NATURAL WINE: An introduction to organic and biodynamic wines made naturally published in July
“A really inspiring book. Isabelle writes beautifully
and it’s given me a lot to think about” - Olly Smith
Over the last 50 years, winemaking has become ever-more processed, controlled and unnatural, from the use of blanket crop-spraying in vineyards to the over-use of sulphites and other additives in winemaking. This over-manipulation and lack of transparency has lead more and more people to turn to what is known as natural wine - wine made as nature intended with grapes that are farmed organically or biodynamically and with minimum intervention in the winery. Wine that is basically good old-fashioned fermented grape juice.
And there’s no one that knows them better than their standard bearer, Isabelle Legeron MW, who is at the forefront of this growth in awareness.
As crusader for the natural wine movement, she has presented her own show on the Travel Channel, acts as adviser to several leading restaurants and has set-up the hugely successful annual natural wine fair - RAW. Just as the craft beer movement has taken off across the globe, the demand for natural wine has exploded over the last couple of years, and looks set to go from strength to strength.
Isabelle says ‘I’m incredibly excited about releasing a book on natural wine. I’ve dedicated my life to raising awareness about them, since it is the only wine I drink now. I want people to know about the rubbish that goes into making so many of the wines on our shelves, but even more than that I want them to know that it doesn’t have to be that way. There are amazing wines out there that are so, so much better in every way.’
The book is split into three parts. Part one examines the definition of natural wine, looking at The Vineyard, The Cellar, Taste, Misconceptions and Health. Part two explores the Who, Where and When, providing details of the Artisans, the Origins of the Movement and where you can find and buy natural wine. Finally, part three is about discovering natural wine for yourself, with information and tasting notes on a large variety of natural wines divided into Bubbles, Whites, Oranges, Pinks, Reds and Off-dry and sweets.
Isabelle Legeron, who lives in London, was the first French woman to become a Master of Wine, and was named Wine Woman of the Year 2009 in Paris. She runs the highly successful RAW fair in May in London, and advises various restaurants on their wine lists, including the Michelin 2* Hibiscus. She contributes to Decanter magazine, and organises conferences and tastings to spread the word about proper, natural wine.
Natural Wine: An introduction to organic and biodynamic wines made naturally
will be available from July priced at £16.99.
