What is the big deal about Natural Wine? By saying 'natural wine', I don't interpret that there is something 'un'-natural about those that don't claim to be. My take is that the producer is describing a process, a philosophy, in short, a practice of winemaking in which nothing is added to the grapes, first in the vineyard and second in the winemaking and third in the bottling, which might affect that process.
I do not perceive that they are saying their wine is 'better' or that their philosophy is 'better'.
There are consumers who might say the the 'natural' process is 'better' and that their practice is to eschew those wines which do not promote themselves as 'natural'.
I personally do not want to drink boring wines. The marketplace is full of these wines: they are well made, have good fruit, pleasant flavors and taste good. The consumer seems happy with them. I want to say 'average' consumer but find that to be a knock against a category of consumer. I rail against boring wine: if an 'average' consumer is happy with it, does that mean that I am denigrating their taste?
Just because I rail against fast food (and I admit to particular cravings from time to time, which I rarely give in to, but have on occasion) does not mean that I rail against those that do eat it: it merely means I do not like to eat fast food.
I rather believe that we need to become more aware of what goes on around us and to care. If we care what happens around us, perhaps we might do something about it: we might litter less, be more concerned about corruption, care more about our environment and become more proactive on issues that are important to each of us. I don't seek to establish what is or is not important: I have my own issues, but don't seek to make my issues of concern someone elses'.
I, to return to my topic, want to drink wine that generally transcends the moment, that makes me stop and look at the glass and think about what it is I have just imbibed. But I understand that not everyone lives to eat and drink; more people eat to live, or seek to eat at all.
I find that 'natural wines more often than not, give me that 'eureka' moment.
I want people to care more, for in caring, we move to, I hope, concern for the greater good. Perhaps this is naive, but if we can change how people eat and drink, we can slowly begin to change how people look at the world around them. If we can get people to change that, perhaps we are on the road to an effort for transcendent good.
And that just might help humanity.
