The Next Big Thing: Natural Wine Bars

The future of wine is connection — between winemakers and the land, winemakers and consumers. The future of wine is freedom — freedom from brand restrictions and expensive facilities; the freedom to experience new grapes and wine styles. The future of wine depends on the return of the artisanal craft of winemaking and the unique experience of sharing your wine experiences with friends. The future of wine is all this and more...

The “natural wine” movement has been gaining popularity as a healthy, environmentally friendly alternative to mass-produced wines.

The process begins with organic grapes harvested by hand. During vinification, winemakers avoid interfering with the wine’s natural processes by using additives like tannins or sugar. A source of contention in the natural wine business is whether it is acceptable to use small amounts of commercial sulfites during production and bottling. Modern techniques like reverse osmosis and micro-oxygenation are snubbed as they affect the texture, flavour and alcohol levels of wine.

Advocates of natural wine enjoy how it allows the quality of the vines and soil to dominate the palate. Wine bars showcasing the best in natural wine are set to change the way consumers experience wine.

San Francisco’s Terroir Natural Wine Merchant & Bar opened in 2007 and has grown exponentially since then, going from 70 bottles for sale to 700, all of which are natural wines. Racines, on Paris’ Passage des Panoramas, quickly became a sensation after opening in 2007. Both wine bars are renowned for their passion and dedication to natural wine.

The trend is coming to Canada, with natural wine bars set to open in Montreal and Vancouver, so don’t be surprised if you soon see a natural wine bar tucked into a trendy nook in the fashionable part of your hometown.

Wine to Try

Lucky Bug 2004 Sémillon Sauvignon Muscadelle, Bordeaux, France AB $20