Organic wine doesn’t really differ in quality or taste when compared with your standard, more accessible wines. They simply provide an alternative to those who need or want it, such as those with sulphite allergies. For many, drinking wine doesn’t have any negative health consequences, and we frequently enjoy it, it tastes good and it’s the ideal way to relax in the evening after a hard days work. Wine is essentially a health food, if we bar the small matter that it contains alcohol, but we simply need to find the best bottles of natural wines available.
Your standard bottle of wine that has been bought from a local supermarket or corner shop can contain up to a staggering 70 additives and processing aids, whilst not forgetting the commercial yeasts which are added to give a synthetic sense of ‘terroir’. All of these additional ingredients mean that wine has moved from a natural product to something that is as manufactured as any other super market product. Consequently, this can cause severe hangovers, allergies, and skin problems.
Although many have turned their noses up at it in the past, there is still a noticeable increase in popularity in natural, organic and bio-dynamic wines. Drinking quality natural wine is the ‘eating clean’ of the drink world, as it is made with minimal additives and lets the grapes be the star of the show. So, how can you change your wine habits for the better? Isabelle Legeron, author of “Natural Wine: An Introduction to Organic and Biodynamic Wines Made Naturally”, has put together a few tips on ways you can go natural with your wine:
Change the Way you Shop
Don’t bulk-buy your standard bottles of wine from your local supermarket, just because you may get a small discount. Try organic stores, small delis or reliable online wine merchants of natural wines. Their knowledge and trusted review system is a quick and easy way of figuring out the perfect bottle for you.
Go Advanced with Bio-dynamic
For those who wish to go further, there are bio-dynamic wines, which mean that as well as its crop treatment, the farm which produces the wine has a more holistic approach with sustainability in all areas.
Look for Wines with Low or No Sulphates
“The use of excessive sulphites means wines are not being processed as easily by the liver and noxious elements are getting stuck in our system for longer,” says Legeron. “Recent research suggests those with lower sulphites are much more digestible and better for you.”
Start with Organic
Many switch to organic foods to try out when trying to stick to a healthy eating routine, so why not do that with your wine? Switching to organic is a good starting point if you want it to be more natural. “The fermentation process doesn’t get rid of pesticide residue, so in non-organic wine, we are still ingesting it,” says Legeron.
Finding the Perfect Accompaniment
We all have our preferences when it comes to natural wines but what we pair it with is important to be able to get the right balance of flavours. You often hear people say fish and white wine go together, just as well as a glass of red with the classic Italian dish Spaghetti Bolognaise. Below we have listed which types of wines go best with particular food items. You can keep this as your own personal guide to have handy when you next have family and friends over.
Dry White
White table wine, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc are examples of a dry white wine that would go well with the following food items: Vegetables, roasted vegetables and of course, fish.
Sweet White
Examples of a sweet white win would be Malvasia, Moscato and Riesling which are ideal for the following: Soft cheese, hard cheese, cured meat and also sweets.
Rich White
Chardonnay, Roussanne and Viognier are three examples of a rich white and are best when paired with soft cheeses, starches, rich fish and white meat.
Sparkling
Champagne is an obvious suggestion, but Prosecco and Cava are also great for pairing with hard cheese, vegetables, starches and fish.
Light Red
If you’re thinking of serving up a feast of rich fish, white meat and cured meat, along with a side of roasted vegetables, you ideal companion in a glass is going to St. Laurent, Pinot Noir, Gamay or Zweigelt.
Medium Red
White meat, red meat and cured meat are served best with medium reds such as Merlot or a quality Spanish red wine such as Tempranillo.
Bold Red
Aglianico, Malbec and Syrah are three examples of a bold red, offering the perfect balance of flavours for dishes that include cured or red meat, plus starches.
If you wish to find out more about natural, organic, bio-dynamic, or sulphite-free wines then get in touch with a reliable and reputable online store. These experts are available to help you figure out the best wine type for you, with passionate opinions and quality reviews of each product, your new favourite tipple is just a couple of clicks away!
