PET NAT , Malvasia Sparkling Ancestral, Skin Contact Orange, Brut Nature 2023
Country
Italy
Region
Abruzzo
Producer
Orsogna
Grape(s)
Malvasia (100%)
Type
Sparkling
Style
Aromatic
Oaked Style
Unoaked
Body Style
Full bodied
Dry/Sweet Style
Dry
Alcohol Content
12.5%
Closure Style
Cork
Organic/Biodynamic
Biodynamic
Sustainable
Yes-certified sustainable
Vegetarian/Vegan
Vegetarian
Yes
Vegan
Yes
Allergens
Sulphites
Yes
Milk
No
Egg
No
Region
The mountainous Abruzzo region is on the east coast of central Italy, which is south of Marche and north of Puglia. The region has two distinct areas with the hillside vineyards having warm continental climate with cooling from the Apennine mountains and then the flatter coastal zone which has a warm Mediterranean climate. Abruzzo is home to the red Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, white Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC. Abruzzo mostly produces wines from Montepulciano but also Sangiovese, Pecorino and Passerina as well as more international varietals such as Chardonnay.
Producer
Cantina Orsogna is an award-winning Abruzzo cooperative specialising in native grapes of the region such as Montepluciano d`Abruzzo, Cococciola and Pecorino. Orsogna are committed to the biodynamic principles by which they make their wine and have many certified Demeter biodynamic wines. Under the brand Lunaria, they support the activities of the WWF LIFE Euroturtles project to protect turtles in the Mediterranean. The aim of the project is to improve the conservation status of the loggerhead turtle Caretta Caretta and the green turtle Chelonia Mydas.
Tasting Notes
An orange, biodynamic wine made using Method Ancestral: whole bunches of grapes are gently pressed to extract both the juice and indigenous yeasts from the grape`s skin. This is fermented in stainless steel tanks then bottled where it undergoes its second fermentation creating a gently sparkling wine. The wines are then aged with the yeasts remaining in the bottle which are visible. The yeasts give added complexity to this orange wine which was first left to rest on its skins to gain more flavour and character. The resulting wine is rich and textured, notes of dried apricots, candied ginger and orange peel combine with a creamy mouthfeel and persisstent bubbles.
Food
Move this wine around before opening to combine the yeasts with the wine, giving a cloudy appearence and more body or let them settle at the bottom of the bottle to keep the wine clear. However you decide to serve, this wine is an excellent accompaniment to fermented dishes such as kimchi or roasted aubergine with walnuts.