Orange & Skin Contact Wine
Aldo Viola “Brutto” Catarratto Vino Frizzante Ancestrale 2020
$27
ITALY : SICILY
Catarratto
MED-BODIED, PEAR, WHITE PEACH, CITRUS, HONEY, MINERAL, NO OAK
The Catarratto ‘Bruto’ is Alldo Viola’s first release of a sparkling wine made with an ancient method of finishing fermentation in bottle (aka, a pét-nat). The juice has undergone a bit of skin contact for texture, bubbles are pleasingly silky, and the aromas are lush, fruity, and mineral.
ECOLOGY: Biodynamic
PAIRING: I Am The Appetizer
Badalucco de la Iglesia Garcia Il Litro di Pierpaolo E Beatriz Vino Bianco NV
$26
ITALY : SICILY
Grillo
MED-FULL-BODIED, CANDIED CITRUS, APRICOT, OVERRIPE APPLE, WHITE PEPPER, USED OAK
100% Sicilian Grillo from the Contrada Triglia Cru (home to the best Grillo in Sicily, and therefore in the world)! Cloudy and bright amber in color, ‘Il Litro’ is a fuller-bodied orange wine with some nice tannic structure, intense citrus and apricot notes, and a wave of refreshing acidity. Grapes are hand-picked and pressed with feet; fermentation occurs via native yeasts with 10-12 days of skin contact; wine is aged on the lees in used French oak demi-muid (600L); unfined/unfiltered.
ECOLOGY : Organic / Biodynamic (Uncertified)
PAIRING : Sicilian Fish Stew
*Low Sulfite
Bojo do Luar Vinho Rosé Luar Rosa 2021
$18
PORTUGAL : VINHO VERDE : MINHO
Tinta Cão, Vinhão, Loureiro
LIGHT-BODIED, DRY, RED BERRY, GRAPEFRUIT, FLORAL, NO OAK
This cloudy, curious rose comes from an esteemed biodynamic producer in Vinho Verde pioneering experimental techniques such as the use of chestnut flowers in order to stabilize his wines ... pretty cool stuff. Soft red fruit, shining acidity, and a sharp, savory finish — here's a chance to try something equal parts different and delicious.
ECOLOGY Biodynamic & Low Sulfur
PAIR WITH : Whipped Cranberry Goat Cheese
Craven Wines Pinot Gris Stellenbosch 2021
$30
South Africa : Stellenbosch
Pinot Gris
MED-BODIED, CITRUS, WILD STRAWBERRY, PEACH FUZZ, ROSE PETAL, USED OAK
Forget that Stellenbosch isn’t exactly known for Pinot Gris: this minimal-intervention, skin-contact wine from Craven Wines allows the beautiful (and oft underappreciated) coppery/dark rose hues of the grape’s skins to shine as they should -- allowing clean red fruit, lively citrus, and pretty floral notes met with delicate, balanced tannins.
WINEMAKING : Fermentation occurs naturally on the skins; no additions other than a small amount of SO2; unfined and unfiltered.
ECOLOGY: Organic
PAIRING: Peppered Beef Jerky
Folk Machine Jeanne d'Arc 2021
Notify when available.
California : Santa Rosa
Chenin Blanc
DRY, FULL-BODIED, ALMOND, MELON, UNFILTERED, FUNK, NEUTRAL OAK
Effusive aromas of pear, melon, chamomile, and acacia on the nose. Plush with yellow plum skins and textured mineral on the palate. Finishes fresh with slight hints of blanched almond and sea spray. Hip and slightly funky orange wine!
ECOLOGY: Sustainable
PAIRING: Seafood & Pasta
Kobal Family Pinot Grigio 2022
$17
Slovenia : Posavje
Pinot Grigio
DRY, LIGHT-BODIED, TANNIN SKIN-CONTACT, RIPE ORCHARD FRUIT, NO OAK
Les Vins Pirouettes Binner & Compagnie Eros De David 2021
$23
FRANCE : ALSACE
Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sylvaner
MED-BODIED, ZESTY CITRUS, PEACH, APRICOT, MINERAL, SALINE, GLOU-GLOU, USED OAK
Christian Binner (maker of legendary “zero-zero” wines in Alsace for over 20 years) launched “Les Vins Pirouettes” to support small vignerons in making soulful, terroir-driven wines under their own names — a welcome alternative to selling their grapes to co-ops at criminally low prices. Each wine released from the collective is completely unique (and very limited) — generous and easy-to-drink, ‘Eros’ falls on the side of less funky and is a perfect orange wine for any drinker.
WINEMAKING : Low-intervention; hand-harvested grapes are destemmed & fermented on skins for 25 days; rests on fine lees for 8 months in foudre; unfined & unfiltered; no sulfur added
FARMING : Biodynamic
PAIRING : Zucchini Gratin with Yellow Squash
Metamorphika Catalunya Xarel-lo Brisat Orange 2021
$38
SPAIN : CATALONIA
Xarel-lo
MED-BODIED, ORANGE PEEL, DRIED APRICOT, PEACH, WHITE PEPPER, HONEY, NO OAK
Delicious, completely natural skin contact (aka “orange”) wine with nice acidity, some tannin & a touch of funk. 100% Xarel-lo grapes from 70 year old vines spend 8-14 weeks on the skins before spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in tinaja (clay), after which the wine spends ~3 months on the lees with weekly battonage, and then aged in the same amphora for 4 months before bottling in clay. Unfined & unfiltered, low sulfur.
PAIR WITH: Baked Asparagus w/Gruyère, Garlic, & Bacon
ECOLOGY: Organic
Vivanterre SGU 2021
$33
FRANCE : VIN DE FRANCE : AUVERGNE
Gewürtzraminer, Sylvaner, Grenache Gris, Ugni Blanc
MED-BODIED, FLORAL, CITRUS, TEA, GINGER, PEACH, MINERAL, FUNK, NO OAK
Vivanterre (“living earth”) is the ambitious and hugely successful endeavor of natural winemaker Patrick Bouju, fashion designer Rosie Assoulin, and sommelier Cedric Nicaise of Eleven Madison Park. To be honest, we’re pretty excited to have gotten our hands on just a few bottles of the highly-anticipated 2020 Orange Contact SGS, and gently suggest that you snap it up while it lasts. :)
ECOLOGY: Organic
FOOD PAIRING: Taco Tuesday
*No Added Sulfites