2022 Seewines - Muscat Ottonel Thracian Valley OTT1L Skin Contact (750ml)

Seewines Spirit is based in the village of Lesichovo, in the Upper Thracian Lowland roughly midway between Sofia and Plovdiv, on flat terrain with low hills averaging about 290 meters in elevation. Best known for its Muscat Rakia under the Arkana brand, the estate also farms fifteen hectares of vineyards, most of them planted to Muscat Ottonel, and sets aside small parcels of old Bulgarian varieties to produce limited batches of wine for more adventurous drinkers.

OTT1L is made entirely from Muscat Ottonel, grown in the same vineyards that supply the estate's rakia production, but here vinified as a dry orange wine through extended skin contact. The wine is bottled unfiltered in a limited run of about eleven hundred bottles, a small batch approach that lets the grape's naturally aromatic character come through unfiltered and largely untouched.

The wine shows the deep orange hue typical of skin contact whites, with a richly floral nose characteristic of Muscat Ottonel, touched by spice and citrus. On the palate its tannins are gentle and well integrated, making it enjoyable on its own as well as alongside richer, cream based dishes. It pairs particularly well with soft, aged cheeses or dishes with heavier meat and texture.