Natural wine is no longer seen as a fad. As the quality has improved a growing number of restaurants and retailers are now listing at least a few orange wines, Pet Nats and zero-SO2 examples. The la Dive Bouteille fair in Saumur in the Loire claims to be the biggest natural wine event in the world, and showcases wines from France and elsewhere.
It’s got a wine-growing history that dates back to the Roman world. It’s got more than 220 authorised grape varieties over 55,000 hectares of vineyards, and it’s one of the most exciting wine-growing countries in Europe.
