Natural Wine and the Rise of the “Clean Wine” Movement

In recent years, the wine industry has witnessed the rise of the “clean wine” movement, a growing trend that prioritizes minimal intervention, organic farming, and transparency in production. While the term “clean wine” can often be a bit vague, it’s generally associated with wines that are free from synthetic chemicals, additives, and unnecessary processing. This shift aligns closely with the natural wine movement, a category that already champions sustainable farming and winemaking practices. Let’s explore how natural wine and the clean wine movement are intertwined and how they’re changing the way we think about wine.

What is Clean Wine?

The concept of “clean wine” refers to wines made with minimal additives, chemicals, and processes that alter the natural expression of the wine. In practice, this usually means wines that are:

• Organic or biodynamic: Clean wines are often sourced from vineyards that adhere to organic or biodynamic farming practices, avoiding synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
• Additive-free: A key aspect of clean wine is its minimal use of additives. Many conventional wines contain added sulphites, preservatives, and fining agents that can affect the taste, texture, and health benefits of the wine. Clean wines avoid these to maintain purity.
• Low-intervention winemaking: Clean wines are typically produced with a hands-off approach to fermentation and aging. Natural yeast, spontaneous fermentation, and low-tech winemaking processes are common practices in this category, allowing the wine to express its true character from the grape to the bottle.

The Natural Wine Connection

At the heart of both natural wine and the clean wine movement is the idea of transparency and sustainability. Natural wine is made with minimal intervention, using only organic or biodynamic grapes and allowing the wine to develop with little interference. This ethos resonates deeply with the clean wine movement, which shares a similar philosophy of purity, authenticity, and environmental consciousness.

• Farming Practices: Just like natural wines, clean wines are often the result of sustainable farming practices. Organic farming avoids harmful chemicals and pesticides that can harm the land and the environment, aligning with the broader ethos of the clean wine movement, which seeks to minimize the ecological impact of winemaking.
• No Additives: One of the defining features of natural wine is its lack of added chemicals, such as artificial colorants, flavourings, and preservatives, which is in perfect harmony with the clean wine philosophy. Many traditional wines use sulphites as preservatives, but natural wines often limit or omit their use entirely, creating a cleaner, purer product.

The Growing Demand for Clean Wine

Consumers today are more informed and conscious about what they put into their bodies. With a greater focus on health, wellness, and environmental impact, many wine drinkers are now seeking out wines that align with their values. The clean wine movement is seen as a natural extension of the broader trend toward clean eating and sustainable living. As a result, more consumers are gravitating toward wines that promise to be healthier, free from harmful chemicals, and produced with eco-friendly methods.

• Health-conscious consumers: Many people are turning to clean wines for their potential health benefits, as they are often lower in sulphites and free from the chemical additives that are found in many conventional wines. Some people with sensitivities to sulphites or additives report fewer headaches or allergic reactions when consuming natural wines.
• Sustainability and ethics: Wine lovers who prioritize sustainability are drawn to the natural wine and clean wine movements because they typically support small-scale, family-owned wineries that focus on regenerative farming practices and biodiversity. This provides a direct link between consumer choice and environmental responsibility.

The Role of Transparency

Transparency is one of the cornerstones of the clean wine movement. Today’s consumers want to know exactly what’s in their wine, where it comes from, and how it’s made. With natural wines, this is often easier to achieve, as many producers openly share their winemaking techniques, farming practices, and ingredients. By contrast, many conventional wines are more secretive about their production processes, and some even use additives that are not required to be listed on the label.

• Labelling: Natural wine producers are often upfront about their farming methods and winemaking processes. While the “clean wine” label is not yet universally defined or regulated, many wineries in the natural wine space voluntarily provide detailed information about their practices, helping consumers make informed decisions.
• Direct connection with producers: Clean and natural wine movements are often driven by a desire to foster closer relationships between consumers and winemakers. Many natural wine shops and subscription services, like Vin de Soif, provide access to smaller producers and facilitate connections that allow customers to learn more about where their wine comes from and how it’s produced.

The Impact on the Wine Industry

The rise of natural and clean wines is forcing conventional wine producers to re-evaluate their practices. As demand for sustainable, additive-free wines grows, more winemakers are embracing organic and biodynamic farming methods. Some are even eliminating or reducing the use of sulphites, which were once considered essential for preservation.

• Shifting industry standards: Large-scale wineries are starting to adapt to the clean wine trend, with some creating lines of organic wines and shifting toward greener practices. However, many natural wine enthusiasts argue that true natural wines must remain free of additives and intervention, which means that large-scale wineries might find it harder to achieve the level of purity found in smaller, artisan producers.
• Innovation and creativity: Natural and clean winemaking is pushing the boundaries of traditional practices. Winemakers are experimenting with new techniques, grapes, and fermentation methods, which is driving innovation in the industry and expanding the variety of wines available.

Why You Should Choose Natural and Clean Wines

If you’re considering making the switch to natural or clean wines, there are plenty of reasons to do so:

• Better for your health: With fewer additives and chemicals, clean and natural wines may be easier on your body, reducing the risk of allergic reactions or sensitivities.
• Environmentally friendly: Natural winemakers often prioritize eco-friendly practices, such as regenerative farming, which helps protect the land and biodiversity.
• Authentic taste: Natural wines often offer a purer expression of the grape and terroir, allowing for unique, interesting, and complex flavours that might be lost in mass-produced wines.

Conclusion

The rise of natural wine and the clean wine movement is more than just a passing trend—it’s a shift toward more sustainable, transparent, and authentic winemaking practices. As consumers become more health-conscious and environmentally aware, the demand for clean and natural wines is expected to grow. Whether you’re an avid wine enthusiast or someone just beginning to explore the world of wine, choosing natural or clean wines is a great way to support sustainable practices and enjoy wines that are as pure and authentic as possible. Cheers to a cleaner, greener way of drinking!