Is Natural Wine Worth It? An Honest Beginner's Guide
Natural & Organic Wine · For beginners
Natural wine is worth it if you value wine that tastes of a place and a farmer rather than a recipe, and if you're open to styles that are fresher, lighter and sometimes a little wild. It isn't automatically "better" or healthier, and a badly made natural wine is still a bad wine. Bought from someone who tastes for faults, though, it's one of the most exciting corners of wine right now.
We sell a lot of natural wine and we also sell plenty of classic wine, so here is the balanced version.
Easy natural wines for a first try
What do you actually get with natural wine?
- Grapes farmed without synthetic chemicals. Natural wine starts with organic or biodynamic farming, which is better for vineyard soils and the people who work them.
- Nothing added to "fix" the wine. No added sugar, acid, oak flavorings, color or commercial yeast.
- Freshness and energy. Most natural wines are lower in alcohol, higher in acidity and lighter on oak than mass-market wine.
- Small producers. Your money goes to a family farm, not a beverage conglomerate.
For the full definition and how it compares with organic and biodynamic wine, see Natural Wine: The Complete Guide.
What are the downsides?
Natural wine is less predictable. Without filtration, commercial yeast and sulfites, a bottle can be cloudy, slightly fizzy or funky, and occasionally it's genuinely flawed. It is also more fragile: heat damages it quickly. Buying from a shop that tastes its wines, stores them cool and ships with care solves most of these problems. Every bottle we sell is sommelier-selected, and if one isn't right, we'll refund it.
Is natural wine healthier?
It's still alcohol, so no health halo. The real differences are fewer additives and usually fewer added sulfites. Some people find natural wines easier on them, but good evidence is thin. We cover the details in what's actually true about sulfites and wines less likely to give you a headache.
Is natural wine more expensive?
A little, sometimes. Organic farming and hand harvesting cost more, and small production means no economies of scale. But most of our natural wines sit between $20 and $35, the same range as good conventional wine from small producers. You won't find $8 natural wine, because $8 wine can't be made this way.
What should a beginner try first?
- A clean white you already understand: natural Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc or a crisp Italian white.
- A light red, slightly chilled: Gamay, Cinsault or a juicy blend. See chillable red wines.
- A pét-nat: fun, low-stakes bubbles. See pét-nat explained.
- A gentle orange wine: short skin contact, more like a textured white than a wild one. Read what orange wine tastes like.
- A benchmark producer: once you're hooked, try an icon such as Frank Cornelissen's Susucaru.
How do you tell good natural wine from bad?
Good natural wine smells of fruit, flowers and earth, and gets more interesting as it sits in the glass. Some reduction (a struck-match smell) or yeasty funk that fades after a swirl is fine. Watch for a strong vinegar or nail-polish smell, and for "mousiness": a stale, cereal-like aftertaste that appears only after you swallow. If a wine gets worse in the glass instead of better, it's flawed. Let us know and we'll make it right.
So, is it worth it?
If you like trying new things and caring where your food comes from, yes. Start with a few clean, approachable bottles, drink them cool and fresh, and let your taste lead from there. If you want a guided start, the Harvest Wine Club sends a mix of natural and classic bottles on the schedule you choose.
FAQ
Is natural wine better than regular wine?
Not automatically. Natural wine is made with fewer inputs and often tastes fresher and more distinctive, but quality depends on the producer. Buy from a shop that tastes for faults.
Why is natural wine so popular?
Drinkers like its freshness, lower alcohol and connection to small farmers, and many sommeliers champion it on restaurant lists.
Does natural wine taste different?
Often. Expect brighter acidity, lighter body and sometimes cloudiness, light fizz or earthy, yeasty notes. Many are also clean and classic.
What is a good natural wine for beginners?
Start with a clean white such as natural Chenin Blanc, a chillable light red such as Gamay, or a pét-nat. Save funkier styles for later.
Start clean, drink it cool, and let your palate lead. Shop natural wine →
Want bottles like these picked for you every month? Join the Harvest Wine Club →
Header photo: Jordon Kaplan on Unsplash
Natural & Organic Wine
