I Just Love Wine: A Natural Wine Lover’s Guide to Choosing, Pairing, and Enjoying
Why I Just Love Wine
There’s no complicated thesis here, no grand manifesto. I just… love wine.
White, red, orange, pink. Wine with bubbles and wine without. Wine served so cold the glass fogs up, and wine that’s warm enough to wrap you in its arms. I love the pop of a cork, the glug into the glass, the way light catches in the swirl. I love wine that’s complex and mysterious, and wine that’s simply delicious without asking you to work too hard for it.
For me, wine isn’t about showing off or ticking boxes on some sommelier’s list. It’s about pleasure. About the way a glass can turn an ordinary Tuesday into something worth remembering. It’s not a test you have to pass. It’s an invitation.
How to Pick a Wine (When There’s Too Much Choice)
The thing about wine is there’s a lot of it. The shelves are full, and the language can be intimidating. So here’s my rule: you don’t need to know everything—you just need to know what you like. And if you’re not sure yet? Even better. That means you get to explore.
Ask questions. Describe what you’re in the mood for. “Something that tastes like summer,” “something juicy but not too heavy,” “something I can drink all night without feeling it’s too much.” These aren’t silly questions—they're helping guide you to the wine you love. Good wine people know how to follow them.
One of my favourite tricks is to take a photo of a wine I’ve enjoyed and show it to whoever’s helping me choose my next bottle. In a bar. In a shop. In a restaurant. They’ll usually know something with a similar vibe.
And honestly? Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know all the terminology. I certainly don't. No one came into this world knowing the difference between Carignan and Grenache. Curiosity will get you further than pretense every time.
Forget the Rules (Mostly)
The wine world loves its rules—what to drink with chicken, what works with fish, what you “should never” do. I say: drink what you love, with whatever you’re eating. That’s the joy of wine.
Yes, a crisp white with oysters is magic. Yes, a peppery Syrah with slow-cooked lamb is a kind of perfection. But I’ve also had sparkling rosé with a roast chicken and it was delicious. I’ve had earthy reds with summer tomatoes and thought, “Well, that works.” If it tastes good to you, it’s right.
The best pairing? Whatever mood you're in.
Why Natural Wine Has My Heart
At Taste Union, we work with small winemakers who treat their land like it’s part of the family. No chemicals, no unnecessary additives—just grapes, care, and time. That’s not a marketing line, it’s just a way of working. And yes, “natural wine” can sometimes come with baggage: debates over definitions, hipster clichés, even the odd funky bottle that’s more conversation starter than crowd pleaser.
But when it’s good? Then it is really good. It’s alive in the glass, telling the story of where it came from and the people who made it. It’s the opposite of generic supermarket wine—it has character, sometimes a little wildness, always a sense of place.
Wine Is Meant to Be Enjoyed
Somewhere along the way, wine got tangled up with status and competition—points, trophies, rarity. That’s never been my style. I think wine is at its best when it’s shared. Around a table with those you love, on a blanket in the park, at the kitchen counter while you prep dinner and talk about your day.
There’s no prize for “best wine drinker.” No one’s keeping score. It’s about how it makes you feel, and who you get to share it with.
So… Where to Start With Natural Wine?
If you’re new to natural wine, start with something that sounds delicious to you. Maybe that’s a bright, citrusy white. Maybe it’s a juicy red or a light red you can try chilled. Maybe it’s a bottle with a label that makes you smile—yes, it's perfectly ok to make your choice like that. Make your own rules.
Better yet, come to one of our tastings. You’ll meet the wines before you commit, get to ask all the “is this a stupid question?” questions (spoiler: there’s no such thing), and discover new favourites.
Wine doesn’t have to be complicated to be good. It just has to make you want that second glass.
And that’s really my point. I love wine. I love what it does for a meal, for a moment, for a mood. I love the stories behind the bottles, the hands that made them, the places they come from. I love that there’s always more to discover.
So whether you’re into skin-contact orange, old-school Bordeaux, or sparkling pet-nats that feel like a party in your mouth—pull a cork, pour a glass, and enjoy it. Not because it’s “the right wine” for the occasion, but simply because it’s the wine you want to drink.