Calmel & Joseph 'Ams Tram Gram Pomone' 2023

When I meet an importer and we taste through dozens of clean, fresh, well made wines, I'm always sceptical about the orange wine they pull out of the bag as the finale. Every winemaker and their winemaking mum is adding Vin Orange to their portfolio to tick off the trendy box. But "ouch!", I've had my wrist slapped for making a judgement too early! This skinsy number has more than a rightful place in C&J's lineup. This is a beautiful dance between zesty & tropical, and savouriness. Yellow plumb and tangerine peel give way to a nutty, paprika-spiced palate and a lovely just bitter finish. If the orange wine quality test is "would I have a second glass?", the answer is "I should have ordered another case"...!

AmsTramGram [Eeny, meeny, miny, moe] almost does the wine a disservice by masking it's intentions. There's nothing random about this wine. Rather, it is a label for the estate's most creative, exciting and 'daring' wines.

Calmel & Joseph are a highly commended grower-négociant based just outside Carcassonne specialising in authentic, terroir driven wines from the Languedoc.

Press Review: "It is certainly orange! Fresh papaya and grapefruit and lime, with a playful wobble of clementine-flavoured jelly and a touch of candied citrus peel. Not at all tannic, although there is a very slight chalkiness in the texture. Dry but full of fruit. The balance of acidity, bitterness and fruit is just right. This is a perfect gateway orange wine. It may be too tame for amber aficionados, but perfect for neophytes." - Score 16/20 - Jancis Robinson.com