Frequently Asked Questions

What is natural wine?

Natural wine is made from organically or biodynamically grown grapes with minimal intervention in both the vineyard and winery, often using native yeasts and very little or no additives.

What is minimal intervention wine?

Minimal intervention wine refers to wines made with as little human or chemical intervention as possible, often avoiding fining, filtration and heavy use of sulphur to let the grapes and terroir express themselves more naturally.

What makes a wine “natural” or “low intervention”?

These wines are typically made from organically or biodynamically farmed grapes, fermented with wild yeasts, and produced with minimal additives or processing in the winery.

Do natural wines taste different?

Yes. Natural wines can be more textured, aromatic and sometimes slightly cloudy or funky, with flavour profiles that vary more from bottle to bottle compared to conventional wines.

Are natural wines always organic?

Most natural wines are made from organic or biodynamic grapes, but “natural” is not a strictly regulated term, so practices can vary between producers.

Why do people drink natural wine?

People choose natural wine for its perceived purity, lower intervention winemaking style, and more expressive, terroir-driven flavours.

What does “low intervention” mean in winemaking?

Low intervention means the winemaker avoids heavy manipulation, allowing fermentation and ageing to happen more naturally with minimal additives and processing.

Is natural wine vegan?

Many natural wines are vegan because they avoid animal-based fining agents, but it depends on the producer, so certification or confirmation is still important.

What is special about natural wine in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has a strong natural wine scene, with specialist bars, restaurants and shops focusing on organic, biodynamic and minimal intervention wines from small producers.

What food pairs well with natural wine?

Natural wines pair well with seasonal, fresh and lightly prepared dishes, as well as cheese, charcuterie and small plates that match their expressive and varied styles.