If there’s one thing the weird world of wine trends has blessed us with in the last few years, it’s an enormous uptick in orange wine distribution.
Hailed for its complex flavors, unique aromas, and rich history (its proverbial roots can be traced back to ancient Georgia), orange wine offers a delightful departure from more conventional reds, whites, and rosés. Especially in these in-between seasons.
Its recent rise in popularity, of course, also comes with an enormous challenge – choosing the bottle (or bottles) you want to try first. Which is what my orange wine-obsessed palate is here to help with. But first:
What Is Orange Wine?
Orange wine, also known as amber wine or skin-contact wine, is a style of wine that has been fermented with the grape skins left on, albeit temporarily, similar to the process used in red wine production. This contact between the grape juice and skins imbues the wine with its characteristic amber hue, ranging from pale gold to deep orange, and imparts a wealth of flavors and textures.
The origins of orange wine can be traced back thousands of years to the ancient winemaking traditions of Georgia, where clay vessels (called qvevri) were used for fermentation and aging. Over time, this technique spread to other winemaking regions, including Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, where it has experienced a resurgence in recent years.
Unlike conventional white wines, which are typically made by pressing grapes with their skins removed, orange wines will extract tannins, phenols, and other compounds from the skins (typically only for a few hours), resulting in wines with greater complexity, structure, and texture.
What Are The Characteristics Of An Orange Wine?
Orange wines are renowned for their unique flavor profile, combining elements of both white and red wines. Beyone this, orange wines are more similar to white wines than red, yet have more intense aromas of dried fruits, florals, spices, and exotic herbs.As such, most boast savory notes, such as nuts and tea leaves, and oxidative notes reminiscent of sherry.
One of the most striking features of orange wine is its textured mouthfeel, which can range from silky and velvety to grippy and tannic, depending on factors such as grape varieties, maceration time, and winemaking techniques.
Characteristically, orange wines also make for exceptional food pairing partners, thanks to their acidity, structure, and complexity.
Top 10 Orange Wines You Must Try
Now, for the must-try orange wines you should stock up on this month:
1. Remhoogte ‘Free to Be’ Skin-Contact Chenin
- Where is Remhoogte wine from? South Africa
- What does this orange wine pair well with? Spicy and acidic dishes, like curries and hot stews
Using the very same grapes that go into their renowned Honeybunch wine, Remhoogte’s orange wines undergo an extended fermentation period of two weeks on their skins for an usual twist on the typical 12-hour maceration. The result? Enhanced texture, mouthfeel, and a satisfying grip on the palate. There’s a tad more lemon zest present, rather than the traditional honeysuckle, but it’s a welcome and lively departure.
2. Channing Daughters Ramato Pinot Grigio
- Where is Charming Daughters wine from? USA
- What does this orange wine pair well with? Charcuterie boards
Originating from the Friuli region of North-East Italy, ‘Ramato’-style orange wines are crafted by fermenting Pinot Grigio grapes with their skins, resulting in a unique coppery hue. This particular expression from Channing Daughters comes with a decent shot of dried apricot, pear, and tropical citrus on the palate, plus subtle undertones of coriander, caramel and peaches. A lovely choice for people who don’t like their orange wines too dry.
3. Orgo Rkatsiteli 2022
- Where is Orgo Rkatsiteli wine from? Georgia
- What does this orange wine pair well with? Lighter dishes, like grilled seafood, to let the flavors sing
Originating from the birthplace of orange wines, this skin-contact beaut holds a special place in the vinicultural landscape. Rkatsiteli, a varietal renowned for its versatility, is the star of the show here and Orgo, a small family-owned winery nestled in the Kakheti AOC, have utilized Qvevri for both vinification and maturation. With a bouquet rich in perfumed stone fruits, almond, and even a touch of truffle, you couldn’t ask for much more.
4. Gerard Bertrand Organic Orange Gold
- Where is Gerard Bertrand wine from? France
- What does this orange wine pair well with? Strong cheese and/or salads which contain it
This crisp cuvée has been crafted from a blend of six grape varieties—Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Marsanne, Mauzac, and Muscat – offering a complex bouquet of white florals, citrus fruits, and subtle hints of spice. The nose is intensely aromatic, and we love that it’s AB (Agriculture Biologique) certified, ensuring a commitment to sustainable viticulture practices.
5. Labara Winery Tsolokouri 2020
- Where is Labara wine from? Georgia
- What does this orange wine pair well with? Mediterranean dishes, with a focus on veggies and chicken
One for those who love minerality in their orange wines.Ripe pear takes center stage on the nose, accompanied by unexpected hints of marzipan, developing into a palate filled with pear, apple and quince. As with any good Georgian wine, the grapes are hand-picked and delicately transported to the Qvevri for fermentation, too.
6. Denbies Wine Estate Orange Solaris 2022
- Where is Denbies wine from? UK
- What does this orange wine pair well with? Just about everything, but we’d go for red meat
Seven months of skin contact has done wonders for this beautifully complex wine. A nose packed with stone fruit unfolds with generosity, revealing layers of baked apple and tangerine that can hold up against intense food pairings. Bonus points for the brand’s Orange Vermouth, which utilizes pressings from the Orange Solaris and makes for a brilliant aperitif.
7. Ivane’s Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2021
- Where is Ivane’s wine from? Georgia
- What does this orange wine pair well with? Mezze and Moroccan-style tagines
Georgia’s Kakheti region is renowned for its distinctive style of orange wine, known locally as amber wine, characterized by notes of stone fruits, honey, and mineral-driven acidity – all of which this wine has in spades. If you like the sound of a crisp orange wine, peppered with the flavors of walnuts and dried figs, you won’t want to miss out.
8. Sept Skin-Contact Obeideh
- Where is Sept wine from? Lebanon
- What does this orange wine pair well with? Lamb shawarma or a grilled halloumi salad
The Obeideh grape is a special one; with the ability to evoke the fragrant beauty of Lebanon’s flora, you can expect aromas of night-blooming jasmine and honeysuckle, tonnes of acidity on the palate, and a delicious balance of sweet and savory notes like bitter almonds and honey. Sept’s is a perfect example of the grape at its best, and it’s free from additives, to boot.
9. Domaine Lafage Taronja de Gris
- Where is Domaine Lafage wine from? France
- What does this orange wine pair well with? Magret de Canard with an orange glaze, Trust.
Taronja, the Catalan word for orange, is used with purpose here; Domaine Lafage are a Roussillon producer with a proud Catalan heritage. It’s an unusual wine for the region, blending old vine Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, as well as a bit of Muscat and Viognier. Naturally, lots of flavour results, with key notes of orange peel, white pepper, ginger, melon and citrus fruit, supported by light, dry tannins and refreshing acidity.
10. Troupis Route Gris Moschofilero 2022
- Where is Troupis wine from? Greece
- What does this orange wine pair well with? Savory Greek dishes like spanakopita
There’s an unexpected hit of sweet strawberry on the nose of this particular bottle, making for a real Marmite experience at first sniff. Still, its native Moschofilero grapes have a lot to offer (especially if you’re a fan of strawberries), with notes of pink grapefruit and satsuma peel rounding out the palate with welcome acidity. A peachy-pink drink that will get the table talking.
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