Sierra Oriental, ‘Naranja Edición Limitada’, 2022

'One-Liner'
A boldly textured Uruguayan orange wine, bringing together dried stone fruit, citrus peel and wildflowers with tea-like grip and vibrant freshness.

Tasting Note
Deep amber-orange in colour, with fragrant wildflowers, dried apricot, peach skin and ripe citrus, followed by touches of honey, black tea and gentle resinous spice. The palate is dry, intense and wonderfully distinctive, with bright citrus acidity balancing its weight and fine, skin-derived tannins adding texture. Complex and savoury through the finish, with lingering dried fruit, herbs and a subtle note of oak.

Country: Uruguay
Region: Maldonado
Sub-Region: veg
Grape(s): 60% Sauvignon Gris, 40% Pinot Grigio
ABV: 14.5%
Friendly: Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable

Awards & Critics' Scores
n/a

The Story
The Diz family established La Oriental in the hills of Paraje José Ignacio in 2003, having settled in Uruguay five years earlier, and released their first wines under the Sierra Oriental name in 2011. The vineyards sit on a well-drained, breezy site inland from the Atlantic, where sandy soils rich in quartz and gravel help produce fruit with natural freshness and concentration. Naranja is made by treating white grapes much like a red wine, leaving Sauvignon Gris and Pinot Grigio in contact with their skins for four months to build its amber colour, aromatic complexity and gentle tannic grip. Fermentation and maturation take place in French oak over six months, with the wine bottled without filtration to preserve its full, characterful texture.

Perfect With... (click me for the recipe)
- Meat/fish: Portuguese-style baked salt cod with onions, olives and potatoes
- Vegetarian: Orecchiette with roasted aubergine, tomato, basil and ricotta salata
- Vegan: Miso–sesame roasted aubergine with herby couscous