What sets natural wine apart? Here’s why it’s become so popular, plus the very best to buy
The natural and organic movement has infiltrated our skincare routine, our fashion choices and our food shop (and that’s just the tip of the iceberg). So it won’t come as much of a surprise that it’s taking over our tipple, too. Sales of natural wine in the UK have increased by over 30% in the last 18 months. Consumers are opting for natural wine over more traditional styles, with the trend for natural wines set to double by 2022. It begs the question – what is natural wine and why is it so popular?
Technically undefined (much like in the beauty industry), there’s currently no firm definition of ‘natural’ wine. However, the most common interpretation is wine that’s been made on a small scale, by winemakers who leave the grapes to grow naturally with very little intervention – such as spraying pesticides. Many types of wine can fall under the ‘natural’ umbrella, including organic and biodynamic wine. They’re generally viewed as an environmentally friendly option and by avoiding adding preservatives like sulphites and unnecessary chemicals, winemakers are making wines that are aligned to their consumers values.
