Cloudy wine, what the funk?

-
Image
C loudy wine, what the funk? People still assume clear wine means better wine. Bright, polished, see-through. Cloudy, on the other hand, feels like something went wrong. Like the bottle was mishandled, stored badly, or rushed out before it was ready. That reaction makes sense. We’ve been trained to read clarity as quality. Beer, spirits, even water follow that rule. Wine just quietly inherited it. Most natural wines aren’t filtered or fined before bottling. Filtration is a cosmetic step. It strips out yeast, grape solids, and sediment to make the wine look stable and uniform. Clean lines. No surprises. When that step is skipped, the wine keeps more of what it grew with. What you’re seeing in a cloudy wine isn’t rot or spoilage. It’s usually leftover yeast or fine grape particles that would otherwise be removed. They settle. They move. They shift depending on temperature, travel, and time. That’s why the same bottle can look different every time you open it. The reason this ma...
Post a Comment

Midweek Glow: Orange Wines to Slow Down With

-

It’s midweek. We’ve made it to hump day. The weather’s still holding on, stubbornly clinging to whatever warmth it can muster and honestly, that’s as good a reason as any to pour a glass of something a little golden, a little alive! Orange wine.


There’s something about these wines that slows everything down. They’re not loud or showy, just quietly confident. The kind of bottle you open when the week feels like it’s running away from you, when emails and notifications are piling up, and you need to take it back even for an hour.


What Is Orange Wine?


If you’re new to this world, here’s the scoop, orange wine isn’t made from oranges. (No, it won’t taste like a fruit punch.) It’s white wine fermented with the skins still on, which gives it its amber glow, a little texture, and those funky, layered flavours that make every sip feel like a small adventure.


Think dried apricot, a touch of honey, faint herbs, sometimes a whisper of tea or spice. It’s approachable, but it asks you to slow down and notice the little things.


Bottles to Try


  • Balaran Sospresa, soft around the edges, full of dried apricot and gentle spice. Easy to like, hard to forget.

  • Primo Monte Slan Tenmesked Nitod, brings a little tension, a lift of citrus peel and herbs that make you pause between sips.

  • Gulb Hablo, feels like late summer in a glass: honey, salt, and a touch of something savoury that keeps pulling you in.



Each bottle has its own story, its own personality. The fun is in discovering it.


How to Enjoy (No Rules Required)


Pour a glass. Grab your book, or finally queue up that series everyone keeps talking about. Build a small plate if you like, slices of charcuterie, a little cheese, simple, but perfect companions.


And here’s the best part, there are no wrong ways to enjoy orange wine. It’s a little rebellious, a little mysterious, and always a reason to slow down and savour the moment.


If you’ve got a favourite orange wine, drop it in the comments. I’m always hunting for new bottles to explore. 


La Cave Noire opens soon in Brighton & Hove. Join the waitlist →
lacavenoire.co.uk
Location: Brighton, UK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Our Story: The Beginning of La Cave Noire

-
Our Story: La Cave Noire When you find a great bottle of natural wine, something happens. It is alive, unpredictable, and a little bit wild. That energy is what drew us in. La Cave Noire is more than a bar in Brighton & Hove. It is a space for discovery. We are building a home for natural wine that spans from our physical bar and bottle shop to a national subscription service. Our goal is to make wine approachable through human connection rather than algorithms. Meet Reza With a background in design, Reza believes spaces should tell stories. For him, wine is about the environment it creates. It is the feeling of gathering around a table, the energy of conversation, and the small details that make a night unforgettable. He brings an eye for atmosphere that turns a simple drink into a lasting memory. Meet Tio Tio’s journey began in hospitality. She learned that the best moments come from genuine connection. Natural wine is an extension of that philosophy. It is honest, unfiltered, ...
Read more

La Cave Noire is Coming to Brighton & Hove

-
La Cave Noire: A Story in Every Bottle A new narrative is unfolding in  Brighton & Hove , one bottle at a time.  La Cave Noire  is a natural wine bar and bottle shop unlike any other carefully curated, quietly immersive, and designed for unexpected discovery. Our mission is focused: exceptional natural wine, authentic company, and rare bottles. Every wine we select possesses a distinct character and a touch of mystery. From  small scale winemakers  to dedicated  biodynamic vineyards , we are here to connect you to the heart of global  natural wine culture . The journey to 2027 starts here. While our physical doors aren’t open just yet, we are already building a community of curious drinkers. Follow our blog for  behind the-scenes glimpses , raw tasting notes, and the stories of the makers themselves. Stay in the loop: Sign up to our newsletter  to be the first to hear about our official launch, exclusive pop-up events, and limited cell...
Read more

Serragghia Bianco Zibibbo Vino Secco — 2023 (Italy) Review | La Cave Noire

-
Image
Serragghia Bianco Zibibbo Vino Secco — 2023 (Italy) Review | La Cave Noire This one feels a little special. Not to take away from the others in the series, every bottle we feature earns its place, but this is the kind of wine we would open for a moment. A touch higher in price, yes, but worth it for the occasion. These bottles rarely stay on the shelf for long. If you see one, it is probably the last. That silver arrow label stops you in your tracks, the small 1/600 near the neck. We were curious from the start. Made by Gabrio Bini at Azienda Agricola Serragghia on the volcanic island of Pantelleria, just southwest of Sicily. 100 percent Zibibbo, fermented with native yeasts and macerated on skins for months in buried terracotta amphorae. No filtration, no additives, no shortcuts, a raw and expressive orange wine that mirrors the island’s rugged landscape. Notes of orange blossom, dried apricot, wild herbs, and sea spray. Textured, saline, and endlessly fresh. This is a wine that d...
Read more