We are very pleased that Simon Woolf, an acknowledged natural wine expert (and Circle member), will be presenting our next Let’s talk… session.

Over to Simon….
‘The term ‘natural wine’ continues to be contentious. Its true meaning is endlessly debated, and poorly understood by regular wine lovers. It has created ghettos, ranging traditionalists against the more radical factions of the natural wine world. Some maintain that its popularity just keeps growing, while others insist its day has been and gone.

I’ll start by answering two burning questions: What exactly does this term mean? Or what should it mean? When and where did it start, and why has it created so much animosity amongst the trade?

How does natural wine overlap with existing certification schemes such as organics and biodynamics? What attempts have there been at certifying or classifying it? We’ll talk about the current state of play, and the detailed definitions that have been proposed by various organisations.

Why do natural wines taste, smell and look different? What are the differences in production and philosophy compared to conventional wine? Can we define what is good or bad natural wine? Is a fault always a fault, or is beauty in the eye of the beholder?

We will of course tackle the thorny issue of sulphite usage, and why it has become such a hot potato.

A few of the movement’s pioneering winemakers will also be discussed, together with some recommendations for tracking down and enjoying great natural wines from different parts of the wine-producing world.

I’ll reflect on whether the term is still useful, and what the natural wine movement has contributed to the wider world of wine. Where do we go now? Should we abandon this phrase altogether? What can we take away that’s valuable, and what should we jettison?’

To join this Zoom seminar, please register now or at any time before 6pm GMT on March 24th.

The session, including Questions and Answers, will last for approximately one hour.

To register, follow the link below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LhXYO6MPRnudcZkNbTq5rQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. We look forward to seeing you then.

If you can’t attend the live session, there will be a recording available to watch afterwards on the Circle’s YouTube channel (links to this and earlier sessions are in the members’ area of the website).

Helen Savage, CWW online events organiser