Ribolla Gialla is a white grape variety that is native to the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy. While it is traditionally used to produce white wines, it is also commonly used to make orange wines.
Now, the term “orange wine” refers to a style of wine that is made by fermenting white grapes with their skins on for an extended period of time. This maceration process gives the wine an orange or amber color, as well as added tannins and complexity.
In the case of Ribolla Gialla, it can indeed be made into an orange wine. However, it is important to note that not all Ribolla Gialla wines are orange wines. This is because the winemaking process and the specific techniques used by the producer can greatly influence the style and character of the final wine.
When Ribolla Gialla is treated in the correct way, it has the potential to produce orange wines of immense complexity. This means that the winemaker carefully controls the maceration process, allowing the grape skins to remain in contact with the juice for a longer period of time. This extended skin contact extracts more flavor, color, and tannins from the grapes, resulting in a wine that is hazy orange in appearance.
The example mentioned from Radikon is a prime example of a Ribolla Gialla orange wine done right. It exhibits a hazy orange color, which is indicative of the extended skin contact during fermentation. The aromatics of quince, fresh orange zest, and apricot are also characteristic of orange wines made from Ribolla Gialla. These flavors and aromas are more pronounced and intense compared to the lighter and more neutral white wines that can be produced from this grape variety.
In my personal experience, I have had the pleasure of tasting a few Ribolla Gialla orange wines, and they have been truly captivating. The combination of the grape's natural acidity, the added tannins from the extended skin contact, and the complex aromatics create a wine that is both intriguing and enjoyable to drink.
Ribolla Gialla can indeed be made into an orange wine. When the winemaker utilizes the correct techniques and allows for extended skin contact during fermentation, the resulting wine can display a hazy orange color and explosive aromatics. It is these characteristics that set Ribolla Gialla orange wines apart from their lighter, more neutral white wine counterparts.