ORANGE WINE
Ancient Technique — Modern Intrigue
Orange Wine is a white wine made like a red—fermented with the grape skins to extract color, texture, and complexity. The result is a dry, amber-hued wine with surprising depth, mild tannins, and a savory, slightly oxidative edge. It’s a favorite among natural wine lovers and curious palates seeking something off the beaten path.
Key Characteristics
Orange Wines are textural, aromatic, and often a bit wild in character. Expect earthy flavors, gentle grip, and a dry finish.
Style
Still, skin-contact white
Body
Medium
Acidity
Medium
Primary Grapes
Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Grigio, Rkatsiteli, Malvasia (varies by region)
Typical Flavors
Dried apricot, orange peel, tea leaf, almond, honey, spice
Origin & History
The style dates back thousands of years to Georgia, where wine was fermented with skins in clay vessels called qvevri. The technique spread through northeastern Italy, Slovenia, and into modern natural winemaking. In recent years, Orange Wine has become a symbol of artisanal revival and adventurous taste.
How It’s Made
Orange Wine is made by fermenting white grapes with their skins and seeds, just as red wine is made. This contact gives the wine its amber color and slight tannic structure. It’s often bottled unfined and unfiltered, with minimal intervention.
Notable Regions
This style is made in both ancient and avant-garde wine regions around the world.
Georgia
Kakheti
Birthplace of skin-contact wine, using traditional qvevri methods
Italy
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Textural, structured orange wines with minerality and elegance
Slovenia
Goriška Brda
Artisanal expressions with wild aromatics and firm structure
United States
California & Oregon
New World takes on skin-contact wines, often experimental and bold
Food Pairings
Orange Wines are versatile, especially with earthy, umami-rich, or spiced dishes.
Appetizers
Marinated olives, charred octopus, spiced nuts
Main Dishes
Moroccan chicken, miso-glazed eggplant, roasted pork shoulder
Cheeses
Aged sheep’s cheese, Taleggio, washed rind cheeses
Vegetarian
Curry dishes, lentil stew, wild mushroom risotto
How to Serve It
Glassware
White wine or universal glass to allow for aromatics and texture
Temperature
50–55°F (10–13°C)
Storage
Store upright; chill gently before serving. Many benefit from light decanting
Fun Fact
Despite the name, Orange Wine has nothing to do with oranges—it refers only to the color extracted during skin fermentation.
Try This If You Like
Natural Wines
Skin-contact Pinot Gris
Light Reds (like Gamay or Zweigelt)
Dry Sherry
Funky whites like Savagnin or Jura Chardonnay
French
Affair
A Passionate Pairing
A Gift Full of Flavor
& Finesse