Master the art of making drinks at home with our expert tips , tricks and trends .
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Roberto Colombi
AND THE MARCHE BIANCO “ COCCIO ” 2018
Roberto Colombi co-owns Union Kitchen & Bar in Wilton Manors , FL , with his wife Christie Tenaud . He is the lead sommelier and oversees front-of-house operations , while Christie is the restaurant ’ s chef .
For the past few months , I ’ ve been fascinated by orange wine , specifically the 2018 Marche Bianco IGT , “ Coccio ,” Filodivino , Italy . Some say this is a new trend , and while there is some truth to this , it is important to know that orange wine has been around longer than imagined .
This type of wine is not made from oranges , but rather from white wine grapes that are fermented in amphoras or ceramic vats for a longer period of time . They are made by leaving the grape skins and seeds in contact with the juice , giving the wine its
orange-hue color . This process is very non-interventionist and leads to a more “ natural ” wine .
Historically , orange wine has been around for thousands of years , and its origin is from the country of Georgia in Eastern Europe . In Italy , it has been around for centuries , but the popularity started to decline in the 1960s .
Presently , there are several producers from California , Italy , Slovenia , Georgia , Austria and more that are reviving this historical wine . A good example is the pinot grigio ramato .
When translated , ramato means coppery , which is basically a regular pinot grigio that was left in contact with its gray-blue color skin for quite some time . The flavor profile is often more robust and bolder with nutty characteristics of almonds , Brazil nut and hazelnut , as well as fruit like bruised apple , orange peel and honeyed aromas . Orange wine pairs well with many dishes , from the grilled octopus , crispy pork belly tacos and grilled pork chop on our menu at Union Kitchen & Bar , to swordfish , rotisserie chicken and soft cheeses .
The Marche Bianco “ Coccio ” 2018 from Filodivino , a winemaker in the Marche region of Italy , comes from vines that are over 50 years old and is certified organic . It has a honeyed , orange-peel bouquet on the nose , and the palate is big , dry , minerally and yet well rounded with aromas of bruised apple , sour dough , hazelnut and pecan nut .
Master the art of making drinks at home with our expert tips , tricks and trends .
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