Ancestrale Malvasia Orange - Lunaria

In the glass, Ancestrale Malvasia Orange - Lunaria presents itself in an intense, radiant amber with fine golden reflections. The deep colour is reminiscent of dried apricots, candied orange peel and beeswax. Even at the first swirl, a beguiling fragrance rises, setting the stage for a profound orange wine experience.

On the nose, a complex interplay of ripe peach, dried apricot and candied citrus fruit unfolds. Joining this is the characteristic scent of toasted wood, reminiscent of fresh bread crust, roasted aromas and a hint of smoke. Delicate notes of acacia honey, linden blossom and chamomile form a floral crown, while a touch of herbs such as sage and thyme provides depth. In the background, a fine minerality shimmers, evoking wet stone and warm sand.

On the palate, Ancestrale Malvasia Orange - Lunaria reveals its full character. The texture appears creamy, almost velvety, with good drive and firm structure. The tannins come from the contact of the skins with the must and present themselves as grippy, fine and precise. The acidity appears fresh and well-integrated, carrying the ripe fruit and bringing tension to every sip. The taste remains distinctly dry, while being very aromatic and dense.

The aromas on the palate are reminiscent of juicy vineyard peach, orange zest, ripe nectarine and candied lemon peel. Added to this are hints of honey, dried blossoms and subtle notes of tea and spices, such as white pepper and a touch of turmeric. The influence of wood appears through notes of toast, vanilla and fine nuttiness. This creates a multi-layered impression that opens up further with every sip.

The style of the wine is clearly typical of orange wine and at the same time very elegant. The structure shows power, tannin and extract, while the wine remains animating and lively. The body lies in the medium to full range, the creamy texture glides softly over the palate. The finish is long, with notes of tea, dried peach, honey and a hint of mandarin peel.

The Malvasia Bianca grape variety from Veneto here displays its aromatic strength. Typical of Malvasia are pronounced fruit, floral nuances and a special, slightly spicy character. The proximity of the vineyards to cooler air currents from the hinterland provides freshness, while the many hours of sunshine allow the grapes to ripen thoroughly. Calcareous and partly gravelly soils contribute structure, minerality and a dry, clear drive.

The strengths of this orange wine are revealed on several sensory levels that harmonize with one another.

• Intense amber appearance with golden reflections
• Complex bouquet with peach, honey, toasted wood and herbs
• Creamy texture, grippy tannins and fresh, supporting acidity
• Long, multi-layered finish with tea and citrus notes
• Organic, vegan and stylistically clearly anchored in the orange wine universe

For everyday enjoyment and special moments, Ancestrale Malvasia Orange - Lunaria proves to be astonishingly versatile. The following overview shows suitable occasions on which this wine shines ideally.

1. Experimental dinners with friends and fine-food enthusiasts
2. Degustations of natural wines and orange wines
3. Creative food pairings in modern cuisine
4. As a characterful conversation wine in the evening
5. As an original gift for wine lovers with a spirit of discovery

Production of Ancestrale Malvasia Orange by Lunaria

The grapes for this wine come from Veneto in Italy. The area benefits from warm days and cooler nights, so the freshness of the fruit is preserved. The soils in the vineyards feature limestone, clay and gravel, which give Malvasia Bianca structure, minerality and depth. Organic-certified cultivation focuses on working close to nature, resulting in vibrant vines with expressive fruit.

Malvasia Bianca is one of the classic Mediterranean aromatic grape varieties. It brings ripe peach, floral notes and a charming spiciness. In the orange wine style, this variety reveals even more character, as the juice remains in contact with the skins for a longer time. This creates a wine with tannin, depth and an almost tea-like structure.

The harvest is selective in order to bring only fully ripe and aromatic grapes into the cellar. A pre-selection already takes place in the vineyard, followed by another sorting when the berries are brought in. This ensures that only clean, ripe grapes end up in the fermentation vessel. A rather late harvest date provides ripe fruit and dense aromatics.

In the cellar, the whole berries or lightly crushed grapes are mashed. The must remains on the skins for an extended period, which forms the basis for the orange wine style. During this maceration time, pigments, tannins and aromas are extracted from the berry skins. Fermentation takes place spontaneously or with sensitively used cultured yeasts in stainless steel tanks or neutral vessels, at controlled cool temperatures for freshness and clarity.

After fermentation, the wine matures further on the fine lees. This lees phase lends the creamy texture and additional complexity. Occasional stirring of the lees, the so-called bâtonnage, provides more fullness and a soft, melting mouthfeel. Part of the wine matures in contact with wood, which supports the notes of toasted wood, vanilla and nuts and gives the wine a fine framework of structure and spice.

Before bottling, gentle filtration is carried out to preserve the character of the orange wine. Bottling in 0.75-litre bottles with cork rounds off the artisanal approach. The result appears authentic, terroir-driven and clearly focused on expression and depth. The philosophy of Lunaria and the Cooperativa Olearia Vinicola Orsogna is oriented towards natural winemaking with precise quality in the glass.

Serving recommendations for Ancestrale Malvasia Orange by Lunaria

Ancestrale Malvasia Orange is ideally suited as a food partner for creative cuisine with intense flavours. Thanks to tannin, structure and spice, this wine accompanies dishes where classic white wines often reach their limits. The combination with oriental, Mediterranean and modern bistro cuisine is particularly appealing.

The wine pairs very well with marinated vegetable variations featuring aubergine, zucchini and bell pepper, preferably with herbs and a touch of smoke from the grill. It also reveals its full potential with matured goat’s cheese or semi-hard cheeses. The tannins pick up the structure of the cheese, while the fruit loosens the aroma.

For fish, the wine is recommended when robust preparations are on the plate, such as fried octopus with chickpeas or cod with saffron and fennel. Spicy curries with coconut, chickpeas and sweet potato also accompany this orange wine very harmoniously. Vegetarian cuisine with mushroom risotto, fried king oyster mushrooms or ravioli with pumpkin in sage butter gains even more depth through the wine.

As an aperitif, Ancestrale Malvasia Orange is convincing when small bites with character are already prepared. Antipasti platters with olives, pickled vegetables, matured cheese and spicy dips are ideal. In a multi-course menu, it is recommended as a pairing for aromatic starters or as a wine for robust intermediate courses.

The ideal serving temperature is around ten to twelve degrees. A bit of air is beneficial for the wine, so it is advisable to pour it into a small carafe some time before enjoyment. A classic white wine glass with a slightly bulbous shape brings out the aromas and the creamy texture very well.

In the first years after bottling, the wine presents itself particularly lively and aromatically open. Several years of storage in a cool, dark cellar will develop further nuances of tea, dried fruit and spice. In this way, Ancestrale Malvasia Orange accompanies discerning connoisseurs on many occasions, from a relaxed evening to a fine dinner.

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