Why natural wines?
Hello wine lovers! In today's blog, I am going to focus on natural wines, a style of wine that has recently become very popular among wine connoisseurs and wine lovers.
I was first introduced to natural wines or wines with less intervention when I tasted the wine of Božidar and Marija Zorjan from Tinjska Gora above Slovenska Bistrica. At that time I did not know what I was trying because, firstly, I was too young to drink alcohol at all and, secondly, before that I had only known classically produced wines, which were usually drunk at home as sparkling wine.
The feelings that overwhelmed me are indescribable and I still remember them today. The wine filled me with energy and love. I did not realize what I was drinking. Today I know.
From that moment on, I became more and more aware of what natural wines are, how they are produced, and who all the winemakers in Slovenia are who produce such wines. At that time, my father and I also started to visit various wine fairs such as Karakttere in Vienna, Orange Wine in Izola, and No Borders in Italy. I attribute a lot of the fact that I started to get to know this world of wine well to my father because without him I wouldn't have met so many winemakers and I wouldn't have visited so many wine fairs.
Natural wines are therefore not only delicious,
but also highly respectful of the natural environment
and the health of those who consume them.
More natural
Natural wines are made with minimal intervention in the production process, which means they are more natural than conventional wines. This means that natural processes are used to ferment and age the wine, without the addition of chemical additives such as sulphites, and without filtration or the addition of other substances.
More tasty
Thanks to the use of natural production methods, natural wines have unique flavours and aromas that reflect the terroir from which they originate. The absence of additives such as sulphites makes the wine taste clearer and more authentic.
Healthier
Natural wines do not contain chemical additives and can be healthier to drink. Additives such as sulphites can cause allergic reactions in some people, so natural wines are more suitable for those with sensitivities to these substances. In addition, natural wines are more likely to be full of nutrients such as antioxidants and flavonoids, which are beneficial for health.
Another big leap for me personally was when I realized my dream and got the opportunity to work in the best restaurant in Slovenia and one of the best in the world, Hiša Franko. There, the sommelier at the time, Alen Audič, opened up the world of natural wines to me.
And just to answer the question of why I support and drink natural wines in the first place. This style of wine opens up a different way of looking at the world because every new bottle and every new glass is completely unique. The wines are not trapped in the bottle behind various additives but are alive and full of good energy.
Finally, I would like to conclude that natural wines represent a particular style of wine that differs from conventional wines in the approach to production. Natural wines are unique, full of energy and character, and they must be tasted to be truly appreciated.
If you are a wine lover, I recommend you try the world of natural wines, because you will surely find a bottle that will delight your taste buds and open up new dimensions of flavours and aromas.
Tijan Wenzel, natural wine expert
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