Put on your drinking caps: it’s time to rosé the bar on conventional vinos with organic, biodynamic and natural wines in Singapore.
All things au natural have been trending in recent years, but being planet-friendly has nothing on the allure of good vino. So it’s no surprise that wine connoisseurs in Singapore are turning to natural wines for their fix. With numerous labels and distributors pushing this environmentally-friendly trend into the mainstream, here’s what you need to know about this drink du jour.
Natural vs. organic vs. biodynamic wines
What’s the difference? Natural wines generally refer to wines created with ‘minimal intervention’. That is, no additives, chemicals, sulphur, filtering and other ‘unnatural’ additions. This bears similarities to organic wines, which are created without pesticides and chemical fertilisers.
Biodynamic wines are made with the view that the vineyard is an ecological whole. Maintaining harmony in the environment is key, and farmers are conscious of the interdependency of the land’s flora and fauna. So biodynamic vineyards may farm in accordance with seasonal or celestial rhythms, or opt for compost over chemical fertilisers.
As there are similarities between their farming practices (most of them boast no nasties in their grapes!) and no strict definition for each, many natural wines are also organic and biodynamic. Cool, bright and slightly fizzy, these sips will have you on cloud vine with their vibrant flavour. And with a lower ABV than your standard wines, it’s also deceptively easy to down a bottle of this stuff in no time at all.
Where to buy natural wines in Singapore
1. Bar Cicheti
Bubbly vinos share the limelight with delicious pasta at Bar Cicheti. This trendy Italian restaurant is a pasta and wine bar, with a mahogany-clad space that’s equal parts intimate and modern. Its selection of vino only features natural sips for the finest expressions of both grape and terroir.
These gutsy wines are presented with a menu that’s painfully hip – with each collection marked by a movie quote that represents its bottles. Whether you’re into Oppenheimer or Wizard of Oz, expect unique sips and easy pet-nats to complement your choice of tapas and pasta.
Bar Cicheti, 10 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089264
2. That Wine is Mine
Gift a loved one (or yourself) the gift of au natural vino with curated wine sets from That Wine is Mine. Expect recommendations with a personal touch – every bottle in its inventory has been personally savoured by the team, ensuring that only tried-and-tested pours make it into the box.
And can we talk about the fun names? Put on your dancing shoes with “Let’s go disco”, a light rosé from Anders Frederik Steen and Anne Bruun Blauert; send a boozy greeting with ‘Ciao Ciao’, a progressive red from Fattoria Al Flore in Japan’s Miyagi prefecture; and many more.
That Wine is Mine, available online
3. The Butcher’s Wife
In the heart of the buzzing Tiong Bahru, The Butcher’s Wife invites you in for gluten-free European nosh and natural wines. Taste the grapes, sun and soil with its additive and preservative-free pours. Fancy sparkling, rosé, red, white or orange? The booze list has it all (alongside highballs, beers, cocktails and mocktails).
Sip on Brazilian wine with the Casa Valduga 130, a charming golden made from special vintages of chardonnay and pinot noir grapes for a bubbly taste reminiscent of dried fruit and almonds. Or try the refreshing sangria for a bright bevvy with notes of fresh fruits. We’d say bottoms up any time of the day.
The Butcher’s Wife, 19 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 168650
4. Drunken Farmer
We won’t be surprised if their farmers are buzzed on the job with sips as good as these. Established in 2019, Drunken Farmer is a formerly nomadic natural wine bar that began with a mission to connect wine farmers to people. Get a taste of its rich natural vino by shopping online, or order a glass while dining at Common Man Coffee Roasters.
With organic labels, trendy pet-nats, and even orange wines sourced directly from makers in France, Spain and more, Drunken Farmer’s unique wine selection will satisfy any natural wine connoisseur. Psst: enjoy same-day delivery for orders placed before 4pm and shipping for orders above $100. Place your orders and get sipping!
Drunken Farmer, available online and at Common Man Coffee Roasters
5. Wine Mouth
As Singapore’s first wine store dedicated to natural wines, Wine Mouth has captured our attention with its tongue-in-cheek branding and a rotating selection of vino. Each bottle is sourced from vineyards that rely on natural yeast, the condition of the land, and almost no sulphur in the bottling process – all that to ensure the grapes’ most natural expressions.
Red, white and rosé are par for the course, but the store also stocks orange wines, vermouth, spirits and cocktails. Drawing a blanc? Let Wine Mouth’s monthly subscription plan your sips. Just sign up to be part of Wine Mouthful, its exclusive wine club. You’ll get two hand-picked wines every month and access to its members-only wine tastings, alongside other perks.
Wine Mouth, available online and at 432A Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427647
6. RVLT
RVLT is driving a revolution. This hip gastro wine bar is helmed by two passionate local sommeliers who believe that spontaneity is the key to vino discoveries. Ask for their recommendations and they’ll be happy to pick out a pour you haven’t tasted before. It’s all about sustainability and communal enjoyment, so its sips are highly drinkable and always fun.
Swing by its neon-lit space for a convivial night with your crew. Feeling peckish? There are bar bites to go with your drinks, such as Hokkaido scallops crudo, beef tartare and salted cod Portuguese egg tarts. Alternatively, order its natural wines to your doorstep for happy hour from the comfort of your couch.
RVLT, available online and at #01-01, 38 Carpenter Street, Singapore 059917
7. Rebel Rebel
Like the David Bowie song it’s named after, Rebel Rebel is the rebellious kid on the wine block – rejecting conventional vino and championing natural wines in Singapore. Terroir-driven bevvies are the highlights of its eclectic menu, which are available via delivery, takeaway and at the wine bar.
Sample the distinctive grape varieties from Italy’s lesser-known regions through the Le Coste wines. Or venture into the world of buttery whites with Meursault wines from Burgundy for a fresh, full-bodied and smooth pour. While you’re at the bar, ask away to discover its best vino of the month!
Rebel Rebel, available online and at 14 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089828
8. Le Bon Funk
Celebrate the good kinda funk (and by that we mean natural wines) at Le Bon Funk. Let this bar’s ever-evolving wine list take you on a flavour adventure to unique terroirs, showcasing lesser-known vinification methods and passionate winemakers. For a night of socialising over natural sips, pick a bottle of your fave fizz and plant yourself at one of its cosy tables. New bottles in the cellar include pure, vibrant pours from the Kamara family estate in Greece.
Le Bon Funk, multiple locations including Holland Village and Club Street
9. Wine Connection
This popular hangout for wine aficionados can’t be left off the list. While it’s not the show pony of Wine Connection’s menu, organic and biodynamic natural wines also feature on its list of tipples. Shop reds and whites from France, Italy and New Zealand, including the award-winning Coste di Moro Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, an intense fruity red with light cocoa notes.
Wine Connection, available online and at multiple locations including Orchard Road, Robertson Quay and East Coast Road
10. Wines Online
Vinos to our door? Count us in. Wines Online is a go-to for wine lovers who are keen to stay in. Browse its online store for natural, biodynamic red and whites from Italy, Spain and other locations.
Wines Online, available online
Grab a bottle ‘cos it’s wine o’clock somewhere!
