The launch of our first orange wine: Melea Organic Orange

We’re delighted to announce the launch of our first orange wine. Like the rest of the Melea range, our Orange Verdejo is organic and vegan-friendly. In this case, it also has Demeter Biodynamic certification.

Made from white Verdejo grapes, the wine gets its colour through skin contact during fermentation, much like red wine. The de-stemmed grapes undergo 5-7 days maceration in 200-litre clay amphorae and 4,000-litre French oak vats with pumping over. After fermentation and pressing, the wine is transferred to foudres to age on its lees for 2-5 months.

Melea Organic Orange displays a rich amber colour and a very complex aroma of orange blossom, vanilla pastries from the oak ageing and a herbaceous touch. On the palate, it is dry, with marked freshness. Notes of orange blossom and sourdough bread appear on the finish.

The use of clay amphorae or tinajas in winemaking has a long history in Castilla-La-Mancha, making the region well placed to meet growing demand for orange wines made in this traditional way.

The fruit comes from vines in the Cuenca area of La Mancha with both organic and Demeter biodynamic certification.The vineyards grow at an altitude of 900m as part of a closed-loop organic farm where sheep graze on the weeds and fertilise the crops. The extreme continental climate means there is a high diurnal temperature range conserving acidity and increasing aromatic intensity.

Orange wine has boomed over recent years in mature markets, with the UK-based retailer Ocado reporting a 99% increase in orange wine sales over the year to May 2024.  It is now moving out of wine bars with a focus on natural wines into more mainstream retail and restaurants, and the global orange wine market is expected to grow to $67 million by 2032.

Please contact us if you are interested in receiving more information or samples.