Natural Wine Fatigue? How to Keep Exploring Without the Funk

At Raravina, we love a wild ferment and a hazy glass as much as anyone — but even the most adventurous palate can tire of mousey reds and kombucha-adjacent whites. If you’ve found yourself craving something a little more… polished, you’re not alone.

Here’s how to stay curious in the world of low-intervention wine — without sacrificing pleasure or precision.

What Causes ‘The Funk’?

Many natural wines skip added sulphites and filtration, which can create:

• Cloudiness or sediment

• Volatile acidity (nail polish notes)

• Brettanomyces (barnyard or leather aromas)

• Mouse taint (a chalky, savoury flaw on the finish)

Some drinkers love these quirks. Others? Not so much.

Clean, Natural, and Balanced: Yes, It Exists

You don’t need to give up on natural wines — just be more selective. Look for:

• Minimal intervention but clean technique

• Wines with freshness, clarity, and precision

• Winemakers focused on vineyard health, not chaos for chaos’ sake

Bottles to Reignite Your Curiosity

Try: Douloufakis Muscat Amphora 2022 – A skin-contact white from Crete with floral lift and freshness. Textural, not funky.

Also try: Dzimbahwe Roter Veltliner 2023 – Bright, balanced, and squeaky clean. A great way to keep things natural without going off-piste.

Try: Ossian Verdejo Rueda 2020 – Old-vine Verdejo with tension and elegance. Naturally expressive and beautifully made.

Final Tip: Talk to Your Somm

If you’re shopping naturally, lean on your local sommelier or wine merchant (us!). A good one won’t push funk for the sake of trend — they’ll guide you to wines that are alive and delicious.

Naturally Curious

Natural wine doesn’t have to mean murky, flawed, or hard to love. Let us help you explore the joyful, clean side of low-intervention drinking — one thoughtful bottle at a time.

Until next time, stay nosey.