Natural wine, organic wine and biodynamic wine are three terms you'll see more and more often when browsing wine shops.
But what do they actually mean?
Are they the same thing? Is natural wine always organic? Does biodynamic mean the wine is better? And why do some natural wines look cloudy?
The short answer is: they're not the same thing.
Here's a simple guide to understanding the differences — without getting too technical.
What Is Organic Wine?
Organic wine starts in the vineyard.
Organic farming generally avoids synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers and instead focuses on maintaining a healthy, functioning ecosystem.
However, there's an important distinction between wine made from organically grown grapes and certified organic wine.
Certification requirements vary between countries and organisations, and winemaking rules can differ too.
So if organic certification is important to you, look for the relevant certification on the bottle or check the producer's information.
Does Organic Mean Better Wine?
Not necessarily.
Organic farming is about how the vineyard is managed. It doesn't automatically determine whether the finished wine will be delicious.
A great organic wine can be exceptional, just as a well-made conventional wine can be exceptional.
For many producers, however, organic farming is an important part of producing healthier soils, stronger vineyard ecosystems and better long-term sustainability.
What Is Biodynamic Wine?
Biodynamic farming takes organic farming a step further.
It treats the vineyard as a connected ecosystem and follows a specific agricultural philosophy based around soil health, biodiversity and natural cycles.
Some biodynamic producers also follow a calendar that considers lunar and planetary cycles when carrying out certain vineyard and farming activities.
Biodynamic farming can be certified by organisations such as Demeter, although not every producer who follows biodynamic principles is certified.
Why Do Winemakers Choose Biodynamics?
For some winemakers, biodynamics is simply a way of farming that encourages greater biodiversity and healthier soils.
A biodynamic vineyard may include cover crops, composting, animals, native vegetation and other practices designed to create a more balanced ecosystem.
The focus is not simply on growing grapes, but on creating a healthy vineyard environment.
What Is Natural Wine?
This is where things become a little less straightforward.
Unlike organic and biodynamic farming, natural wine does not have one universally accepted definition.
Generally, natural winemakers aim to intervene as little as possible during the winemaking process.
That might mean:
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Native or wild yeast fermentation
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Minimal additions
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Minimal filtration
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No fining
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Low or no added sulphur
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Organic or biodynamic vineyard practices
But there is no single checklist that every natural wine must follow.
One producer's idea of natural wine may be quite different from another's.
Is Natural Wine Always Organic?
No.
A wine can be described as natural without being certified organic.
Likewise, an organic wine isn't necessarily a natural wine.
Think of it this way:
Organic primarily describes how the grapes are grown.
Biodynamic describes a particular approach to farming.
Natural generally describes a low-intervention approach to making the wine.
They can overlap, but they are not interchangeable.
Why Are Some Natural Wines Cloudy?
You may have noticed that some natural wines look slightly hazy or cloudy.
This is often because the wine has been unfiltered and/or unfined.
Traditional winemaking commonly uses filtration or fining to make wine bright and clear before bottling.
Some low-intervention winemakers choose not to do this.
The result can be a wine with a little natural haze or sediment.
It's not necessarily a fault.
In fact, some wine drinkers enjoy the texture and character that can come with minimal intervention.
What Does “Unfiltered” Mean?
Unfiltered wine hasn't been passed through a filtration process designed to remove fine particles.
This can leave more natural material in the bottle.
You may notice:
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Slight cloudiness
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Sediment
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More texture
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Greater variation from bottle to bottle
If you find sediment in an older or unfiltered red wine, don't panic.
You can simply leave the final centimetre or two in the bottle or carefully decant the wine.
What About Sulphur?
Sulphur dioxide, often simply called sulphur or sulphites, has been used in winemaking for a very long time.
It helps protect wine from oxidation and unwanted microbial activity.
Natural wine producers may use very small amounts of sulphur or none at all.
But it's worth remembering that sulphur isn't simply a “bad chemical”.
It is an important winemaking tool, and sulphites also occur naturally during fermentation.
The key difference is often how much is used and when.
Does Natural Wine Taste Different?
It can.
Natural and low-intervention wines can sometimes show more savoury, earthy, funky or unusual characteristics than conventional wines.
Some are incredibly fresh, vibrant and energetic.
Others can be more challenging or unpredictable.
That's part of the appeal for some wine drinkers — you don't always know exactly what you're going to get.
But natural wine isn't one particular flavour profile.
There are beautifully clean and precise natural wines, as well as wines that are wild and funky.
Is Natural Wine Better?
That's entirely subjective.
Some people love the freshness, individuality and minimal-intervention philosophy.
Others prefer the consistency and precision of conventionally made wine.
Neither approach is automatically better.
The important thing is to find producers whose wines you enjoy.
What Should You Try First?
If you're new to natural or low-intervention wine, don't start by buying the most extreme bottle you can find.
Instead, look for a producer making a clean, balanced wine with minimal intervention.
A naturally made Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Grenache or Riesling can be a great introduction.
And don't be afraid to ask questions.
A good wine merchant should be able to explain how the wine was made and what sort of style you can expect.
The Bottom Line
The simplest way to remember the difference is:
Organic = how the grapes are grown
Biodynamic = a specific holistic approach to farming
Natural = generally a low-intervention approach to winemaking
They can overlap, but they're not the same thing.
And ultimately, none of these labels guarantees that you'll love the wine.
Wine is personal.
Try different producers, regions and styles and see what works for you.
At Purvis Cellars, we're always looking for interesting wines made with thoughtful farming and minimal intervention, alongside traditionally made wines from some of Australia's best producers.
The best way to understand natural wine is simple: open a bottle and see what you think.