Natural wine uncorks back to basics movement in the U.S.

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. intervention / ˌɪn tərˈvɛn ʃən / (n.) – the act of becoming involved in a situation in order to help deal with a problem
    Example:

    Early intervention can save the lives of many women who get breast cancer.


  2. certification / ˌsɜr tə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən / (n.) – a document proving that something is of good quality
    Example:

    The company applied for certification for its wine products.


  3. uncork / ʌnˈkɔrk / (v.) – to remove a cork from a bottle
    Example:

    My uncle used a screw to uncork a bottle of wine.


  4. encompass / ɛnˈkʌm pəs / (v.) – to include a wide range of ideas, subjects, etc.
    Example:

    The goal of the festival is to encompass everything from music and theater to literature and cinema.


  5. ferment / fərˈmɛnt / (v.) – (of food or drink) to go through a chemical change that results in the production of alcohol
    Example:

    The farmer fermented the grape juice to produce wine.


Article

Read the text below.

Natural wine – wine produced with minimal chemical intervention – is growing increasingly popular in the United States.


But critics say the lack of defined standards and certification means consumers don’t quite know what they’re getting when they uncork a bottle.


It’s harvest time in California. Pickers are plucking grapes from the vines as quickly as they can. This vineyard is certified organic. Growers here say consumers want wines that reflect their lifestyle choices.


“The farm-to-table movement in the United States really made people concerned about what they’re eating and what they’re putting into their bodies. And I think for a really long time, we were a little bit more focused on the food that we’re eating and the food that we’re purchasing and consuming. And I think now it’s also grown to encompass the wine that we’re drinking as well,” says David Rothchild, owner of Los Paisanos Vineyard Management Company.


These grapes will not just end up in organic wines, the vineyard supplies several natural wine producers.


Natural wine is a production philosophy that favors as little intervention as possible, typically fermented with no added water, yeast or flavor enhancers. Rothchild thinks it’s a good market to get into, at a time when overall wine consumption is falling.


“There aren’t as many wine drinkers right now and the wine-drinking population is aging and they’re not attracting a younger audience,” he says. “I think that the younger audience is very attracted by natural wine. I think that it’s a different flavor. There has been a movement towards lower alcohol, higher acid wines, wines that are more refreshing.”


Total Wine, which operates 257 stores in 28 U.S. states, says sales of natural wine have more than tripled from a year ago.


“The natural wine movement is great for the consumer because it is providing an alternative to the mass-produced wine that may have a lot of chemicals in it or have vineyards that are farmed with pesticides or chemicals that have proven to be very bad for you,” says winemaker Pax Mahle.


Analysts say natural wine is currently the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. wine industry.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Rothchild thinks natural wine is a good market to get into, at a time when overall wine consumption is falling. What do you think of Rothchild’s mindset? Discuss.
  • In your country, are there a lot of businesses selling wine? Why do you think this is the case? Do you think a natural wine business would become successful in your country? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Farm-to-table is a social movement in which restaurants use ingredients directly from local farms. What do you think of this movement (ex. it’s interesting, it’s complex)? Why do you think so? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, should farm-to-table restaurants and businesses sell their products for cheaper or more expensive prices? Why do you think so? Discuss.