As the popularity of natural wine soars, the agricultural practices, philosophy, and craft behind it are under pressure. Mass conventional producers are adding “natural” lines, investors are speculating on bottles, and marketers are attempting to capitalize on its hipster reputation. In the process, the standards and meaning of a style of wine-growing and -making that has never been perfectly defined but has long been closely associated with small producers and careful stewardship of the land are feeling the heat.
Some advocates argue a certification process is necessary to ensure that low intervention standards are met. Others object that such a process will add unnecessary bureaucracy on producers who already struggle to stay afloat and impose uniformity on an approach to winemaking beloved for its anarchic idiosyncracies.
As a once proudly punk form of growing and producing goes mainstream, panelists Alice Feiring, Katie Worobeck, Christian Binner, and Emma Bentley join moderator Aaron Asycough to debate: does natural wine need protection?
Ticket prices include a blind tasting, led by noma head sommelier Ava Mees List. Alice Feiring and Aaron Ayscough will be available to sign books after the debate.
When: October 23, 18.00-20.00
Where: Restaurant noma, Refshalevej 96, Copenhagen
Tickets: 225 DKK including wine-tasting