Natural Wine vs Conventional Wine: Differences and Benefits

Natural Wine vs Conventional Wine: Differences and Benefits

Introduction

In recent years, natural wine has gained more and more fans and professionals. But what are the main differences between natural wine and conventional wine? And what benefits does it offer in terms of taste, health and sustainability? In this article, you will find out everything you need to make an informed choice.

What is Natural Wine?

Natural wine is made from grapes grown with organic or biodynamic methods, without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. In the cellar, fermentation happens spontaneously with native yeasts, without adding sulfites or chemical additives.

What is Conventional Wine?

Conventional wine is produced with intensive farming techniques, using pesticides, chemical fertilizers and selected yeasts. In the cellar, sulfites and other additives are often added to guarantee stability and uniformity of the final product. For more details, see the Wikipedia page on conventional wine.

Vineyard Differences: Farming Practices and Sustainability

The clearest difference appears in the vineyard. Natural wine grapes are cultivated without chemical pesticides and often follow biodynamic principles, which aim to preserve the vineyard’s ecosystem, improving soil health and biodiversity.

In contrast, conventional farming uses chemicals that can disrupt the natural soil balance and affect grape quality.

Cellar Differences: Fermentation and Treatments

Natural wine avoids selected yeasts, preferring spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts on the grapes. Sulfite addition is minimal or absent and invasive practices like aggressive filtration are avoided.

Conventional wine instead uses selected yeasts, adds sulfites for preservation and applies treatments to standardize the final product. Learn more about spontaneous fermentation.

Impact on Taste, Health and Sustainability

Natural wine tends to have more complex and variable aromatic profiles, truly reflecting the terroir and vintage. This makes it unique for those seeking an authentic tasting experience.

From a health perspective, lower sulfite content may make it more digestible for those sensitive to these substances, although no definitive scientific evidence exists.

Natural wine production is also more sustainable, thanks to eco-friendly farming and less energy used in the cellar.

Benefits for Consumers and the Environment

Choosing natural wine means supporting producers who prioritize quality and respect for nature. These wines tell stories of land and tradition and are an investment in a more responsible wine culture.

Discover our selection of natural wines, including prestigious wineries like Gravner or Podversic.

FAQ

• Is natural wine always organic or biodynamic?
  Not always, but producers often use these methods to ensure quality and authenticity.

• Does natural wine have a shorter shelf life?
  It can, as it lacks artificial preservatives; it’s best enjoyed within a few years.

• Can I find natural wine in every store?
  It’s more common in specialized wine shops or directly from producers, but it’s becoming more widespread.

Conclusion

Natural wine is a conscious choice that combines authentic taste, respect for health and environmental sustainability. Discover our selection on Apewineboxes.com and start your journey into the genuine world of wine