Brutal Orange VdF 2024 1500ml Magnum

Wine Description for Brutal Orange VdF 2024 1500ml Magnum by Matassa

Character

Tom Lubbe, the New Zealand winemaker behind Matassa, has created with his Brutal Orange an uncompromising orange wine that lives up to its name. With just 10% alcohol, this macerated Macabeu presents itself as a light-footed yet textured interpretation of the orange wine style – a deliberate departure from the heaviness of many skin-contact wines. The magnum bottle underscores the communal character of this unpretentious yet artisanally precise wine.

Terroir & Origin

Roussillon, squeezed between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees, offers ideal conditions for Lubbe’s radical minimalism. The region, historically known for powerful red wines, is experiencing a renaissance of authentic, terroir-driven wines through winemakers like Lubbe. The Tramontane, the dry northerly wind, keeps the vines healthy and enables the biodynamic viticulture that Matassa practises consistently. The old Macabeu vines are deeply rooted in the mineral soils of this Catalan-influenced border region.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Macabeu (also Macabeo), the underrated Catalan variety, reveals its true potential under Lubbe’s hands beyond Cava production. Skin maceration with the grape skins gives the wine its characteristic orange colour and phenolic structure. Lubbe’s non-interventionist philosophy means: wild yeasts, no temperature control, no sulphur or minimal additions. The low alcohol content results from early harvesting and short maceration – a deliberate stylistic choice for drinkability rather than concentration. The wine is aged in neutral vessels to preserve fruit and vibrancy.

Food Pairing Suggestions

This approachable orange wine pairs equally well with the rustic cuisine of Roussillon and modern vegetable-focused cooking. Perfect with grilled fish, seafood with aioli, roasted root vegetables or spicy North African dishes. The tannins harmonise with fermented vegetables, hard cheese and charcuterie. An ideal wine for long tables and relaxed conviviality.