My birthday was January 13th and I decided to celebrate all month long. On New Year’s Eve Man Friend and I went to Professionals in the City New Year’s Party. I didn’t want to go, but one can’t really say, “Oh, you want to see someone that you were stationed in Texas with and served in Iraq with? No. I don’t want to even though s/he lives in a different state.” Before the party we went to Red Hen and it was spectacular. The service was amazing and the dishes were well executed. They also featured orange wine by the glass.
I arranged for Man Friend to take me to Komi for dinner another night and then a play at Studio Theatre. Komi paced the meal perfectly. It didn’t feel like two hours and we made the play in plenty of time. Every dish offered a new set of flavor and texture. I went with the pairing, which might not have been appreciated by others. However, I do what I want. Anyways, one pairing was this really interesting Italian beer that had a nice funk. I mentioned my interest in orange wine and they offered it along with a red so that I could compare.
Two other birthday celebrations included renting the private room at Black Squirrel and a Sunday Funday that involved bottomless brunch at Masa 14. There was no fee to rent the room at Black Squirrel even though it was a Saturday night in Adams Morgan. Masa 14 was a solid brunch that should be on one’s DC bucket list.
Back to the orange wine! I have talked to some who believe that orange wine is a trend that has come and gone. Others think it’s a current trend. I am not sure what the average wine drinker will think, but I have found the few I have tried thus far to be very interesting and food friendly.
Orange wine is made up of white wine varietals that have extended skin contact during fermentation. The color can be incredibly light to a more tawny like color.
Here’s the interesting part that I wonder if it will appear to beer followers…orange wines can be VERY sour and funky. I tried another that came off as oxidized I expected sherry like flavors that did not appear.
Orange wine more commonly appears in Italy and Eastern Europe like Georgia and Slovenia.
I look forward to experimenting with them more. Perhaps doing a tasting with some other wine friends?