Organic and biodynamic wines have come a long way here in Singapore, what with the success of the likes of wine bar RVLT that’s pushed the boundaries with its vigorous focus on natural wines. Then there’s wine merchant The Straits Wine Company pushing sustainable wines on its newish online platform Peace of Vino, too, helping to spread the natural wine gospel.

But you know that the tide truly begins to turn when F&B outlets start looking seriously at such wines; natural wine lovers rejoiced when French-Japanese restaurant Lewin Terrace started stocking an impressive amount of biodynamic wines, even holding regular full moon wine parties. Then there’s Open Farm Community, which just announced the start of a full transition of its wine list to wholly embrace natural wines.

Perhaps Open Farm Community’s move towards natural wines shouldn’t be all too surprising, considering that Cynthia Chua, the founder of Spa Esprit Group – which owns and runs Open Farm Community – has recently been very enamoured with urban farming and using local produce. But in this case helping lay that groundwork would be Kampong French, Open Farm Community’s current collaboration with nomadic culinary collective Paris Popup. As part of the takeover, Paris Popup co-founder, sommelier and natural wine advocate Laura Vidal (pictured above) has introduced an entire slew of organic and biodynamic wines from winemaking regions around the world to pair with the contemporary dishes offered by her chef co-founder Harry Cummins.

Some of the wines were specially brought in by Paris Popup.

For the period of the popup running from Monday, 13 November 2017 to Sunday, 3 December 2017,  you can expect to see a burgeoning list of natural wines at Open Farm Community. This ranges from sparkling wines such as the Franck Massard NV ($74++ per bottle, $13++ for a glass), a cava brut nature from Catalunya, Spain, to full-bodied reds such as the Shiraz and Mourvedre blend Tom Shobbrook 2014 Tommy Ruff ($135++ a bottle) from Australia’s Barossa Valley.

Our top picks? Go for the Dominique Andiran 2016 Vain de Ru ($88++) from the southwest of France which is a white blend of various native French varietals – Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Muscadelle, Petit Courbut, and Sauvignon Gris. Alternatively opt for the Domaine Des Sarradels Al Canon 2016 ($95++ per bottle, $16++ a glass) vinified from Macabeu, Grenache Gris and Carignan Blanc that boasts a stupendous aroma and a rounded, textured palate.

If Open Farm Community heeds Vidal’s expert advice, its soon-to-be-finalised wine list should be quite the poster child for the natural wine movement here in Singapore.

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