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A Friendly Guide To Natural Wines, Just In Time For Picnic Season

We know we love it, but what is it? - by Pema Bakshi
  • 25 Sep 2020
A Friendly Guide To Natural Wines, Just In Time For Picnic Season

As our fashion and beauty purchases shift towards conscious consumption and sustainable manufacturing, so too do our wines. 

If you've been able to eat, drink or pre-game anywhere without coming across a bottle of 'natural' wine, then we can't relate, as what seemed to once be a trend, has taken over our bar carts. 

But while we indulge in the chic minimalist bottles and outfit-matching shades of vino, we can't say for sure that we even know what it is we're drinking, and if it's actually as good for us as it tastes. 

So, to quell our queries, we've tapped expert Mike Bennie from Sydney's P & V Merchants for the squiz on 'natural' drops.

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That time in New Zealand we took a bottle of @penfolds on a hike.

So, what is 'natural wine'?

Well, it sounds self-explanatory but it's actually a rather heated topic. Many wine connoisseurs prefer the term 'low-intervention' or 'naked' wines as technically most wines are natural (they are just grapes, after all). But when we say natural, what we mean are the wines that are farmed organically and made with minimal intervention, with no preservatives or additives.

But what Bennie tells us is that organic and biodynamic does not always equal natural, since some wineries still use additives, yeasts, and other forms of intervention with organic/biodynamic fruit.

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june into july, little life moments 🤍 orange wine, olives, oysters, reading, plants, flowers

What makes them so special?

According to Bennie, it was only a matter of time before the conscious consumer movement reached our glasses, but he believes natural wines have an organic appeal because they're "full of personality, drinkable, delicious and diverse". 

And if you ask us, we love that they err on the lighter side of vinos, making them extremely drinkable (dangerously so), and perfect for the warmer months. 

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Ok, but what is a pét nat? 

Pét-nat, short for Pétillant Naturel, is a type of sparkling wine that may have piqued your interest lately. However, despite the recent buzz, it actually consists of some very traditional wine-making methods. 

One thing to note about this bubbly variety is that they can sometimes... explode. Meaning they just fizz the same way a shaken can of seltzer would.

But it's not about how you store it. To put it simply, Bennie explains that "A by-product of the fermentation is carbon dioxide, which is trapped in the bottle, creating bubbles in the wines. Due to not always being fully accurate about how much sugar is left in the fermenting wine, the yeast can consume a bit more sugar and create extra pressure which causes pét-nats to gush. Open over your glasses and no issues!" he says. 

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He made us a bench 🧡 (temporary cushions until the actual ones come)

Where can I get my hands on some?

The best part about drinking trends is that it's usually not long before they hit mainstream restaurants, and if your local doesn't have any, then check out any of these delivery services that will keep you well-stocked on the natural drops. 

P & V Merchants, Sydney

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Do you like learning stuff? Do you like tasting/drinking stuff to learn? Well then, let us take a few hours of your life to do this... Our master class programs are up and running again, they are selling out very fast, but we are about to launch and release a new set of master classes for the coming four to six weeks. These wines pictured here, look real good, taste better, and are from the orange wine master class running this evening with @mikebennie101 . Wow. Orange wines? What the?! Want to know more? Well then come and learn and Taste/Drink. Yes! Hit up our events page on web or sign up to newsletter via web for updates.

Drnks, Sydney and Melbourne

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𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙜𝙚𝙩, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚.⁣ ⁣ 💘

Sometimes Always, Adelaide (same day), ships country-wide

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Lo-fi Mixed Selection * A pack that includes something for everyone, in every style, from the greatest hits of lo-fi and natural producers on the site. With a white, an orange and an assortment of reds, you'll be well equipped for whatever your mood brings. Many of these wines sell out quickly or are hard to find, so grab them all in the same place while you still can!⁠ ⁠*⁠ Shop Mixed Packs now at sometimesalways.com.au Free shipping on all orders, Australia-wide ⁠

Notwasted, Sydney (same day), ships country-wide

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Drink well this weekend courtesy of our new wines online now. 🌈 Same day delivery for orders placed until 6pm tonight within 10km of Sydney's CBD 🚗💨

Wise Child Wine Store, Perth

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Sunday summer inspo..

Ok. Wines, Brisbane, ships country-wide

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Seeing red pack 🍷 📦 If you received our newsletter the other day you'll know why we called it this. But there's a new pack up on the website, it's all reds on the lighter end of the spectrum, all new releases and all super tasty, get amongst it 👌🏽 Delivering next day on the GC and Tweed until Thursday. Then it's same day delivery Friday and Saturday. Brisbane we are coming up this FRIDAY so get your orders in by then. Rest of Aus, always shipping 🚚

Different Drop, Sydney (next day), ships country-wide

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Jo Perry at Dormilona in Margaret River has got her Pet Nat game on point! Insanely, her newly released Pet Nat series were issued on allocation (how wild is Australian wine getting these days?!). There are three frisky new fizzers for you to explore, made from Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo & Grenache. These are going to fly. If you want some, go get them ASAP at the link in our bio!! @dormilonawines #dormilona #margaretriver #differentdrop #ilovewine #winetime #winestagram #wineoclock #winephotography #welovewine #drinksmall #wine #vin #vino #winesofinstagram #alpinevalleys #vineyard #winemaker #smallbatch #drinksmall #winelabel #drinkdifferent #handmade #handcrafted #independentwine #wineoclock #aussiewine #australianwine #naturalwine #petnat

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