Natural Wine: Beyond the Funk and Hype
Natural Wine: Beyond the Funk and Hype
Ask for “natural wine” and you might get a raised eyebrow. Ask for a wine made without pesticides, synthetic chemicals, or unnecessary additives — and suddenly, people lean in, curious and engaged. Why the disconnect? Why is it that in a world where we embrace organic veg, sustainable coffee, and free-range eggs, wine made naturally can still feel like a step too far?
At Taste Union, we’ve seen it time and again. The term “natural wine” puts people on the defensive. It conjures up images of cloudy bottles, odd smells, and unpredictable flavours. Yet that couldn’t be further from what we champion. What we love — and what our producers create — is simply wine made honestly: from healthy grapes, grown sustainably, without chemical shortcuts.
The baggage of the term “natural wine”
Over the last decade, natural wine has become both a movement and a marketing term. Its roots are beautiful — small producers, working their land without pesticides or herbicides, fermenting without synthetic yeasts or unnecessary intervention. But as natural wine became trendy, something shifted. The focus moved from the soul of the wine to the label on the bottle.
In some circles, natural wine became synonymous with “funky,” “challenging,” or “wild.” And while there are certainly wines that fit that bill (and some people adore them!), there are countless more that are clean, fresh, and full of life — wines that simply let the grape and the land shine. Wines like the stunning bottles from Colline de l’hirondelle, whose makers have won praise from none other than Jancis Robinson. She celebrates their philosophy, their care, and their craft — without once needing to use the word "natural."
And yet, as seen in social comments like this one from Instagram — "Most natural wines I have tasted, taste unnatural." — there’s still scepticism. Another commenter even joked, "They didn't say they taste any good! 😂" These reactions capture the heart of the problem: perception hasn’t caught up with reality.
Why does wine lag behind?
We’re living through a time when people care deeply about how their food is grown. We seek out organic veg boxes, we look for sustainably sourced fish, we scrutinise the ethics of our coffee and chocolate. But wine? Somehow, wine has lagged behind. Maybe because we’ve been taught that wine is complicated. That we should leave it to the experts. That if it tastes good, we shouldn’t ask too many questions.
But asking questions is exactly what we should be doing. Who made this wine? How did they farm the land? What’s in the bottle beyond grapes? The answers don’t have to be wrapped up in jargon — and they certainly shouldn’t make you feel out of place in a wine shop.
Taste Union’s approach: no labels, just good wine
We’ve quietly stopped leading with the term “natural wine” when we talk to people. Instead, we say what we mean: wines made without pesticides or chemicals. Wines made by small producers who respect their land. Wines that taste like where they come from — vibrant, alive, delicious. And you know what? That resonates.
Because at the end of the day, no one sets out to drink a concept. We drink wine because we want to share a meal, mark a moment, or simply enjoy a glass at the end of the day. We don’t need to get hung up on labels. We just want wine that’s better — for us, for the planet, and for the future.
How to explore natural (but not funky) wine
Here’s our advice for anyone curious but cautious:
Start with approachable styles — cleaner skin-contact wines, soft reds, bright whites that show how natural winemaking can mean pure pleasure in the glass.
Ask about the producer, not just the label — who made it? How do they work the land? What’s their story?
Try a mixed case — it’s the best way to discover what you love. We curate ours to take you on a journey without leaving you in the funk.
A movement at a crossroads
Natural wine began as a rebellion against industrial farming and winemaking. Today, it’s at a crossroads — caught between its soulful roots and the pull of trends and marketing. At Taste Union, we want to be part of keeping it grounded. We work with producers who care more about what’s in the bottle than what’s on the label. We believe in wine made with integrity, not jargon.
If you’re ready to explore, we invite you to discover our wines — no fuss, no funk. Just good wine, made well Try Our recommended Natural Wine
You can also try natural wines in various places across the UK — explore our recommended natural wine bars where you can experience clean, sustainable wines by the glass or bottle.
For the most curious reader keen to dive deeper into the world of natural wine, there’s a growing number of writers bringing fresh perspective and passion to the conversation. Thoughtful voices like Alice Feiring, Isabelle Legeron MW, and Jamie Goode offer inspiring reads on low-intervention winemaking, the people behind the wines, and the movement as a whole.