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Spontaneous fermentation

Fermentation using yeasts already present, without adding a selected yeast culture to start it.

Explained simply

Here fermentation starts with yeasts already living on the grapes or in the cellar. The winemaker does not add a selected starter yeast.

Sources: Natural wine without myths

In more detail

Spontaneous fermentation begins without an added cultured yeast. Different resident yeasts may become active in sequence, so the process and result can be less predictable. Careful cellar control still matters; spontaneous does not mean unattended.

Sources: Natural wine without myths

What to look for

Look for an explicit producer statement. Words such as natural or artisanal do not prove spontaneous fermentation.

Sources: Natural wine without myths

Read in the journal A barnyard or medicinal smell in natural wine can hide the fruit — guests do not have to drink it bravely. Explained in context in our article about natural wine.

Sources

  1. Natural wine without myths ·

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