Natural and Organic Wine: The Not So New Obsession

Natural wine has been around for ages. In France, Italy and other European countries, it's the norm. In the US, however, it’s considered the exception but becoming more popular.

When you think about natural or organic wine, it isn’t difficult to assume organic grapes are used in it's production. When you dig further, you find the production method equally as important as the grapes themselves. It isn’t enough to use organic grapes. What matters is how these grapes are treated that affect the quality of the wine. That factor alone differentiates between mass produced, predictable tasting wine and a distinct, pure and flavorful wine.

How To Identify Natural Wine

Natural wine is made:

• in small batches,
• by independent makers,
• on low-yielding vineyards,
• from handpicked, organically grown grapes,
• without added sugars or foreign yeasts,
• without adjustments for acidity,
• without micro-oxygenation or reverse-osmosis.

Pros And Cons of Natural Wine
As with any decision in life, there is always the need to weigh the good and the bad. In regards to natural wine, the pros most certainly outweigh the cons.

Pros: Natural wine is healthier for you, is less expensive, supports the environment through sustainable agriculture and allows you to support independent farmers and producers.

Cons: Natural wine comes with very careful handling, serving and storing instructions to avoid fast spoilage. Being produced in small batches makes them hard to find unlike mass produced wine. Natural wines lack consistency even with bottles made in the same year.

On your next trip, enjoy a glass of natural wine at these selected restaurants:

The Ten Bells, Lower East Side, NYC  http://www.thetenbells.typepad.com
The Tasting Kitchen, Venice Beach, CA http://www.thetastingkitchen.com
Diner, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC http://www.dinernyc.com
Fix St. James, Sydney, Australia http://www.fixstjames.com.au

End of a Summer Dream, Beginning of an Autumn Love

I was recently introduced to a great summer white wine, New Age. It actually looks like a bottle of vodka at first glance, but don't be fooled; New Age is a very light, crisp white wine. The aroma and taste both provide a burst of peach and floral accents to the senses. New Age comes from Argentina and has a zesty citrus taste. It is actually one of  Argentina's oldest and most popular wines, yet fairly new to the scene in the States.  This particular wine is unique because you can also enjoy it on the rocks with your choice of lemon or lime, as if it were a cocktail! Also, for a little twist to your wine needs, you may fancy trying New Age Rose, which pairs great with any fruit juice as a cocktail! I recommend cranberry or grape juice. Delish!  You can find New Age in any large grocery chain or liquor store, and it is actually reasonably priced around $10 a bottle.  New Age (white) pairs well with spicy dishes, while Red goes great with barbeque! This Argentinian wine is a perfect end to the summer!

In order to ease into the fall season, the perfect wine to please your palate is Sweet Red.  Sweet Red reminds me of a warm kiss on a cool autumn eve.  I actually have a glass in hand now as I write! It possesses a lovely cherry taste, but in my opinion is not too sweet.  It is velvety smooth going down, and evokes wonderful grape aromas.  It is produced right here in the USA, in California.  The Sutter Home brand is easy to find and very inexpensive.  Sweet Red pairs well with grilled meats, or is also a great everyday indulgence by itself.  You know what they say, a glass of red a day keeps the doctor away!

Worldly Wine: Spanish Flare

Welcome to the world of wine! As I traversed through various landscapes of the world I felt it my duty, as a self-proclaimed wine enthusiast, to indulge in the many taste bud tantalizing wines of the world.  Each country I visited had their own unique blend of goodness for me to wet my palate with.  The wine tour begins in Spain, the country which I spent the most time in, and enjoyed the most servings of wine.  Spain is famous for its perfectly aged and classic wines.

The first lesson of Spanish wine is the various age grades; Joven, which is made with no oak, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva, which is aged a minimum of sixty months and boasts a smooth oak finish. Among Spain's famous reds are my two favorites, Rioja and Ribera del Duero.  Rioja is a favorite to many Spaniards because it comes from the classic Rioja region, and boasts an aged taste, while remaining fresh and light. Some popular Rioja brands include Cune and Marques de Caceres.  Ribera del Duero comes from a Tempranillo wine variety, which is an early-ripening grape variety.  Ribera del Duero possesses a powerful, strong taste, yet maintains elegance; emitting aromas of black plums and cherries.  This wine pairs well with a hearty steak or beef. Popular labels of Ribera include 5 Jotas and Fiel. Although famous for its red wine, I discovered some delectable white wines as well.  One of my fanorites was Albarino, which is like an ocean breeze in your mouth, and pairs well with seafood and pasta dishes.  Also, you may be in the mood for adding  kick to your cooking with wine. Spain has some wonderful selections of Sherry fortified wine. Sherry can also be used as a great dessert wine.  There are two main types, fino- a lighter dry taste, and oloroso- a very rich and full taste. Either will add bursts full of flavor to any meal! Finally, if you are not in the mood to cook or drink wine, put yourself in a more festive mood with Spain's excellent version of champagne, Cava sparkling wine.  It is cheaper than french Champagne, but has more bang and bubbles!

If you happen to be visiting Spain, a couple famous regions for wineries are Rioja and Navarra, where you can visit old wineries, experience tastings, and smash your own grapes! Overseas travel may not be high on your list of priorities in today's backwards economy, so you can always make your way to the nearest spirits vendor and just ask to be directed to the Spanish wine aisle!  If ever presented with the opportunity to go to Spain, GO! It is a beautiful country and culture, and boasts some of the world's best wines.