If you’ve spent any time browsing wine shelves recently – whether in a supermarket, an independent wine shop, or scrolling online – you’ve probably seen words like natural, organic, and biodynamic popping up more and more. They sound wholesome. They sound better for the planet. And they often sound… confusing.
I’m asked about this a lot, both by customers here on Skye and by visitors staying in holiday accommodation who book tastings with me. People often lean in slightly and say something like, “I should probably know this… but what’s the actual difference?”
The good news is you’re not alone. The even better news is that it’s nowhere near as complicated as it sometimes gets made out to be. So let’s pour a glass, take the pressure off, and talk it through in plain English.
First things first: why do these terms exist at all?
At their heart, all three terms – natural, organic, and biodynamic – are about how the grapes are grown and how the wine is made.
They come from a desire to step away from heavily industrial farming and winemaking. Over the last 50–60 years, wine (like most agriculture) became more efficient, more consistent, and more reliant on chemicals and technology. That’s not automatically a bad thing – it helped feed people and keep prices accessible – but it also led some growers to feel that something was being lost along the way.
These movements are, in different ways, attempts to reconnect wine with nature, place, and balance.
Where they differ is how far they take that idea and how strictly it’s defined.
Organic wine: the easiest place to start
If you’re new to this whole area, organic wine is usually the simplest to understand.
What does organic mean in the vineyard?
Organic wine starts with organic grapes. That means:
- No synthetic chemical pesticides or herbicides
- No artificial fertilisers
- A focus on soil health and biodiversity
Instead of spraying chemicals to kill pests or weeds, organic growers rely on things like natural predators, careful vineyard management, and good old-fashioned hard work.
If you’ve ever tried to grow vegetables without chemicals, you’ll know it’s not the easy option. Organic viticulture takes more time, more observation, and often more risk.
What about in the winery?
This is where things get slightly more nuanced.
In the EU and UK, wines labelled as organic wine must also follow rules in the winery, including limits on certain additives and lower levels of sulphur (the preservative that helps keep wine stable). However, some intervention is still allowed.
That means organic wines can still be filtered, fined (clarified), and adjusted if needed. The goal isn’t to make life difficult for the winemaker – it’s to reduce unnecessary inputs while still producing clean, reliable wine.
How does organic wine taste?
Here’s the important bit: organic doesn’t describe a flavour.
An organic wine can be crisp, rich, fruity, serious, or simple. What it often does offer is a sense of clarity and freshness, because healthier soils tend to produce better-balanced grapes.
Plenty of the wines I select from France and England are organic, not because it’s fashionable, but because the quality speaks for itself.
Biodynamic wine: organic, but taken further
Biodynamic wine often sounds mysterious, and I’ll be honest – some of the language around it doesn’t help. But once you strip it back, the core idea is actually very practical.
Where does biodynamics come from?
Biodynamics was developed in the 1920s by Rudolf Steiner. The idea is that a farm (or vineyard) should be treated as a self-contained living system.
In other words:
- The soil, vines, animals, insects, and people are all connected
- The aim is balance, resilience, and long-term health
What makes biodynamic different from organic?
Biodynamic vineyards follow all organic principles, but add a few extra layers:
- Natural composts and plant-based preparations are used to support soil life
- Chemical inputs are avoided entirely
- Vineyard work often follows lunar and cosmic calendars
It’s that last point that tends to raise eyebrows. Talking about moon cycles can make biodynamics sound a bit like astrology for wine.
But here’s the thing: many farmers (not just winegrowers) have observed for centuries that planting, pruning, and harvesting at certain times can affect plant behaviour. Biodynamics simply formalises those observations.
Is biodynamic wine certified?
Yes. The most well-known certification body is Demeter. If you see that logo on a bottle, it means the producer has been inspected and meets strict biodynamic standards.
Certification is demanding and expensive, which is why some excellent growers follow biodynamic principles but don’t bother with the badge.
How does biodynamic wine taste?
Again, there’s no single flavour profile. But biodynamic wines often show energy and precision. That might sound a bit airy, but what people usually notice is that the wines feel alive, expressive, and very tied to where they come from.
Some of the most memorable vineyard visits I’ve done – particularly in France – have been to biodynamic estates. The vineyards just feel different underfoot.
Natural wine: the least defined, most debated
Natural wine is where conversations can get lively.
What is natural wine, really?
The honest answer is: there’s no single legal definition.
In broad terms, natural wine is about doing as little as possible in both the vineyard and the winery.
Typically, natural winemakers aim for:
- Organic or biodynamic grapes
- Hand harvesting
- Wild (native) yeast fermentation
- No additives
- Little or no sulphur added
- Minimal filtration or none at all
You’ll often hear the phrase “nothing added, nothing taken away.”
Why is natural wine controversial?
Because without strict regulation, quality can vary wildly.
At its best, natural wine can be thrilling – vibrant, characterful, and full of personality. At its worst, it can be cloudy, unstable, or simply unpleasant.
Some winemakers embrace faults as part of the philosophy. Others work incredibly carefully to make clean, precise wines with minimal intervention.
This is where trust in the producer (or your wine merchant) really matters.
What does natural wine taste like?
Sometimes… different.
You might encounter:
- Cloudiness
- Slight fizz in still wine
- Savoury or funky aromas
None of these are automatically bad. But they’re not for everyone either.
When customers ask me about natural wine, I always ask a question back: “Do you want something adventurous, or something comforting?” There’s no right answer.
So which is better?
This is the question people often expect me to answer definitively.
And the truth is: none of these categories guarantees good wine.
I’ve tasted poor organic wines and stunning conventional ones. I’ve had natural wines that blew me away and others I couldn’t finish. What matters most is:
- The care of the grower
- The health of the vineyard
- The skill and honesty of the winemaker
Labels are a starting point, not a promise.
How I approach it at Wine Guy on Skye
When I’m selecting wines for my range, I don’t start with a tick-box approach. I start with taste.
Then I look at:
- How the wine was grown and made
- Whether the practices are thoughtful and responsible
- Whether the price feels fair for the quality
Many of the producers I work with are organic or biodynamic because it aligns with how they see their land and their future. But I’ll never stock a wine just because it fits a trend.
Wine should be enjoyable first and foremost.
A simple way to remember it
If you’re ever stuck, here’s a handy mental shortcut:
- Organic: no synthetic chemicals in the vineyard
- Biodynamic: organic plus a holistic, whole-farm approach
- Natural: minimal intervention, especially in the winery
That’s it. No exam at the end.
Final thoughts, glass in hand
Wine has always evolved. These terms reflect a broader shift towards asking better questions about where our food and drink come from.
You don’t need to chase labels or feel guilty about what’s in your glass. The best wine is the one you enjoy, shared with good company, in a moment that matters.
If you’re curious to explore organic, biodynamic, or natural wines without the jargon – or you’d like your wine waiting for you when you arrive on Skye – you know where to find me.
Until then, enjoy the journey. One glass at a time.
Nick
Wine Guy on Skye www.wineguyonskye.com