Natural Flavors

Learn why the natural wine craze is sweeping the Midwest, and where to find them in Columbus

Story and Photos by Sav McKee / Story Design by Tori Smith

Iheard about a phenomenon called "natural orange wine" back in 2017, and when I went to my local wine shop and asked for an orange wine or any natural wine, the shopkeeper laughed and assured me there was no such thing of a wine made from oranges.

While he was right in one sense (because wine made with oranges would be some strange version of orange juice), orange wine does in fact exist, taking its color from grape skins that are left on during fermentation.

Since then, orange wines and natural wines of various shades have become exponentially more popular around the world, and it's exciting that Columbus is leaning into this trend. What once could only be found in the most coveted bars in Los Angeles, are now featured on menus of many Columbus spots, including on even more traditional wine lists.

Why Natural Wine?

Buying a bottle of natural wine vs. any other wine, no matter how expensive, automatically means that you'll have less of a hangover due to less sugar and no pesticides or herbicides in the bottle. The grapes used in natural wines are handpicked with ethical labor, which is a huge plus if you're conscientious about exploitation.

Most unnatural wines use fillers such as egg, more sugar, and acids that can hurt your body if consumed too much, even if they're labeled as "organic," but natural wines use a native yeast for fermentation. Most natural wine is completely unfiltered; the cloudiness & funk associated with these unfiltered wines are the most charming parts.

The most alluring aspect of drinking natural wine is that I know I'm actually drinking grapes instead of the 60+ additives that can be found in many conventional wines.

Orange Wines

Despite its name, this type of natural wine is not made from oranges. They're referred to as "orange wines" (or skin contact wines) because of their vibrant colors that are the result of leaving the white grape skin on and seeds in during production.

Most orange wines are fermented in cement, clay, or ceramic, allowing the grape to be funkier than your normal white wine. Some can taste like a buffalo sauce, while other, more mellow bottles can taste like a mimosa or peaches. If you're new to the orange wine scene, try a more mild orange wine at first.

Litrozzo Vino Bianco Biologico - an orange wine purchased from Lawbird Supply House

Chilled Reds

Maybe our grandmothers who put ice cubes in their red wines were actually onto something! Most natural red wines are best served a little cold, believe it or not. Natural reds are similar to orange wines, but they use red grapes and leave the skin off.

These reds range from juicy, light rosatos that taste like an adult Capri Sun, all the way to a dark, musky red with hints of tobacco and leather. I tend to lean towards fizzy, approachable, vibrant lambruscos or rosatos.

When going to your local wine shop, ask for a natural wine that fizzes, and they'll know exactly what youmean. Also, keep your eye out for any description on the bottle that says "Frizzante," and you'll know that it will have a funk and fizzle.

This bottle of Frisante Rosato by Il Farneto, found at Lawbird Supply House, pairs perfectly with pizza, pasta, or just by itself!

Pét Nats

If you love champagne but not so much the champagne hangover, a Pét Nat, short for the French term, "pétillant naturel,” is a must-try. Just like other naturals, these sparkling natural wines are made without additives and produced in small batches.

The colors of these effervescent wines range from gold, yellow, orange, red, or even pink.

Add a little sparkle to your next dinner party with this bottle, "Pétillant Naturel Piquette" by Old Westminster, found at Coast Wine House.

Where To Look Locally

If you’re looking to go natural, look no further than these popular Columbus spots, all of which boast their own (often-rotating) varieties of natural wine:

Vecchia Modena Lambrusco from The Bottle Shop