Van Drunen at CHARLIE & ECHO makes fantastic natural sparkling, white, rosé, and red wines from grapes grown in San Diego that you can try at their Miramar tasting room. Don’t miss their flagship wine, the Dark Star sparkling red made from zinfandel, syrah, petite sirah, and nebbiolo. 8680 Miralani Drive, Miramar; charlieandecho.com J. BRIX WINERY also produces fantastic natural wines in North County. Try their Cobolorum Riesling pét-nat, described by founders Emily and Jody as being “full of joy,” or their Uncontainable Rosé of Cinsault, produced from grapes grown in local vineyards. 298 Enterprise Street, Escondido; jbrix.com For natural wine and food pairings, check out DIJA MARA in Oceanside. Dija Mara exclusively serves natural wine alongside fantastic Southeast Asian fusion cuisine. 232 South Coast Highway, Oceanside; dijamara.com You can also purchase natural wines from around the world at THE ROSE WINE BAR + BOTTLE SHOP in shop local! If you’re curious to try a natural wine, check out some local producers:
Going au Naturel All you need to know about the rebel of the wine world
by Nia Gordon
atural wines go against the status quo and challenge centuries-old beliefs of what the flavors, aromas, and colors of wine should Winemakers Emily and Jody Towe from J. Brix Winery in Escondido say the philosophy behind natural wine is simple: “nothing added, nothing taken away.”The idea is that natural wine is a true expression of the grape and the land; the wine’s authenticity is maintained by intervening in the winemaking process as little as possible. The grapes are farmed using organic or biodynamic practices, the wines are fermented using only native yeasts and are not filtered, and little to no sulfur is added to the final product. N be. This bold break from tradition is part of what makes natural wine one of the most popular styles in the world right now.
Eric Van Drunen, natural wine producer and co-owner of Miramar’s Charlie & Echo, likens the difference between the production of natural wine and conventional wine to the work of an artist versus that of a craftsman.Where conventional wine producers alter their product in various ways throughout the winemaking process so it fits a predefined set of expectations, natural wine producers allow their product’s variations to contribute to potentially unexpected results, much like an artist does. But whether or not this minimalist approach makes natural wine superior to conventional wine really comes down to preference. Though people often cite health benefits like the probiotics, lack of sulfites, and lower alcohol content, natural wine producers are more focused on the benefit of the artistry behind its production, rather than any specific health perks. When it comes to taste, try to approach it with an open mind, because the differences in grapes, soil, and climate make each wine different. Some natural wine has a cloudy appearance and sour, yeasty flavors comparable to beer, while other natural wines look and taste just like conventional wines. The most common type of natural wine is orange wine, a white wine made using red winemaking techniques. Orange wines you may have seen are pét-nat, a sparkling wine that finishes fermenting in the bottle, and col fondo, a unique unfiltered Prosecco.
South Park and VINO CARTA in Lile Italy.
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APR I L 2021
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