Life & Travel
Regina King is serving up something new for our palates and our bar carts: her very first wine brand, MianU. The award-winning actress and director is kicking things off with a debut release that’s as bold and layered as the story behind it, a vibrant orange wine created as a tribute to her late son, Ian Alexander Jr.
Pronounced "me and you," the name MianU speaks to the brand's belief that every moment is made better when shared with the right people and the right wine. On the brand's site, Regina shares that it was Ian who first introduced her to orange wine, making it fitting that MianU's first release honors that fact.
"Inspired by Ian’s deep love for art, flavor, and the people around him, Regina created a wine that celebrates the beauty of connection," the site reads.
Meet the 2024 MianU Vintage
The first-ever release from MianU blends 75% Gewürztraminer and 25% Chardonnay into a glowing amber-hued wine with a textured body and layered depth. Thoughtfully crafted to complement everything from hosting intimate dinner parties to marking milestones like anniversaries, or even elevating a weeknight meal into an at-home culinary experience, this bottle stands beautifully on its own but also pairs seamlessly with fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, hard cheeses, and boldly spiced dishes.
Per their site, Regina’s tasting notes for the MianU 2024 include: apricot, melogold, Seville orange, honeysuckle, and white pepper.
MianU
Orange Wine 101
Don't let the name fool you, despite what it's called, orange wines are not made from oranges. The "orange" in orange wine refers to the warm, amber hue that the wine has, an attribute that comes from fermenting white grapes with their skins on, a technique that is most commonly used for red wines.
Unlike typical white wines, this skin contact gives orange wine more texture, body, and complexity, along with a flavor profile that can range from floral and herbal to fruity and nutty. In the case of MianU’s 2024 vintage, those tasting notes include apricot, melogold, Seville orange, honeysuckle, and a hint of white pepper, all naturally expressed through the grapes themselves.
Why Orange Wines Are Having a Moment
Originating in the Republic of Georgia thousands of years ago, orange wine has found fresh energy among modern winemakers. Many versions are unfiltered, which gives them a cloudier appearance and a bolder, more textured sip, kinda like how kombucha sometimes has film from its fermentation process. Depending on the grapes and the winemaker’s style, the flavor can range from floral and citrusy to nutty and savory..
For years, the popularity of orange wine has been brewing in natural wine bars, but it’s still a new style for many. And for the uninitiated, the charm lies in its uniqueness. Every pour has its own personality, and the style invites you to slow down, savor, and connect.
The 2024 MianU orange wine is available now through the brand’s official website here and select retailers starting at $34. Whether you’re already an orange wine enthusiast or just a little wine-curious, Regina hopes each glass will do what Ian always did best: bring people together and turn ordinary moments into something unforgettable.
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Featured image by Marta Perez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
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