Unbottled – Azul Y Garanza Naturaleza Salvaje Orange

I had this bottle of orange wine in my cellar for a while now. So, it was the perfect bottle to open with friends at a wine tasting. Especially, when the bottle in question comes from Azul Y Garanza. One of my favourite producers from Spain, because of their excellent value for money.

Maria Barrena Belzunegui, her brother Fernando and Dani Sanchez Nogue founded Azul Y Garanza in 1999. They took over an old cooperative building from the bankruptcy estate in Carcastillo, Navarra. Some bush vines of the 15 ha vineyards are over 60 years old. They thrive in the desert climate of Europe’s last desert without irrigation. Wines ferment spontaneously at room temperature in traditional concrete tanks.

Some ‘orange’ and cider notes

The Naturaleza Salvaje Orange consists of Grenache blanc grapes fermented in amphoras. As far as possible, Azul Y Garanza do not interfere with the wine and bottle it unfiltered. A lot of apples, cider and citrus notes in the nose. Similar in the taste with overripe apples, citrus minerals and cider notes. Some noticeable tannins, but well integrated. Long aftertaste with again red apple notes. Natural, in a good way, tasting orange wine, but with well integrated tannins. Tasted from a Zalto Burgundy glass.