Just in time for the weekend, we’ve added four new bottles to our orange wine lineup – liters from Italy and Austria, as well as selections from Greece and Portugal. Check them out below and shop in-store daily from 11AM to 8PM. If you prefer, reserve your wine online for easy pickup!
First, a brief crash course on orange wine. Orange wine contains no orange, and is not exclusively made of a single grape variety. Take white grapes, mash them, and place the grapes – juice, skin and seeds – in a container, typically made of stone or clay, to ferment. Additives are usually not part of the equation, so the result is often tart and/or nutty – think wild ale in wine’s clothing.
Now, for the recent additions:
Sfera “Macerato” (Puglia, Italy)
Sfera is a collaboration between several small certified-organic farmers, producing liters in limited releases. Each release showcases a different producer from a different region. This run is made from Verdeca, an indigenous grape in Puglia. With juicy dried pear and dried lime zest notes, it’s light on the funk factor, making it a nice introduction to orange wine for first-timers. Enjoy it with white pizza, Mexican fare and seafood.
Papras Bio Wines Orange Roditis Pleiades (Greece)
Another certified organic selection, Papras’ orange wine is made from the rosy-hued Roditis grape. Golden in color and very aromatic, this one is all about citrus, minerality, salinity and a waxy texture. Try it with fish or soft cheese.
Familie Bauer Grüner Veltliner “Hollotrio” (Austria)
Certified organic and made entirely from Grüner Veltliner grapes, this is another easy-drinking orange wine that’s light on funk. Juicy melon and pear with a floral touch and zippy, refreshing acidity. Pairs well with spring-y green vegetables like asparagus, peas and watercress.
Quinta do Regueiro Secreto Alvarinho Reserva (Portugal)
100% Alvarinho with a fruity, perfumed nose. There’s a rich, creamy texture balanced with bright acidity. Hints of mineral and candied orange peel. Perfect with fresh seafood and salads.
