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THE COMPLETE GUIDE to Natural Wine

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THE COMPLETE GUIDE to Natural Wine ROOT + REVEL THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO Natural Wine INCLUDES: + A LIST OF The Best Natural Wines Under $25 + a Wine Labeling Laws CHEAT SHEET + a How To Know if a Wine Is Natural Checklist The Best Natural Wine Brands Under $25 Sokol Blosser 2014 Willamette Valley Pinot Gris, $19 Certified Organic, LEED Certified and Certified B Corp Brooks Wines, select Riesling + Pinot Noir, $20-$24 Certified Biodynamic Preston Farm & Winery 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $22 Certified Biodynamic Honoro Vera Organic Monastrell, $8 Certified Biodynamic and Organic by both the EU and U.S. Art. Terra Organic, $15 Certified Organic Monte Bernardi 2014 Retromarcia Chianti Classico, $20 Certified Organic Badger Mountain NSA Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, $12-$16 Certified Organic Domaine des Bacchantes 2014 Côtes du Rhône Rouge, $14 Part of a natural wine co-op that uses no external yeasts, no filtering, no fining and no enzymes. Annona Multepulciano d’Abruzzo ‘Modo Antico, $24 Made with native yeast, and without fining, filtration, or added sulfites Barmés Buecher 2014 Riesling Tradition, $20 Certified Biodynamic Pacific Rim Organic Riesling, $15 Certified Biodynamic and Organic © 2016 Root + Revel The Best Natural Wine Brands Under $25 Golan Heights Winery 2014 Yarden Chardonnay Odem, $22 Certified Organic; Native yeast is the only additive. Mahi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, $20 Certified Organic; Indigenous Yeast, Vegan Trader Joe's Noble Fin Pinot Noir, $4.99 Made with organic grapes; additives unknown Grgich Hills Estate Fume Blanc, $31 Certified Organic, Solar Powered, Wild Yeast (technically over $25 but worth it!) Snoqualmie Vineyards ECO Wines Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Cabernt Sauvignon, $12-$13 Certified Organic Whole Foods carries a large selection of organic and biodynamic wines under $25, including: Squadra Bianco Bonterra Chardonnay Frey Biodynamic Zinfandel Our Daily Cab Organic Cabernet Sauvignon Ontañón Rioja Le Petit du Château de Lagarde Organic Bordeaux Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso © 2016 Root + Revel A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING Wine Labeling Laws © 2016 ROOT + REVEL Certified Organic Cannot use synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers, cannot contain any sulfites in the U.S., but can in Europe and Canada. Can still contain additives, not guaranteed Certified Biodynamic vegan. This certification from Demeter takes Organic a step further, using moon cycles and holistic growing practices. No chemicals or additives (like commercial yeast) are allowed, but biodynamic wine can contain sulfites. "Made with organic grapes" Because the U.S. does not allow sulfites in Certified Organic wines, if you see this on the label it means the grapes are organic, but the wine contains sulfites, and perhaps other additives. SIP Certified Sustainability in Practice (SIP) is a rigorous certification ensuring that both natural and human resources are protected during winemaking. SIP Prohibits the use of high risk pesticides, and adds water and energy conservation to the requirements. Is This Wine Natural? 1. LOOK FOR THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATIONS While it's not foolproof, certified biodynamic/organic suggest a lower dependence on chemical enhancements. However, many growers who follow organic/biodynamic farming practices do not get certified due to the steep price of certification. Likewise, even organic wines can contain additives. 2. KNOW YOUR IMPORTERS When you find a great organic wine, see who the importer is on the back label. Great importers often have an aesthetic that runs through their whole portfolio, like an indie record label. Here are a few trusted importers for organic/natural wines: Selection Massale, Savio Soares, Critical Mass, Louis/Dressner, Zev Rovine, Jenny & François, Goatboy, Dionysi Grevenitis Selections, Rosenthal Wine Merchant, and Vom Boden. 3. KNOW YOUR WINE SHOP While you may not have a direct relationship with the winemaker, a good wine shop will. Establish relationships with the clerks, as they're often very passionate, informed, and can be great guides. 4. PAY ATTENTION TO TASTE Typically, wineries that need to use additives are going for that oaky, rich mouthfeel or jammy quality that appeals to a broad consumer base, using the additives to conceal harsh characteristics. Natural wines provide more earthiness and freshness, and are often described as lighter bodied or precise with unique character and rusticity. They're usually more interesting and surprising, and express nuance in varietals and terroir that could otherwise be masked by additives or poor growing practices. 5. PAY ATTENTION TO PRICE Just like small-scale, organic agriculture is more expensive, the same goes for wine. Unfortunately, if a wine is $10 or less on a retail shelf, it’s most likely doctored in some way. The majority of natural wines start around $15-$20, but the difference in quality can be astounding for just a little bit more money. 6. ASK THE WINEMAKER For the complete story, go directly to the source. Visit the winery, or at the very least shoot them and email to ask about their growing practices. Ask if they use any additives, or if they'd share an ingredients list. Ask about the history of their winery--those with multi-generational histories often have a higher regard for natural processes. Likewise, look at where the winery is located. Cool climate wines generally have more acidity and are in lesser need of chemical enhancements. Sources: Joe Robitaille, sommelier at il Buco in NYC; Nicolas Quinones, sommelier at Atlanta's Cooks & Soldiers; Nick Korbee, Executive Chef of Egg Shop in NYC. © 2016 Root + Revel.
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