Folk Machine "Jeanne d'Arc" Skin Contact Chenin Blanc 2023

This orange wine from winemaker Kenny Likitprakong is stunningly complex, yet approachable. The skin contact brings in a savoriness and pseudo minerality as well as a texture and mouthfeel that is unique, but also fun and food-friendly. The lack of SO2 during aging lets the wine work itself out naturally, usually oxidizing a bit, but ultimately reaching a balance of acid and phenolic composition that suits itself.

Produced from hand-harvested, sustainably-grown Chenin blanc (67%), with Viognier (about 27%) and Sauvignon Blanc (13%), the wine spends four days on skins before natural yeast fermentation in neutral barrels, and is ultimately bottled unfined and unfiltered, and with very little sulphur (20 ppm). The result is an irresistible sipper that is dry, floral and fruity, with alluring texture. It’s a rebel, just like its namesake. Unfined, unfiltered, vegan.