be sure to find a gem that won’t break the bank.

Happy drinking!