Orange wines aka skin-contact or amber wines are having a
moment. An ongoing moment that started 8,000 years ago. Simply put, orange
wines are white grape varieties made in the manner of red wines with extended
contact on the skins, resulting in wines full of texture that are both elegant
and complex as well as bright and quaffable. They range from light and bouncy
to deep and savory and pair exceptionally well with food.
Here are capsule reviews of Orange style wines you may find
along the Wine Road.
Anthesis Wines AllaVecia 2016 Falanghina Alder Springs Vineyard Mendocino County
You don’t come across too much Falanghina locally, but its’
thrill when you do. Falanghina lends itself well to orange style winemaking and
this example showcases the complexity of flavors. Deep dark amber in the glass,
the Anthesis Alla Vecia 2016 Falanghina is a delight with aromas of honey, mango,
dried pineapple and a touch of tomato leaf. On the palate, it’s lyrical and
layered with notes of citrus peel, and nutmeat, like almond. It has a long
lingering spicy clove finish. Pair with ceviche or garlic prawns.
ABV 12.5%
$
Breaking BreadMarmalade 2022 Skin Contact Wine
The Breaking Bread Marmalade 2022 Skin Contact Wine is a
many splendored thing composed of 70% Muscat Blanc, 15% Chardonnay and 15%
Sauvignon Blanc. In the glass the color is a soft butter yellow, like diffused sunlight.
It’s super bright and vibrant with a beguiling scent of orange blossoms,
grapefruit and honeysuckle. It smells so good you may be tempted to dab a bit at
your pulse points in lieu of fragrance – but resist the urge and pour a glass
instead. On the palate waves of savory flavor come though with mandarin and butterscotch,
ripe peach, and a sunny hit of gooseberry and grapefruit. It has a magical
quality and vitality that shimmers to a satisfying finish. Simply delicious! Pair
with California sushi rolls.
ABV 12.9%
$
CAST 2021 GrenacheBlanc Front Porch Farm Russian River Valley
The CAST 2021 Grenache Blanc, Front Porch Farm from Russian
River Valley is a light caramel color in the glass. On the nose, bright lemon
zest with peach preserves and honeysuckle. On the palate it’s juicy with subtle
notes of juniper and clove. As it opens and warms notes of jasmine tea, lemon
peel, eucalyptus and a captivating spicy linalool note as well. It’s ever
evolving in the glass. On the finish, notes of apple, grapefruit peel and
toasty almond. In short it’s an exciting kaleidoscope of flavors with great
vitality and harmony. Eminently pair-able, enjoy with Pad Thai.
ABV 13.3%
$36
DeLoach Vineyards 2021 Ribolla Gialla Russian River Valley SonomaCounty
The DeLoach Vineyards 2021 Ribolla
Gialla from Russian River Valley is light amber in color. On the nose, lemon and
thyme with a touch of brioche and honey. On the palate, great body and texture with
a cascade of flavor from orange marmalade, and marjoram, to notes of butterscotch.
The long finish is zesty with crisp apple and herbal tea and a pleasing note of
thyme. Enjoy now but with some age the flavors will develop and deepen. Pair
with chicken piccata with extra lemon and capers.
ABV 14.5%
$80