The Wharie Experience Bacchus Orange 2022 is an exceptional, rule-breaking skin-contact white wine. Handcrafted by Swiss-trained oenologist Guillaume Lagger in Hampshire's New Forest, this limited-run micro-cuvée is a true "wowser" of a wine.
Grape Variety
The wine proudly spotlights 100% Bacchus. This is an iconic, highly aromatic grape variety that has fast become the signature still white style of English viticulture. For this 2022 vintage, Guillaume sourced the fruit from a historical vineyard in Beaulieu. This is famously the final batch harvested from those specific old vines before they were replaced.
Appearance
It pours a striking, luminous yellow-gold to bright amber-orange. It shows off a touch of rustic, natural cloudiness in the glass. This visual character is the direct result of 18 days of skin contact with daily manual punch-downs, bottled unfiltered to keep all that beautiful, low-intervention texture alive.
Aroma
The nose is absolutely explosive and demands your full attention. It hits you instantly with an aromatic army of satsuma, orange marmalade, and fresh citrus peel. This is quickly followed by the classic Englishness of elderflower and sweet jasmine breeze, all layered over an intriguing background of exotic dried mango, sweet spices, and a hint of smoky oak complexity.
Palate
On the palate, it delivers a massive punch of vibrant energy. Succulent orchard and stone fruits—like juicy peaches and tropical mango—march straight across the tongue. It has a beautiful structural grip of savory, tactile tannins from its 12 months of maturation in a 500L barrel. The cool-climate acidity is perfectly judged, lifting the rich, orange-wine texture and leaving a refreshing, complex, and deeply moreish finish.
Food Pairings
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Aromatic Thai & Indian Curries: The structural grip and exotic citrus profile of the skin contact balance sweet-and-sour spice beautifully.
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Roasted Pork Belly: The crisp, linear acidity effortlessly slices through rich pork fat and crackling.
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Mature Hard Cheeses: The savory tannins and marmalade notes pair brilliantly with an aged Cheddar or Manchego.
The Grape Wizard Verdict
With a mere 630 bottles produced, this is a seriously rare and magical find that elevates the humble Bacchus grape into something incredibly complex and textural. If you've ever felt that standard white wines are a bit one-dimensional, this skin-contact gem completely rewrites the script. It proves that English still winemaking can be incredibly daring, exciting, and wildly delicious!
