2020 Il Farneto “Giandon Orange” Malvasia

Responsibly Farmed
Hidden Gem
Geeky

This skin-contact natural wine made from a tiny biodynamic estate in Emilia-Romagna is the perfect summer brunch wine. It’s funky, aromatic and textured – everything you want in an orange wine.

Certified biodynamic farming practices, native yeast fermentation, unfined, unfiltered, minimal added sulfites, vegan-friendly!

Orange
  • Tasting Notes nectarine, grapefruit, apricot, red apple, yellow flowers, white tea
  • Variety Malvasia
  • Region Italy, Emilia-Romagna
  • Volume 750ml
  • Alcohol Volume 11.5%
  • Table Talk This spent almost 3 weeks on skins which gives the wine just a touch of tannin!

$24.00

Out of stock

During the ’90s M. Bertoni founded Il Farneto, a naturally cultivated vineyard. His intent was to contribute to sustainable agriculture initiatives, producing grapes while respecting the environment. He has 34 hectares of land, 8 of which are vineyards, located between the hills of Scandiano and Canossa. Even though Farneto fields are relatively close to the residential area of Castellarano and Sassuolo, thanks to their elevation they preserve a particularly isolated position. Additionally, the terroir presents a wide variety of biodiversity thanks to its favorable microclimate temperatures. Farneto fields naturally lend themselves to biodynamic agriculture. The quality of Farneto grapes perfectly suit an organic vinification process.

Orange wine is having a moment, yet there’s still quite a bit of confusion surrounding this unique style of winemaking. Skin-contact vinification (otherwise known as orange wine) has been around since ancient times, and despite falling out of fashion for most of the 20th century, the style is coming back with a bang. Curious to learn more? Check out the ins and outs of orange winemaking, plus five of our favorite bottles, here.

What Is Orange Wine?

Orange wine is a style of wine that incorporates vinifying white wine grapes using red winemaking techniques. Normally, white wine grapes are immediately pressed after harvest, meaning that they spend no time on their skins, whereas red wine grapes are crushed and macerated / soaked prior to pressing. This process of allowing the juice to remain in contact with the skins adds texture, tannins, and pigment to final wines. When done with white grapes, the resulting wines range in hue from light gold to dark copper and span a myriad of flavors.

What Does Orange Wine Taste Like?

The exact flavor profiles of orange wines fall all over the spectrum, as grape variety, maceration time, and vinification techniques all play major roles in how a final wine tastes. Generally speaking, orange wines tend to have more weight than your average white wine and are marked by varying levels of tannins. Common flavors found in orange wines are bruised fruits, pithy citrus, fresh cut herbs, sweet spice, and beyond.

Why Is Orange Wine So Popular?

There’s no denying that orange wine is certainly having its moment in the sun. These tasty wines are produced all over the world from a handful of interesting producers, and their versatility in style covers a broad spectrum of palate preferences. These wines are also somewhat of a happy medium between red and white, in that they’re textured enough to satisfy the bold red wine lover, yet also remain light enough on their feet to please white wine drinkers. Basically, when produced at the right hands, orange wines simply offer the best of both worlds!

Which Type of Drinker Would Love Orange Wine?

Because orange wine is crafted from a variety of grapes and in a handful of different styles, there is truly an orange wine out there for everyone. For those looking for something intense and grippy, seek out an example that spends extended periods of time on the skins. For curious drinkers looking to get their toes wet, we recommend seeking out wines with shorter maceration times.

When Should I Drink Orange Wine?

Orange wine is perfect for year-round sipping, though we especially love it in the summer. The wines’ bright and vibrant flavors are perfect for pairing with fresh summer appetizers, including grilled seafood, fermented kimchi, and Mediterranean-inspired mezze (hummus, tabouleh, and beyond).