Try These Wines!
Just some low-intervention wine inspiration for you.
Whether you’re in a wine rut or just need some ideas for new wines to try, these five natural wines are worth seeking out! They’re some of the most interesting natural wines I’ve found in the U.S. lately.
Dras Loup by Bojo do Luar is the perfect chill-able, light red to kick off spring! It is made by a small producer in the Vino Verdhe region of Portugal— one of my favorite wine regions!
This wine is 100% Alvarelhão, a red wine grape grown in Northern Portugal. Little is known about this grape’s ancestry, but it is believed to be native to this region of Portugal. This wine is high acid, light body, low tannins; it tastes like cherries, strawberries, raspberries, Meyer lemon. Basically it’s a grown-up strawberry lemonade. Pair Dras Loup with a pasta primavera or a big salad topped with grilled chicken, and you’re golden.
La Folle Nore d'Ambat by Domaine le Roc is a fascinating red wine. It is 100% Négrette, a grape native to the area of this winery in South West France. As the name of the grape might suggest, this wine is heavy bodied and tastes of all the dark fruits: black plums, blueberries, black cherries, lavender, campfire, and leather all mingle on the palate. Though it is a heavy bodied, high tannic wine it also has high acidity and is surprisingly drinkable.
La Folle Nore d’Ambat pairs well with steak or burgers or a heavy classic novel on a cool spring evening. I found this one to be fascinating! It’s a great choice if you want to try a new wine that makes you think.
I love Mexican wines, and Bichi’s Rosa is a prime example of why. This is the most striking rosé I’ve had in a while! It tastes like grapefruit and stone fruits, with floral notes and a bit of effervescence. Rosa is one of those wines that tastes exactly like where it’s from— grown in Baja, near the Pacific Ocean, it tastes like summer and sunshine. It’s dry, high acid, and light body… so refreshing!
Made of a mystery blend that potentially includes Italian and native Mexican grape varieties, this wine holds up well to food. Pair it with fish tacos or whatever you’re grilling, and enjoy it outside!
Orsola Gavi by Castello di Tassarolo is the most interesting white wine I’ve stumbled upon in a U.S. natural wine shop lately. To be honest, I’m a bit obessed with this wine; I went straight back to the store and bought a second bottle after I tasted it. Cortese di Gavi is one of my favorite white grapes, and this is a beautiful example. This wine tastes like cherry blossoms, apples, almonds, pears, and mineral. It’s elegant, and each sip takes you on a lingering flavor journey.
Serve the Orsola Gavi chilled alongside a light spring pasta or a cheese board. It holds up well to food, and it’s absolutely perfect for sipping on a porch on a warm spring evening!
This Prieto Picudo by winemaker Pedro González Mittelbrunn is dynamic and delicious. Prieto Picudo is a native Spanish grape from the Castilla y Leon region. This grape almost went extinct as it is difficult to farm: it likes to grow flat on the ground which makes harvesting and pruning it very tricky. I just love that Pedro González Mittelbrunn is honoring this native grape and doing so naturally.
Prieto Picudo tastes like dark fruits, red berries, black tea, herbs, and a hint of smoke. This is the perfect table wine to go along with dinner; it is full bodied and tannic yet velvety smooth and high acid. It’s a cozy wine: look for one of those rainy spring days to open this one.
All of these winemakers are doing incredible work, honoring native grape varieties, bringing new low-intervention ideas to their regions, and producing delicious wines. I encourage you to read more about these winemakers if you’re curious. They all have unique stories.
Cheers!