Where to buy natural wines online in Singapore
Whether you’re after Pet Nat or a natural Pinot, we’ve got you covered for natural wine online
Text: Sarah T
When Singapore entered phase one of circuit breaker, the most frequent question among this writer’s 30-something age group was, “Have you stocked up on wine yet?” While bricks and mortar stores waited with bated breath to see if they’d be okay to stay in operation as an ‘essential service’ (spoiler alert: they were not), some online wine stores started immediately listing on food delivery platforms such as Grab and FoodPanda or launched ordering services via WhatsApp.
Unsurprisingly, retailers saw a spike in wine sales and attributed much of this to an increase in online purchasing. But for the slightly more virtuous — some begrudgingly converted after weeks of continuous lockdown drinking — the thirst for natural wines needed to be quenched.
What makes wine natural?
Natural wine is more of a concept than a well-defined category. The general consensus is that it refers to wine made purely from unadulterated fermented grape juice — the winemakers don’t intervene with the process or spray the fruit with pesticides, therefore natural wines are sometimes referred to as ‘low-intervention’ wine, ‘naked’ wine, or ‘raw’ wine.
Natural winemakers also handpick their grapes instead of relying on machines to harvest them, and they rely on native yeast to set off natural fermentation. Conventional winemakers, on the other hand, may use additives such as sugar, acid, egg white and more as part of the winemaking process. Many also add additional sulfites in order to help keep wines stable and prevent spoilage.
Is natural better for your health and the planet?
Some argue that the natural winemaking process is better for the planet because of the lack of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides that purportedly bring damage the health of the soil. However, this doesn’t mitigate the carbon footprint of the supply chain, particularly in a country like Singapore where essentially all wine travels long distances to get to us. The lack of additives may also be seen by some as healthier. Many Asians’ intolerance to alcohol tends to be caused by sulfites and other preservatives, potentially making natural wines a better option. Suffice to say, it’s a grey area but we prefer to take little steps and celebrate small wins.
We were relieved to find a number of expertly curated online bottle shops focusing on natural wines here in Singapore, some launched in the midst of the pandemic. Find our favourites below and as always, drink responsibly.
Credit: Brown Bag Wines
Brown Bag Wines
Founder Aivonne Chong told us that Brown Bag Wines was a happy accident. The corporate climber turned business owner paid a visit to RAW Wine Fair in London and fell in love with the natural wine industry, where she witnessed a special comradery among independent winemakers. Brown Bag Wines has been bringing a tightly curated range of minimal intervention wines to Singapore for three years and their Organic Wine Club has found fans across the island. They are also a part of the Zero Waste Packaging Initiative, a ground-up movement to encourage businesses to adopt a circular packaging system. Sustainability is the name of their game and we’re definitely raising a glass to that.
Order via https://brownbagwines.co. Delivery fee is a flat SGD 15 and available every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Credit: @rawwinesg
RAW Wine
RAW in this case stands for Real Authentic Wines. The team behind F&B industry’s favourite wine bar, RVLT, has always had B2B distribution and we’re very glad that the #cbwineuncles’ selection is now online. Sort of. Follow them on Instagram for a peek at their latest bottles. You can pick your own but we’re fans of their Wine Bingo Boxes which come in pre-selected a pack of six, complete with tasting notes. Hassle-free and delicious!
Order via direct message on Instagram or Whatsapp +65 9388 1436.
Credit: @drunkenfarmer_sg
Drunken Farmer
Originally a travelling pop-up bar by homegrown lifestyle experts the Spa Esprit Group, Drunken Farmer now has arguably the largest range of natural wines available online in Singapore. Calling themselves ‘natural wine preachers’, their selection of Orange, White, Red, Sparkling and Rosé has been handpicked by sommelier Eduardo Bayo, who comes from a family of natural wine makers and has over 20 years of food and beverage experience. Sort their picks by specific farmers or choose your preferred varietal, but either way we guarantee you’ll find a new grape-to-glass bottle to love.
Order via https://drunkenfarmer.sg. Free delivery on orders above SGD 100.
Credit: @straitswinecompany
Straits Wine
Every local wine fan will be familiar with The Straits Wine Company. After all, they have been one of the region’s leading wine importers for years. Straits Wine’s dizzying array of options might make decision making a bit tougher, but now we go straight for their SNOB range, which is an acronym for ‘Sustainable, Natural, Organic and Biodynamic’. As a bonus, they also have a small selection of SNOB spirits if you’re in the mood for a cocktail. Need a bottle in a pinch? Pop into one of their eight outlets across Singapore and browse their shelves.
Order via https://straitswine.com. Free delivery on orders above SGD 100.
Credit: That Wine Is Mine
That Wine Is Mine
New kid on the block That Wine Is Mine (TWIM) makes the experience of discovering natural wine fun, accessible and fuss-free. A story rooted in the friendship between the four co-founders (two of whom run a design studio responsible for branding the likes of Nouri, Cloudstreet and Mandala Club), the passionate team at TWIM are eager to share their knowledge and joy of natural wine. TWIM simplifies the process through curated box sets, of which there are currently three available: Classic, Groovy, and Glou Glou, each designed to fit one’s mood and taste preferences. Sounds right up our alley.
Order via https://thatwineismine.sg. Free same day delivery for orders before 3pm.
