Low intervention wines explained

Kevin and Hugo visiting Austrian winemakers, Aug '24

Kevin Barbary works with Les Caves de Pyrene, one of the foremost wine companies supplying low intervention wines to restaurants. What does he think low intervention means?

“For me it is more of a philosophy than anything else. Some years ago there was a huge embracing of so-called natural wines. The idea behind this movement was that nature in all its glory should largely be left alone. So there was no spraying, minimal activity in the vineyard, minimal activity in the winery and what ended up in the bottle could be amazing, but also pretty funky.

To this day it is the funkiness that many people find a challenge. Which is why we focus on low-intervention. The idea here is to work with nature and the land, but to also intervene when necessary.

So almost all our wines are either organic, biodynamic, or following the principles of. As importers however, what is most important is how the wine tastes in the glass. It needs to be nice! But more importantly than that it needs to speak of itself, feel alive. I want to really feel the person behind the wine. It is that sense of urgency I look for.

Some of our wines I like more than others but behind them all is a person and I respect and enjoy what is ultimately a journey of sorts.

Les Caves is focused on wines tasting of where they are from, they need to be in touch with the land in a real sense. We also want to actually taste the variety of the grape, it is never ‘just a grape’. And tradition is important.”

Kevin’s favourite wines from our current list? For me the Domaine Frantz Saumon Chenin Blanc from the Loire is unbelievable. All mineral richness and with an acidity that perfectly balances. On the reds, a lovely the summer fun contained in the L’Hurluberlu, Domaine Sebastien David. It tastes every bit of the Loire, all elegance and poise but not too serious. Summer in a glass and so good when chilled.