Orange wine: what it is and what it tastes like
Orange (amber) wine is white wine made like a red: the juice sits on the grape skins for a long time. That gives it an amber colour, light tannin and a rich flavour — dried fruit, nuts, black tea, orange peel and honey. It is an ancient technique from Georgia.
What it is
Orange wine is made from white grapes, but with extended contact between juice, skins and pips — anywhere from a few days to several months. Maceration brings amber colour, tannin and oxidative notes. It is one of the oldest techniques (Georgian qvevri), revived by natural winemakers.
How it is made
White grapes are fermented together with their skins, as reds are. The long contact extracts pigments, tannins and phenolics, so the wine takes on colour and structure unusual for a white. It is often made with minimal intervention, sometimes in clay qvevri or amphorae.
What to pair with
- rich dishes and curry
- aged cheeses
- nuts
- poultry
- fermented dishes
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FAQ
How is orange wine different from white?
The technique: white wine is pressed straight away, while orange wine macerates on the skins like a red. Hence the amber colour, the tannin and a denser, tea-and-nut flavour.
What should I pair orange wine with?
It has enough structure for rich food: curry, aged cheeses, poultry, and fermented or spiced dishes.