Villa Noria 'Amfora' Orange Wine, Côteaux de Bessilles 2024

Villa Noria's 'Amfora' Orange wine is as the name suggests orange in colour due to the prolonged time the white grapes have spent in contact with their skins in the winery - three months, and after fermentation is matured in terracotta amphorae. It's a blend of several varieties including Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Sauvignon Gris, Pinot Gris and Piquepoul all grown organically and harvested in the cool of the night to retain freshness. A natural wine that is made without the addition of sulphur. Lovely floral aromas with notes of quince and red apple lead onto a really fresh and bright palate with delicate apple, pear and berry fruit notes. There's a light refreshing tang and the merest hint of tannins and spice at the finish. Everything is in good balance and has been very well put together.

A great food wine, try with North African and Middle Eastern style cuisine such as tagine and koftas, and works well with lamb in general, also roast vegetables and meatier seafood such as octopus and salmon.

A relatively new face in the wine world, Villa Noria has been turning heads since 2010. Founded by Fabien Gross and Cédric Arnaud, the estate sprawls over 80 hectares of diverse Languedoc terroir near Pézenas. From the start, they've championed organic farming and strive for a zero-carbon footprint. Their winemaking is refreshingly traditional, with minimal sulphur use - none at all in their Amfòra and Basic Instinct ranges. Balancing eco-conscious practices with the production of highly drinkable wines, Villa Noria is proving that sustainability and quality can go hand in hand.