The term natural white wine is often described as loosely specified and uncontrolled. However, if you are a frequent natural red wine drinker, you’re most likely acquainted with a couple of common designs, such as pét-nat and piquette, that have acquired popularity for many years. Recently a lesser-known sub-genre, called “zero-zero,” has crept onto the scene and is quietly making headway as the current trend in natural white wine. To get more information about this strange yet popular design VinePair chatted with Troy Bowen, sommelier and creator of Denver’s natural white wine bar Noble Riot.
Bowen, who first took an interest in natural white wine when working with New York-based natural red wine importer Jenny & & Francois, is extremely enthusiastic about guiding guests through their experience with the style. “Natural wine is already loosely defined and having designs like zero-zero can make complex things even further,” he states. However fear not, he says, due to the fact that the term is less complex than it sounds.
As a sub-section of natural white wine, zero-zero frequently refers to 2 designs of winemaking. The very first specifies to white wines made with the addition of no sulfur (a frequently used preservative) and no business yeast. The second is a broader recommendation and is most often the case for white wines categorized as zero-zero. “In this instance, nothing is added or eliminated throughout the wine making procedure that is not naturally present in the white wine,” Bowen states. This means no acidification agents, no color enhancers, no filtration, and no sulfur or commercially made yeast. As Bowen describes, these wines are devoid of what some think about “adjustment” and declare the idea that the red wine you’re drinking is grown and made without intervention.
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Compared to the natural white wine category at large, the zero-zero term is more particular in its relation to the production process for white wines, from vineyard to bottle. Bowen explains it best through his relation to rock and punk music—- rock being the broader style and punk the defined department within it.
For instance, lots of red wines labeled or offered as natural might still utilize sulfur during the wine making process, or utilize various yeast stress to influence the profile of the red wine. “For zero-zero producers, the ideology is to inform the story of the vintage through the grapes without any human control versus crafting a white wine to deliver a specific taste or taste profile,” he states.
Many zero-zero white wines are likewise minimalist when it pertains to labels, though this isn’t particularly a requirement. In truth, you ‘d be hard-pressed to find a bottle touting its zero-zero claims.
So how would one seek out these stylish red wines, you might wonder? Bowen suggests speaking with the staff members at a red wine store you regular and trust. “Boutique with big natural wine sections normally have an educated personnel to help assist you to wine makers who regularly produce zero-zero wines,” he says. It’s likewise helpful to stay notified of importers, like Jenny & & Francois, which frequently bring specialized natural white wines.
Although this is among the smaller sized segments of natural wine, zero-zero is growing and is more than a novelty, Bowen argues. “Lots of people discover comfort in zero-zero red wines due to the fact that of their lack of sulfur, while others are interested in the specific niche style,” he states. Beyond being informed, Bowen likewise suggests acting upon your interest when it pertains to zero-zero styles, simply as you would any other kind of red wine.