Not to bring the party vibe down, but did you know the wine you're serving may have more than 60 different additives? Some of these can include, but are not limited to, egg whites, milk products, fish bladders, gelatin, and other squeamish animal parts.
And because it's approved by the FDA, winemakers don't even have to tell you on the bottle.
Like I said, I don't mean to bring the vibe down. But how many of you really know what is in your favorite glass of wine? Most people assume wine is just made from grapes, but the reality is that that's hardly the case. Unless, of course, you opt for a small-but-growing segment of wine that is committed to producing what we would consider to be pure wine.
That is natural wine.
"Natural wine is a bit of a broad categorization that means different things to different folk," said Billy Smith, sommelier at Michelin-starred Four Horsemen restaurant in Brooklyn, New York. "Some people think that natural wines must be organic. Others assume it should be biodynamic. And further, there are those that fall into the pure 'Double-Zero' camp: zero chemical additives, zero parts removed."
All are right in their own ways, he says. But he told Business Insider that the very baseline requirements for any natural wine is above-board agricultural practices, native-yeast fermentation, and no additives beyond minimal sulfuring.
When looking for natural wines, Michelle Feldman, cofounder of Good Clean Wine, starts with the label. "I look for wines with vintage year on the label," she said. "Natural wines will include the year it was harvested, grape variety, and the region it was grown on the label. Regular wines can't claim a vintage, region, nor grape because they've been made with a medley of unnatural ingredients."
There are symbols and letters on the label that also indicate a winemaker's commitment to the environment. Certifications to look for include: CCSW, SIP, PEAS, LIVE, DOC, DOCG, IGT, IGP, AOC, DO, IPR, DAC, QbA, VDP, VT, VR, Landwein, and QWPSR.
When it's time to sip, Feldman suggests pairing them with seasonal foods from the same region the wine is made from. For example, natural whites and rosés go perfectly with summer veggies and seafood. Natural reds are delectable with grilled foods and barbecue. Sparkling wines go with everything from fried chicken to donuts.
"Drink all-natural wines on the porch, in front of the fireplace on a winter solstice night, while eating pizza in bed, on the boat, on the beach, or at home in self-isolation," Feldman said.
Now, onto the good stuff. What are these wine experts reaching for when they want a clean, delicious glass of pure, natural wine? Here are their recommendations.