By Michael Bray
What does it mean for a wine to be classified as “natural” or “organic”? And why are only certain wines vegan, even though they’re all made from grapes? I’ll be exploring these topics in this week’s article, and sharing information on one of my favorite wines of the moment.
Natural & Organic Wines
Natural wines and organic wines have a lot in common (most significantly, a concern for the earth and sustainable practices), and several key differences.
To be certified organic by the USDA, a wine must be made without genetic engineering, and it must undergo a rigorous process of inspections and assessments. The grapes must be grown organically, without synthetic fertilizers, and all other ingredients (such as yeast and fining agents) must be certified organic, as well. While sulfites are commonly added to wines as an additional preserving agent or to enhance flavor, organic wines cannot have added sulfites. Wines labeled as “made with organic grapes” have slightly less restrictions, but it is still a feat for winemakers to achieve this certification.
“Natural wine,” on the other hand, is not a legal certification. Rather, it’s a loose term that refers to wines made with little to no intervention by the winemaker. This means grapes are grown without the assistance of pesticides, grapes are handpicked, and juice is fermented into wine using only native yeasts. These yeasts occur naturally on the fruit, and winemakers allow fermentation to start spontaneously, rather than controlling fermentation with the addition of cultured yeasts. While natural wines won’t necessary be certified organic, one could argue that they exemplify the most ancient, non-invasive method of winemaking.
You can expect native yeasts to impart wildly different flavor profiles and textures onto wine. Natural wines may have an oily or creamy texture, and exhibit funky aromas and flavors reminiscent of barnyard, forest floor, and sourdough (along with more familiar impressions of fruit and spice).
Vegan Wines
While the grapes in wine are (of course) vegan, other ingredients added during the winemaking process can present a challenge to those looking to avoid animal byproducts.
Most wines undergo a process called “fining,” during which a substance (the “fining agent”) is added to clarify and stabilize the wine. The fining agent binds to unwanted particles that could cause the wine to appear hazy or contribute undesirable aromas and flavors. Oftentimes, these fining agents are derived from animal products. Egg whites, casein (a protein commonly found in cow’s milk), and isinglass (a form of collagen obtained from the swim bladders of fish) are among the most popular fining agents.
If you are searching for vegan wines, go natural! Natural wines are made with minimal intervention and are typically unfined. Some producers also employ sterile ceramic filters instead of a more conventional fining agent.
What I’m Drinking Now: Roberto Henriquez Corinto Super Estrella 2019 (Itata Valley, Chile; 100% Chasselas)
This extremely limited production wine checks all the boxes mentioned above: it’s natural, organic, and vegan! Winemaker Roberto Henriquez farms the land himself and hand-harvests his grapes, utilizing the traditional Pipeño methods of the original Chilean winemakers. This results in the most natural wine possible, exhibiting the purest expression of the grapes and the soil in which they grow.
Corinto Super Estrella is an orange wine, a type of white wine that experiences extended contact with the grape skins and seeds during fermentation. This process pulls color and tannins from the grape skins, and results in an orange-hued wine with substantial body, bold flavors, and honeyed aromas.
Made from 100% Chasselas grapes, this wine opens with vibrant aromas of tropical fruit that continue on the palate. The bright flavors are balanced by refreshing acidity, herbal notes, and a touch of minerality. This wine is limited and only available in magnum-sized bottles (1.5 liters – twice the size of a standard wine bottle), as it’s designed to be shared!
As always, if you have any wine-related questions, or fun wine adventures to share, please email me any time at michael@passionvines.com
Drink passionately,
Michael
Michael Bray is the founder of and director of operations at Passion Vines Wine & Spirit Company in Somers Point and Egg Harbor Township. He serves on numerous local boards.
