Spring, with its symphony of blooming flowers and longer, languid days, calls for wines that mirror its vibrancy and vitality. Enter the world of orange wines – a category that, with its rich hues and complex profiles, perfectly encapsulates the essence of springtime.
So, pour yourself a glass, sit back, and let us guide you through our top picks for orange wines this spring. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or new to the genre, there's never been a better time to explore the vibrant world of orange wines.
Wabi-Sabi: Orange Moon - Franz Hofstätter - 2022
In the realm of natural wines, Wabi-Sabi's Orange Moon emerges as a standout expression, capturing the essence of minimal intervention winemaking while showcasing the unique characteristics of its origin. Crafted from a thoughtful blend of predominantly Grüner Veltliner with a touch of Riesling.
The Orange Moon is distinguished by its method of production, where the grapes have been carefully macerated and fermented on the skins for only a few days. This technique is not merely about adding color; it extracts a richer array of aromas and introduces a structure to the wine that is both inviting and complex. The presence of light tannins, a result of this skin contact, adds an additional layer to the wine's personality, enhancing its character and depth.The aromatic profile surprises with of stone fruits, citrus zest, and a hint of herbal undertones.
Pierre Frick - "Rot Murlé" Riesling - 2020
The "Rot Murlé" Riesling 2020 by Pierre Frick is a captivating white wine that offers a pure and complex experience, characteristic of Alsace's terroir. This wine is made entirely from Riesling grapes, grown in a biodynamic vineyard that prides itself on a calcareous soil rich in iron.
Pierre Frick, a pioneer in biodynamic winemaking since the early 1980s, has crafted this Riesling to reflect his deep commitment to natural wine production. The "Rot Murlé" undergoes spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts and is aged for six months in ancient oak barrels, ensuring minimal intervention and preserving the wine's natural essence. This process enhances the wine's aromatic complexity, combining notes of flint, citrus, almond, and crisp green apple. It evolves on the palate, starting with an intense citric freshness that gradually unveils its nuanced flavors.
Fuoripista - Foradori - 2021
Foradori's Fuoripista Pinot Grigio 2021 stands as a testament to the winery's dedication to natural winemaking, heralding from the verdant valleys of Trentino, Italy.
Distinguished by its extended skin contact of over eight months in Tinajas, traditional clay amphorae, the Fuoripista Pinot Grigio veers off the beaten path of typical white wine production. This technique enriches its complexity, imbuing it with a spectrum of unexpected flavors and aromas. The wine's profile is a harmonious blend of camphor and forest strawberries on the nose, evolving into a palate marked by flinty nuances and a hint of salinity, revealing layers of white peach, hibiscus, and rose.The finish is both deep and resonant, showcasing a decadent soul with robust tannins.
Such depth is a reflection of the alluvial and gravel soils of Campo Rotaliano, where the vineyard lies nestled. With a production limited to 10,000 bottles annually, this wine encapsulates Foradori's ethos of interpreting the grape's essence through the lens of its terroir.
Grecorange - Conestabile della Staffa - 2022
The Grecorange by Conestabile della Staffa, vintage 2022, is an intriguing expression of Grechetto, a grape variety that thrives in the heart of Italy's Umbria region. This orange wine is crafted from old vines, aged between 40 to 70 years, and undergoes 20 days of skin-contact fermentation and aging in fiberglass, a method that enhances its unique character without the influence of wood.
Grecorange presents a beautifully balanced profile, characterized by aromas of Mediterranean herbs and oranges. On the palate, it reveals a slightly tannic texture, yet remains juicy and vibrant with a zesty acidity, inviting sip after sip. This wine stands as a testament to the skill and philosophy of Danilo Marcucci, who oversees the winemaking at Conestabile della Staffa. Marcucci, known for his dedication to natural winemaking, utilizes no chemical corrections or sulfur, and eschews modern technology to create wines that are a pure expression of the terroir and the grape.
Nimbus Ritinitis - Kamara Estate - 2021
The Nimbus Ritinitis 2021 from Kamara Estate is a unique take on the traditional Greek Retsina, made entirely from Assyrtiko grapes, renowned for their resilience and aromatic complexity. This orange wine is produced in Northern Greece, specifically on the slopes of Kamara, Oraiokastro Thessaloniki. The winemaking process involves maceration of the skins with the must for 5-8 days at a low temperature, which is somewhat traditional for orange wines but distinct for Retsina due to the addition of high-quality pine resin from Evia's mountains during fermentation.This ancient technique infuses the wine with its characteristic resinous notes while maintaining the grape's natural aromatics.
Tasting notes for the Nimbus Ritinitis highlight its bright yellow to amber color, with an intense nose that showcases thyme, lavender, oregano, and ginger. On the palate, it delivers herbal and vegetal notes, with a pronounced expression of bergamot and kumquat, complemented by the resin and thyme. It boasts balanced acidity, contributing to a fruity and herbal long-lasting aftertaste.
Kamara Estate's approach to winemaking, as demonstrated with Nimbus Ritinitis, emphasizes minimal intervention, organic and biodynamic practices.This wine stands as a testament to the winery's commitment to crafting distinctive, high-quality natural wines that speak of their unique terroir and innovative winemaking philosophy.
Borac - Rojac Uros - 2020
An exceptional orange wine produced in Slovenia, showcasing a collaboration between winemaker Uroš Rojac and caterer Boris Novak. This wine reflects a deep commitment to traditional methods, using 100% Malvasia grapes to create a medium-bodied, dry style that carries the heritage and innovation of Slovenian Istria. The wine is characterized by its vibrant orange color and a complex profile, noted for balsamic tensions, fresh mineral sensations, and a variety of fruit skins on the nose. The palate enjoys a sapidity with round and long tannins, creating a wine of significant personality.
For those intrigued by the innovative yet traditional approach to winemaking and the rich history behind the Borac - Rojac Uros 2020, exploring this wine offers an insightful glimpse into Slovenian wine culture and the creative endeavors of its producers.
