Natural Wine Associations
This list provides an overview of some natural wine associations from Europe, inluding the key requirements they request from their members. Except for Vin méthode nature, goverments have not yet recognised these labels.
France
Association des Vins Naturels (AVN)
Founded in 2000, Members using the AVN label are working organic or biodynamic, and are not using any additives such as sulphur or stabilisation techniques such as filtering to make their wines. Click here to read more.
La Renaissance des Appellations
Even though this is not a natural wine association, it is one of the main precursors of the natural wine movement. Founded in 2001 by the Loire winemaker Nicolas Joly, the association brought together leading, biodynamically working wineries such as Domaine Leflaive, Domaine Leory, Pierre Morey and that stood for a refocus on terroir and natural methods in the vineyard.
Click here to read more.
Les Vins S.A.I.N.S. (Sans Aucun Intrant Ni Sulfite)
Established in 2010, Les Vins S.A.I.N.S is focused on wines without any added sulfites, neither filtration or other stabilisation practices are allowed. For the vineyard, they don't require an organic or biodynamic certification, but prohibit the use of any chemicals. Click here to read more.
Syndicat de Défense des Vins Naturels (SDVN)
The wines are labeled as Vin Méthode Nature. This certification is recognized by the french authorities including the national institue for origin and quality (INAO). To qualify as a Vin Méthode Nature, a wine has to be made from hand-picked grapes that are certified organic. The fermentation has to be spontaneous, namely with indigenous yeasts from vineyard and cellar, and without added, cultured yeasts. Additives such as sugar, acid or tannin, and stabilisation processes such as filtering or fining are prohibited. Adding sulfites is allowed until 30mg/l.
Click here for more information.
Italy
Triple A
Triple A was formed in 2001 and is rather a movement than an association that certifies wines with a label. To be member of Triple A, winemakers have to fulfill pretty much the same requirements as for Vin Méthode Nature in France. Unlike the french association, the maximum amount of sulfites is not defined. Among the members, there is well-known winemakers such as Arianna Occhipinti (Sicily) and Emidio Pepe (Abruzzo). Click here to read more.
Vini Veri
Similarly to Triple A, Vini Veri is rather a movement than an association. Winemakers have to fulfill requirements for organic farming in the vineyard and are not allowed to use stabilisation techniques or additives in the cellar. The only exception is sulfur which is limited to 80mg/l for dry wines. Click here to read more.