Radikon Orange wines launched in India, Billecart-Salmon Champagnes get drier

Wine Park founder and head Vishal Kadakia launched orange wines from Radikon, an Italian winery  that is a leading producer of this style. Kadakia launched three wines including two orange wines and one red which will initially be available in Maharashtra. The wines were launched in the presence of Sebastien Papin, Export Director, Asia Pacific of Champagne Billecart-Salmon over a tasting of Billecart Salmon’s Champagnes and a networking afternoon for the wine trade and media at the Koi Bar, St. Regis Mumbai.
Radikon, a family estate based in the northern Italian region of Friuli. Orange wines, interestingly are produced from white wine grapes that stay in contact with the skin for an extended period and are fermented using natural yeast and a minimal to nil use of sulphur. Orange wines, historically, were produced centuries ago in Georgia and in the past decade, have been produced in vineyards across Italy and France.  Radikon is regarded as one of the world’s pioneering orange wine makers, based in Italy’s northern region of Friuli. The wines selected from the estate’s range, available in India now include the Radikon, SLATNIK Bianco 2022, a sumptuous Chardonnay blend that crackles with cherries, baked orange peel, and roses. There’s also the Radikon, SIVI Bianco 2022, a Pinot Grigio style, barrel aged and tasting of pear and citrus, finishing clean and  Radikon, RS 22 Rosso 2022, a full bodied barrel aged Merlot blend.
​Kadakia said, “I had been looking forward to introducing orange wines to the Indian market for a long time since he first tasted these styles in Singapore and later in Paris where natural orange wines have become quite popular in recent years. “I was fascinated by the colour and palate of orange wines and the story behind how these wines are made. The fact that white wines can be produced in a style similar to red wines and bring out a unique flavour character in them. I loved these natural orange wines and believed these were ripe for launching in India.” The three new wines are presently available in retail and on premise in Maharashtra and will subsequently be launched in Karnataka. 
Speaking on the Champagnes, Sebastien Papin said, “Our house recently changed its recipe in keeping with changing trends. We noticed that Champagne drinkers prefer a less sweet, more concentrated and fruity style so we decided to reduce the dosage (added sweet liquid) for our standard Brut Champagne from 8.5 grams per litre to 4.5 grams per litre. To compensate for this change, we have increased the number of years we age our Champagne from 33 to 50 months which is a significant increase. 
​(Excerpt from a release)