Aslina Chenin Blanc Skin Contact Stellenbosch 2024

Minimal intervention wine is wine made with as little manipulation as possible in the vineyard and the cellar. Producers typically farm organically or biodynamically, ferment with native yeasts, and limit additions such as sulphur, fining agents and filtration. There is no legal definition in the US, so practices vary by producer. Our Minimal Intervention collection brings together bottles from Austria, Chile, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine and the United States, from light reds to sparkling wines.

The terms overlap heavily and are often used interchangeably, but neither has a legal definition in the US. “Natural wine” usually signals the strictest approach, with no or very little added sulphur and no additives. “Minimal intervention” describes a philosophy of doing only what the wine needs, and some producers make small, targeted adjustments. Ask our team in Chelsea about any specific bottle.

Orange wine is white wine made like red wine: the grape skins stay in contact with the juice during fermentation, adding amber colour, texture and gentle tannin. It is richer and more savoury than a typical white, often with notes of dried apricot, tea and citrus peel. Not all orange wines are natural, and not all natural wines are orange. Try the Bonny Doon Le Cigare Orange from California or the Maturana Naranjo Torontel from Chile.

Pét-nat, short for pétillant naturel, is a sparkling wine bottled before its first fermentation has finished, so the bubbles form naturally in the bottle. It is lighter in fizz, fruitier and more rustic than Champagne, and is often cloudy and sealed with a crown cap. It suits aperitifs, brunch and casual dinners. Try the Aphros Phaunus Pét-Nat Rosé from Vinho Verde or the Domaine des Sanzay OSEZ Pét-Nat Rosé from the Loire.

Yes, all wine contains some sulphites because yeast produces them naturally during fermentation. Many minimal intervention producers add little or none, but levels vary by bottle. US labelling rules require a “contains sulfites” statement at 10 parts per million or more. If you are sensitive to sulphites, ask our team about a particular wine before you buy.

Yes, most styles taste best cooler than you might expect. Serve pét-nats and sparkling rosés at 6-8 C (43-46 F), orange and white wines at 10-13 C (50-55 F), and light chillable reds at 10-13 C (50-55 F). Cloudiness is normal in unfiltered wines and is not a fault. Stand the bottle upright for a few hours before opening and pour gently.

Start with approachable, fruit-forward styles like the Christina Kuhlbar Chillable Red 2025 ($20), a juicy Austrian red made to be served cool, or the Bonny Doon Le Cigare Orange 2024 ($22), a Rhône-inspired California orange wine. If you prefer bubbles, the Gaspard Bulles Sparkling Rosé NV ($27) is bright, bubbly and easy to love, while the Maturana Wines Naranjo Torontel Loncomilla ($29) is a textural skin-contact white from Chile. For something a little more structured, try the Nikolaihof Grüner Veltliner Zwickl ($37), an unfiltered, biodynamic Grüner from Austria’s Wachau. Not sure where to begin? Our team in Chelsea is happy to recommend a bottle based on what you usually drink.

You can buy minimal intervention wine at Community Wine & Spirits, 140 10th Avenue in Chelsea, New York City 10011, or order online from this collection. Bottles range from about $13 to $76, and you get 10% off when you buy 12 eligible wines. We offer free local delivery in Manhattan on orders over $75, ship to 40+ states, and have store pickup ready in about an hour. Call (646) 905-8000 or visit during opening hours: Monday 12pm-9pm, Tuesday-Wednesday 11am-9pm, Thursday-Friday 11am-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 12pm-8pm.