What is natural wine?
Quick answer
Natural wine is made with minimal intervention: organically or biodynamically grown grapes, fermentation with wild yeast only, no additives, and zero or very low added sulfites — typically under 30 mg/L.
Detailed answer
Natural wine represents the "less is more" philosophy taken to its logical conclusion in winemaking. Although it lacked formal regulation for years, France introduced the "Vin Méthode Nature" label in 2020, setting clear criteria: certified organic grapes, hand-harvesting, indigenous yeast only, no oenological additives whatsoever, and a maximum of 30 mg/L total added sulfites.
To put this in perspective, conventional winemaking allows over 50 different additives — selected yeasts, enzymes, powdered tannins, oak chips, acid adjusters, stabilisers. Natural wine strips all that away, leaving just grape juice and the wild yeasts present on the skins and in the cellar.
The result can be thrilling: natural wines often show unique aromatic profiles you will not find in conventional bottles. They can also be surprising — a slight fizz from residual fermentation, a hazy appearance from skipping filtration, or funky aromas that some describe as "alive." Bottle variation is higher than with conventional wines, which is part of the charm for fans and a source of frustration for sceptics.
The natural wine movement exploded in the 2010s, starting in Parisian wine bars and spreading across Europe. Brussels and Antwerp now have thriving natural wine scenes. Key producing regions include the Loire Valley, Beaujolais, Jura, Languedoc and Auvergne, though winemakers worldwide are embracing the approach.
If you are new to natural wine, start with approachable styles — a Gamay from Beaujolais or a Cabernet Franc from the Loire — before diving into more adventurous bottles. On expertvin.be, our tasting notes flag natural wines so you know what to expect.