Ben says

★ Good Wine Is boring ever a compliment? Probably not. Boring is harsh. This orange wine isn’t particularly inspiring but it is a very reliable wine for someone new to orange wine. It has a familiar white wine smell with a mix of pithy lemon and kumquat citrus. On the palate it’s juicy with plenty of freshness. There’s a tiny grip of skin contact tannin before it rounds off in a satisfyingly drinkable way. It won’t make you a diehard orange wine fan, but it’s the perfect gateway to an interesting range of styles.

Guerrieri Rizzardi '3 Cru' Amarone della Valpolicella Red Wine

KEY POINTS

Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Macabeo with 13.0% abv. Skin contact maceration in stainless steel tank.

Grown in: South of FRANCE.

Food Pairing

Something fried would be delicious – chicken kiev and chips comes to mind, not that I’ve had that in a lifetime. Maybe better with a KFC.

Disclosure & Price

Tasted during a wine study session. Find in the UK for circa £9.99 from Waitrose.

Reviewed and tasted: 07/01/2025

Ben Franks Wine Tasting Note Producer Profile

About the Producer

Les Domaines Paul Mas is a group of brands produced across the south of France. Paul Mas is a household name in the UK. It covers 850 hectares of growers in the Languedoc, of which 30% is currently certified organic, and bottles over 45 different grape varieties. Jean Claude Mas, the group’s MD, employs a philosophy of “Luxe Rural” meaning “Everyday luxury”.