Style of the Month: Orange / Skin Contact

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

Merlot: Varietal of the Month

 

After years of being maligned due to the preferences of a grumpy character in the movie Sideways, Merlot is back. Again. Merlot never went away really, it’s just been patiently waiting for you to rediscover it’s many charms.

 

Dark and inky in in the glass, with soft to medium tannins, Merlot remains one of the most popular grape varieties. Flavors range from strawberry, red berry, plum, cedar, tobacco to blackberry, plum, and black cherry. Merlot is one of the primary grapes used in Bordeaux wine, and it is the most widely planted grape in the Bordeaux wine regions.

 

Merlot pairs well with Italian fare and also great with roasted meats, grilled veggies and many tomato based dishes.

 

Cast 2016 Merlot Windsor Oaks Vineyard Chalk Hill  

 

The Cast 2016 Merlot, Windsor Oaks Vineyard, Chalk Hill is dark garnet in the glass with aromas of black cherry, chocolate and hint of cedar. Flavors of blackberry, mulberry and mocha predominate with good acidity and a velvety mouth feel. Each sip builds upon the last with a long lingering finish. Pair with hearty lamb stew or lamb kabobs.

 

Colagrossi 2016 Merlot RRV, Sonoma County 

 

The Colagrossi 2016 Merlot from Russian River Valley is a bit of a chameleon at first. The pale ruby color shows a tinge of gold about the edges. At first, bright fruit notes of pomegranate and tart cherry dominate the palate, then as it opens it glides gracefully into a plush crush of dark berry fruits with a top note of vanilla and a intriguing touch of sage. Nice structure and good acidity make this Merlot a great prospect for pairing with rich cheesy lasagna. 

 

DeLoach 2018 Merlot Heritage Reserve 

 

Dark purple in the glass, the De Loach 2018 Merlot Heritage Reserve floats like a cloud across the palate. Soft and supple it’s full of dark plum and blueberry jam flavors with grounding notes of vanilla and candied violets. Long finish, with an edge of bay leaf linger on the palate. Pair with charcuterie board of pate, rich cheeses, salami, and grilled vegetables.

 

Hook and Ladder 2015 Merlot Los Amigos Ranch, Chalk Hill

 

The Hook and Ladder 2015 Merlot, Los Amigos Ranch, Chalk Hill is a sight to behold in the glass with a dark purple glow. A rich scent of mocha, violets and vanilla prevails and sets the stage for an earthy blend rhubarb, tobacco leaf and tart cherry on the palate.

Nice medium body with a good balance of fruit and acid. Pair with juicy lamb burgers.

 

Pedroncelli 2017 Merlot Bench Vineyards Dry Creek Valley 

 

Dark garnet color in the glass, the Pedroncelli 2017 Merlot, Bench Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley has velvety smooth tannins and dark fruit flavors. The aroma is floral but spicy with scents of violets and rosebud with a note of thyme. Flavors of ripe sugarplum, tart cherry, blueberry, and cedar notes fill the palate with vanilla and graphite on the finish.  

Pair with pork roast and apple, sage, mushroom stuffing for a festive occasion.

 

Taft Street 2017 Merlot Alexander Valley, Sonoma County 

 

The Taft Street 2017 Merlot is red garnet in color with scents of dusty rose petals and anise. Tart red raspberry and red cherry flavors on the approach settle into deep grounding notes of cedar, tobacco leaf, turtle truffle and chocolate. Medium body with fruity finish and stalky tannins. Pair with roast chicken and stuffed mushrooms.

 

This post first appeared on Along the Wine Road Blog here.