To celebrate one year of life, FAB is introducing a list of wine terms linked to our certified-organic wine and spirits. Questions around these terms have often come up in conversations with our customers and friends in Australia. We will register them here, as an index that all can refer to when posing themselves the same queries. We will be updating this page frequently, including more and more explanations to help you discover the world of organic wine and spirits, as well as making more sustainable choices in life.
What is?
Biodynamic wine – This may seem like an exoteric term, but biodynamic techniques have been applied by growers for centuries to achieve the best possible quality of fruit. Biodynamic vineyards go a few steps further and have much stricter rules to be certified in comparison to organic vineyards. Biodynamic wine is produced with minimal additions, portraying more precisely the original place where grapes were grown. Often, producers have shifted to biodynamic practices after experiencing health issues related to chemical pesticides, seeking to create a sustainable legacy for future generations. But most also believe that by following the rhythms of the moon, applying herbal preparations in the vineyards and fostering biodiversity, they can restore the natural balance of the vines and yield the purest fruit. To know more about biodynamic wines, read our blog here.
Drinkable wine – Drinkability is one of the measures many wine critics use for quality. While in the past, ‘drinkable wine’ used to be applied to wines that were ready to drink now, nowadays it manly applies to wines that are approachable and easy to drink. It means for example, that a wine doesn’t have any harsh tannins, unpalatable sweetness or unpleasant aromas. It is enjoyable, friendly and welcoming to drinkers. At FAB strive to select wines of great drinkability, which can be easily enjoyed and shared between friends.
Grower Champagne – For many years the region of Champagne was only led by big Champagne houses, whose names you will have heard of, and which did a pretty good job building and maintaining the reputation of the region’s wine production. A more recent phenomenon is the addition of the grower champagnes. They are, basically, winegrowers that used to sell their grapes to be vinified by the Champagne houses but decided to start producing their own Champagnes. This means they have control over the production from start to finish and make their wines in a more artisanal fashion, focusing on showcasing the terroir of their specific vineyards, not achieving a consistent house style. To know more about Grower Champagnes, visit our dedicated blog about the subject here.
Lo-fi Wines – It is a lot more common to have heard of natural wines in Australia rather than lo-fi wines, but the later also means minimal intervention in winemaking. In conventional, commercial winemaking several additions and methods are employed to make wines more consistent, clear and clean. In stark contrast to this approach, lo-fi wines go for a totally hands-off style. More precisely, they are un-fined and un-filtered wines, which, more philosophically speaking, ‘accept’ their own imperfections and are turned into polished, more sterile or standardised versions of themselves. They look cloudy, often display sediments and are unapologetic about it. Adept winemakers feel they are keeping all the goodness in their wines, refraining from striping off any elements that can enhance flavours or typicity. At FAB we have a selection of lo-fi wines, including our Pet Nat options, which you can find here.
Low Alcohol Wines – In Australia, low alcohol is a beverage that contain less than 1.15% of alcohol per volume. And wine is defined as having at least 4.5% of alcohol, meaning that ‘low alcohol wine’ is not really a correct term to be employed. In practice, low alcohol wines are usually non-alcoholic beverages, that present less than 0.5% alcohol and will not cause intoxication. Legislation also allows these beverages to be labelled as zero alcohol or no alcohol. In FAB’s case, we understand that certain circumstances and lifestyles do not agree with any alcohol content being present in a drink. So, we offer a selection of non-alcoholic beverages that are suitable for all. These beverages have been produced with care by producers who have been traditionally making wines and chose to offer an option of zero alcohol. You can find our carefully selected options of no and low alcohol here.
Natural Wine – This is an abused and often confusing wine terminology. Natural wine has no legal definition, although different certifications exist, such as ABN and SANS. It usually means that grapes come from certified organic vineyards, but sometimes that is not the case. More often, it means minimal intervention in winemaking, with minimal additions and as little as possible sulphur dioxide at bottling. Many examples are un-filtered and un-fined, but that is not a rule. Above all, it is a philosophy of hands-off approach in winemaking, which gathered an international following and created a ‘cult’ movement world-wide around a ‘natural’ style and some renowned producers. We are fans of the natural wine philosophy and stock several examples of this style. FAB also provides natural wine delivery to any region in Australia.
Orange Wine – It is a white wine, made like a red. In white wine production, usually the skins of the grapes are separated from the juice, whereas for red wines the skins are macerated with the juice, giving it colour. In the production of orange wines, the white wine grapes that are macerated with the skins and acquire an orange colour as a result. This prolonged skin contact imparts a rich amber hue and introduces a spectrum of intriguing flavours and textures. The intensity of the colour depends mainly on the type of grape variety and on how long the skins stay in contact with the wine. When wine was first produced in traditional clay vessels (qvevri) – in Georgia back in 6,000 BC – orange wines were the norm. Gradually, taste changed, and clear white wines became more widely popular. We are now seeing a renaissance of this style around the world. To browse FAB’s selection of orange wines, including Georgian options, click here.
Organic wines – It’s true that by choosing organic wines, you have many associated benefits. Our customers often comment when recommending our wines to friends, that “organic = healthy”, “organic means no hangover” or that “organic means it’s good for you”. Their notion is because certified organic wines ban chemical pesticides in the vineyards and are produced with less intervention and additions in the cellar. As a result, the final wine keeps more of its original flavours, reflects more of its origin and tends to agree better with us and our bodies. By focusing on 100% certified-organic wine and spirits, FAB embodies the dedication to exceptional taste and care for the environment. Aside from importing organic wines from renowned regions around the world, we carry some of the best organic wines in Australia.
Pet Nat – This natural, minimal-intervention sparkling wine style, known for its cloudy looks and distinctive character, is having a renaissance and capturing the imaginations of both wine enthusiasts and professionals. Often made with organic or biodynamic grapes and typically un-filtered and un-sulphured, the Pet Nat style allows for the original characteristics of the wine to shine through. To know about this style you can find our dedicated blog here. And a Pet Nat selection of from FAB can be found here for you to choose from.
Preservative Free Wines – Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is the go-to antioxidant used in winegrowing and winemaking to preserve fruit and wine. It can be added to the grapes after picking in powdery form, to prevent them from rotting. It is also widely used in the cellar, specially at bottling, to keep the wine pristine. But as with any other additive, it takes its toll and can be harmful in large quantities. That is why the maximum amount of sulphur additions is legally restricted in wine production. Currently, talented winemakers, who have expertise and know-how to manage oxygen with care, are increasingly reducing the use of sulphur, as well as experimenting with producing preservative free wines, with no sulphur added. At FAB, we champion these efforts of making wines as pure as possible, and have been supporting this style, many of each you can find here.
Vegan Wines – We often get asked what a vegan wine is. Most consumers make no connection between wine and the use of animal products, but in fact egg whites, gelatine and isinglass (collagen made of fish bladders) have traditionally been used as fining agents in winemaking. As consumers begin to get more acquainted with winemaking processes and make more conscious choices, vegan wines are becoming more and more popular. In the current circumstances, most wine options that are suitable for a vegan lifestyle, are not certified. The vegan certification is yet to become more widespread worldwide. But at FAB, we bring on our portfolio mainly vegan friendly options.