The 19th edition of VinNatur Tasting, held in Gambellara (Vicenza) from April 13 to 15, 2024, confirmed its success as one of the key events for natural wine enthusiasts in Italy and abroad. Entering VinNatur is like stepping into a parallel world, filled with vintage labels, some more pop, and others so original they defy any classification.
What does “natural” mean?
Today, talking about natural wine is different from the past: there is still no official and unequivocal definition, but the general public and, most importantly, the producers have a clear understanding of what “drinking natural” means. Natural wine originates from methods that minimize interventions in the vineyard and cellar. It excludes chemical additives and human manipulation.
Angiolino Maule, one of the pioneers of this philosophy, now firmly embraces the path he helped forge and pushes it even further. During one of the masterclasses organized at VinNatur, he emphasized that a wine must be natural but also meet quality standards. It should not have unpleasant odors and, in general, be correct in taste and smell.
Edition 2024
At the tasting tables, over 200 producers from Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic offered a broad overview of the world of natural wine.
In this 2024 edition, VinNatur offered extremely interesting Masterclasses. These sessions covered concrete topics that piqued the interest of both industry professionals and enthusiasts.
One of the most interesting Masterclasses was titled “Microbiological Alterations in Wines,” led by Giacomo Buscioni. During the tasting, it was possible to sample wines appropriately modified to understand the main organoleptic alterations of microbiological origin and their most common characteristics.
To deepen the understanding of natural wine, the best activity was, of course, tasting and chatting with the producers present at the event. There were many tastings, new encounters, and confirmations, but it would be impossible to recount everything. So here is our podium, the top 3 tastings of VinNatur 2024.
Reyter – Trentino Alto Adige
We are in the Caldaro/Termeno area, and what most characterizes the Reyter winery is the Schiava grape. Schiava is a wine I like to describe as “lively”. An indigenous grape variety from Alto Adige with a history dating back to before the 1500s. Its lightness is its strong point, featuring a structure of moderate yet well-present tannins. On the nose, typical notes of violet and berries emerge. This very lightness makes it a versatile wine: suitable for aperitifs but also for pairing with a full meal.
Röck – Alto Adige
A family winery producing around 30,000 bottles. We spoke with Carmen, the daughter. Her exuberant spirit perfectly represents the love for what her family produces and for the territory where they live. The Isarco Valley is Italy’s northernmost wine region. Here, the climate is decidedly cooler compared to the rest of South Tyrol.
Viel Anders, vintage 2020, is one of the wines we tasted. It truly reflects Carmen. Exuberant and profound, it expresses itself with a striking lightness. The hot summer of 2020 had an immediate impact on the nose. However, the winemakers masterfully managed its effects by harvesting slightly early to preserve freshness.
Štemberger – Slovenia
We couldn’t miss tasting the Vitovska from Štemberger, a wine symbolizing the Slovenian land. This wine impresses with its elegance. The aromas are clear and well-defined, with citrus notes standing out above all. “A vivid image comes to mind when you taste this wine. You feel the harshness of the Karst, the lightness of the Adriatic sea breeze, and the cold touch of the Bora wind. This vision transforms into a fresh, mineral, and intense sip.
VinNatur Association will use the proceeds from the event to support its research projects and organize seminars dedicated to training its members. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Onlus Progetto Alépé. It has been committed since 1986 to providing medical and social assistance to the inhabitants of the city of Alépé in Côte d’Ivoire.
For more information about the VinNatur Association and their events, visit their website.