FAQ

How should I store my wine?

Many Natural Wines are to be enjoyed young. There are many exceptions to this however and it varies from bottle to bottle. Ideally, you'll want to keep these wines at cellar temperature, on their side (if the bottle has a cork), and most importantly, out of direct sunlight. For more specific details regarding wine in your order please reach out to us directly.

______________________________________________

To Chill or not to Chill?

While it again varies from bottle to bottle, most of the wines you will find in our shoppe are to be served chilled - sometimes including some of those full skin contact reds! If you are unsure or need more help shoot us an e-mail and we can get things dialed in for you.

______________________________________________

Should I let my wine breathe?

We hate to sound like a broken record, but this also varies dramatically from bottle to bottle. Some wines will be great to enjoy straight after opening while others need some time to breathe. In the most dramatic instances, we've had wines peak even the next day. Reach out directly if you need help regarding a specific selection.

______________________________________________

What is Orange Wine?

Simply put, orange wine is a white wine that is made like a red wine. Instead of crushing and then discarding the crushed grape skins, as is done in white winemaking, orange wines get their distinctive color from the amount of time the juice spends fermenting with the skins. Depending on duration of contact time the resulting wine will display an array of color, from a lighter yellow hue to a more vibrant and deep orange.

The longer the skin contact, the more red wine characteristics you're going to see from these white wine grapes. Longer contact will yield more tannin, more intense flavors, all while maintaining the acidity and the freshness of your white wine grapes!

______________________________________________

What is all of that stuff at the bottom of the bottle?

Our selections typically come unfined and unfiltered. You may notice that they have a cloudy appearance along with sediment at the bottom of the bottle. This sediment is actually yeast cells and grape solids which are crystalized. They are completely harmless. We recommend gently tipping the bottom upside down and lightly swirling it to jar the sediment loose throughout the bottle then right side up thus allowing letting the larger crystals fall to bottom.

______________________________________________

When will my wine ship?

Please check out our shipping policy for more information regarding shipping.

______________________________________________

What is Organic and Biodynamic Farming?

Organic farming excludes the use of artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides. The legal definition of organic wine varies from country to country - the primary difference relates to the use (or non use) of preservatives during the wine making process.

The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association defines Biodynamic Farming as “a spiritual-ethical-ecological approach to agriculture, gardens, food production and nutrition. Biodynamic farming is more about the entire lifeblood of a vineyard - other plants, insects, animals - not just the grapes.

______________________________________________

Whats with all the colors?

There are various different winemaking methods which are used that can incite various colors from the grapes. There are red and white blends, light skin contact, heavy skin contact, grey varieties which all can elicit different colors. intervention from manufacturers adding coloring agents and additives, you're getting the true color of the grape - which can become more complex when you have a blend. The color of wine mainly comes from the color of the drupe of that grape.

Since pigments are in the center of the grape drupe, not in the juice, the color will depend a lot on how long the must (the crushed grapes) is in contact with the skins - a process called "maceration".  Depending on how long the skin is in contact with the juice, you can have colors ranging from a glowing yellow, deep orange all the way to your standard red.

______________________________________________

What is a "Pét-Nat"?

Pét-Nat short for "Pétillan Naturel", is a phrase that refers to the old fashioned way for "Méthode Ancestrale" (French for Ancestral Method) which is simply sparkling wine. Bottling the wine prior to fermentation completion produces carbon dioxide from the natural sugars in the grapes. This natural process gives the wine a fizzy and refreshing taste. Perfect for a hot summers day but acceptable for any occasion.

______________________________________________

 

Should I get (insert favorite conventional wine grape here)?

We encourage newcomers to Natural Wine to shake their tendencies to grab their "go-to" grape variety. The wines we have curated are young and living wines that will feature aromas and flavor profiles that you typically don't get with conventional wines. You will get pronounced fruit flavors that are fresh and juicy. Using minimal intervention, these wines truly represent the land the fruit was grown in. Fun and  fruit forward, these wines harbor their own characteristics and personality

______________________________________________

What is "Brutal Wine"?

The Brutal wine corporation is a loose conglomeration of natural winemakers. Typically, a Brutal Wine is an experiment for the winemaker. The winemaker must make a wine that is brutal in some way - in other words it must be extreme. The wine must only be made in one barrel, and must have no sulfur added. Generally all the labels for Brutal wines must look the same, although a few deviations have been allowed in more recent cuvées. These labels are for people that are seeking a wine that is outside the norm.

______________________________________________

What is Piquette?

Piquette, initially drunk by farmhands and workers, is an old world wine like beverage that is made by adding water to already pressed grape pomace. This process upcycles the typically discarded grape skins. The end result is a gluggable, easy drinking and refreshing beverage.

______________________________________________

What is Fruit Wine?

Who said wine has to be made with grapes!? Not us thats for sure. Fruit Wine is simply wine made with other fruits! The ever increasingly popular category in the space is some of our most memorable drinking experiences we've had.