Discover the Beauty of Natural Wine: a voice from Taiwan

My life in southern France was enriched by wine, French food, and kitties. During my gap year, I was lucky to be accepted for a working holiday to help with a natural wine project in the south of France: the Gaillac wine region, a mysterious sleeping beauty. Before I came to live in this hidden gem, I knew nothing about wine. Now I’m all about natural wine. What bought my heart? What sparkle did I see and taste in the glass?

This is my first relationship with wine, an open pallet, a fresh way to explore nature. From my Asian cultural background, I’m a total muggle in the wine world. Here I was, holding a glass of nature’s wonder, pretending I knew how to appreciate it, (and to be able to handle my alcohol, lol). As it turned out, you don’t really need pretending, the words you say, elegantly after sipping, is as honest as the natural wine.

What does good wine mean to me?  I walked into the vineyards trying to find my definition. I looked at the invisible eyes of the beautiful vine, sensed the time flowing through its aging lines, and imagined how great these gorgeous purple and green pearls were going to be.

Nature is a great artist, natural wine is one of her finest works.

Winemaking is a glamorous exhibition curated by humans together with mother nature.

When you come close enough to nature, truly immerse yourself until you feel a part of it, you will be able to feel how the land under our feet is lovingly nurturing us, unconditionally. I am always compelled by nature’s magical healing power. Drinking natural wine was new to me. The intimacy appears, in the moment the wine travels from your mouth to your body, and the aroma awakens all of your senses, then rises up your soul to connect with people, freely. I fell for it completely. All in.

It’s a lifestyle.

It’s connecting to people.

It’s the appreciation of nature.

So what’s the natural beauty of natural wine? Believe it or not, l have learned so much from the natural wine philosophy, in the way of growing up as a person. The world is more fun and colorful when people are allowed to have their own voices and expressions, and so is nature. The grapes of natural wine grow naturally without any unpleasant disturbances. It gives grapes unadulterated soil to grow, nurtured by only nature's gift and human care. “Nothing added, nothing taken away”, the motto of natural wine. Let the nature be, let nature keep her own expression, which is unique and beautiful without manipulation.

All of a sudden, I wish I was the grapes. I grew up with too much noise from society, too many judgments or boxes to keep me from being who I am. Added too many labels, stereotypes, bias, and took away the true powerful voice deep down in the heart, the way I wanna be, the expression of my existence. I want it all to be free. All I want is to be able to remove the mask and the barrier between people, no matter if it’s the frame, the prejudice, or the difference between people. Can we all follow our hearts, be the person who we truly are, connect, and celebrate life all together with others?

When I left the Gaillac wine region. I had grown up as a person, being awaken by Naturallwine. The seed of love, loving myself, loving others, was the last gift from Gaillac. Let myself be, let others be. The lessons I learned from natural wine was too beautiful. Wherever people come from, we all live in the lonely modern technological era, and we all crave for connection. Turns out we are not so different. We are all on the same page on this one.

Be part of the Naturallwine movement, and send a delicious invitation to your friends and family, to connect!  All together is the future for you and me.

Photography by Hsin Jou Chen

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To sincerly listen and understand others is one of the most powerful expression of love you can give to another, to yourself, and to the world.

Hsin Jou Chen

Potential Photographer / Writer

A 23 years old Taiwanese girl, took only her camera, courage, and open-mindness, set her feet on European land to explore lifestyle, culture, and new perspectives. Fascinated by the different ways of life. Energized by the beauty of mother nature and the meaningful connection of humankind.

Email: hsinyun.chen1129@gmail.com