Bianca

What riverside party could survive without Nadia Verrua's gorgeous orange? This is comfort wine in the best sense - everything just works. Sure, it's not trying to blow your mind with complexity, but it's friendly and approachable in that confident way that doesn't need to shout. Pleasurable without being simple, holding just enough depth to keep you interested between conversations. (Almost) clean, tasty, unpretentious, free from the funky showing-off that too many orange wines fall into. This is a wine that knows exactly what it is and shows up ready to please.

Lately, it somehow always ends up with more than one bottle of this wine being opened - and honestly, I don't mind. Everything here just works. It might not be overly complex, but it's friendly and easy to understand in the best possible way. Pleasurable to drink, yet not flat - it holds a certain depth. Tasty, unpretentious, and free from unnecessary funk. A wine that simply knows how to show up.

Turns out I misunderstood Naida during our last meeting, but I had the chance to ask her in person, and it turns out she does plan to keep making this wine - there just won't be a 2024 release due to bad weather.

As for the wine itself - I really love this orange. There's some Muscat in the blend, but not enough to dominate, though it does lend a bright, expressive aromatics. It's slightly funky, but nothing too wild - just an easygoing, friendly, and incredibly drinkable wine. Dried herbs, peaches, canned pineapple, candy, and peach-flavoured yogurt. The VA is beautifully woven in. This wine just makes you crave summer. Lovely.

While Nadia has her reasons for discontinuing this wine, it's indeed a shame as it truly is delicious. It might not stand out in a blind tasting, but its charm lies in its simplicity. The flavors are reminiscent of liquid honey mixed with yellow fruits and a touch of herbs. On the palate, it's not overly powerful, making it easy to enjoy with a well-balanced profile. Not too funky, slightly sweet, yet perfectly balanced---it's simply nice.