What is orange wine?

Orange wine: everything you need to know about this unique white wine

Orange wine fascinates, surprises, and seduces a growing number of wine lovers in search of authenticity. Neither white, nor red, nor rosé, it holds a place apart in the world of wine. But what exactly are we talking about? Why does it have this singular colour, and where does it come from?

What is orange wine ?

Contrary to what its colour might suggest, orange wine is not made from oranges, but from white grapes, vinified using the same method as red wines. The process involves macerating the grapes while keeping their solid parts: the skins, seeds, and sometimes even the stems. It is precisely this prolonged contact with the solid matter that gives the wine its characteristic orange hue.

It is also referred to as a maceration wine or skin-contact wine. The maceration period can range from a few days to several months depending on the winemaker, which explains the wide diversity of styles found under this informal category.

What are the characteristics of orange wine ?

Much like red wines, orange wines have a strong character. Their aromas vary according to the maceration time: dried fruits, lemon, mandarin, roasted nuts… and sometimes even mushrooms. On the palate, you find the tannins and robust structure of red wines, combined with a minerality close to that of certain dry white wines.

Orange wines therefore present a subtle balance between these two worlds, while distinguishing themselves through their freshness and rich, varied aromatic profiles. It is this versatility that opens the door to many unexpected food and wine pairings.

Where does orange wine come from ?

Considered "trendy" or even "hipster" in recent years, orange wine is far from a new invention: its origins date back to 4,000 BC in Georgia, where winemakers used clay jars called qvevri to macerate grapes with their skins. Winemakers from Slovenia and Italy revived this ancient method in the 1990s, sparking renewed worldwide interest in this style of winemaking.

This "forgotten wine" is gradually finding its way back into glasses, including in certain French wine regions such as the Jura, the Languedoc, the Loire Valley and Savoie. Orange wine is also popular in Southern European countries, as well as in South Africa, Australia and the United States.

A unique winemaking process for a singular colour

The secret behind the orange colour lies in the extraction of pigments from white grape skins. These skins contain numerous phenolic compounds, responsible for both the tannic structure and the aromatic complexity of the wine. By extending contact with the solid parts, winemakers obtain authentic, intense wines deeply marked by their terroir.

Among the most emblematic producers of orange wines, a large number are committed to biodynamic farming or natural winemaking. This is no coincidence: long skin maceration naturally aligns with a philosophy of respecting the grape and minimal intervention in the cellar. The range of natural wines grows year on year, attracting curious wine lovers and connoisseurs in search of original, authentic wines.

How to taste orange wine ?

The profile of orange wine is truly unique. Neither fully white nor quite red, it is generally served between 12 and 14°C, in a white wine or universal glass. Its tannic structure sometimes calls for a few minutes of aeration to reveal its full richness, do not hesitate to decant it briefly if the wine is young and still closed.

On the food side, orange wines pair wonderfully with Asian cuisine, curries, miso dishes, spiced dishes. Their red wine-like structure combined with white wine freshness makes them ideal allies for the complexity of exotic flavours. They also work beautifully with hard cheeses, roasted vegetables, mushroom-based dishes, or a charcuterie board with character.

Did you know ?

In recent years, a festival exclusively dedicated to orange wine has emerged: the Orange Wine Festival. Over two weeks, the organisers invite curious visitors to discover this original wine through tastings, dinners and events. The first editions were held in Izola (Slovenia) and Vienna (Austria), before spreading to other major European cities.

Why buy your orange wine direct from the producer ?

Orange wines are often produced in very small quantities by winemakers committed to natural or biodynamic farming. Finding them at a fair price is not always straightforward, traditional distribution often adds several layers of margin. On our marketplace, every bottle is offered at estate price, the same price charged directly at the cellar. You access confidential, authentic cuvées without overpaying for intermediaries, while directly supporting winemakers who work according to their convictions.

Frequently asked questions about orange wine

Is orange wine really made with oranges ?

No, orange wine contains no oranges whatsoever. It is made from white grapes vinified with a prolonged maceration on the skins, just as one would do for a red wine. It is this contact with the solid parts of the grape, skins, seeds, sometimes stems, that gives it its characteristic hue, ranging from amber yellow to deep orange.

What is the difference between orange wine and white wine ?

A classic white wine is vinified without skin contact, the juice is separated from the solid parts immediately after pressing. Orange wine, on the other hand, macerates with its skins for days, weeks or even months. The result: a deeper colour, present tannins, a firmer structure, and a more complex, oxidative aromatic profile than most white wines.

At what temperature should orange wine be served ?

Between 12 and 14°C is the ideal range for most orange wines. Too cold, and the tannins tighten while the aromas close up. Served slightly warmer, it reveals its full complexity, dried fruit notes, gentle spices, nuts. For long-maceration cuvées, a light decanting of 15 to 20 minutes can make all the difference.

What foods pair well with orange wine ?

Orange wine is particularly versatile at the table. It excels with spiced Asian cuisine (curry, miso, stir-fries), roasted vegetables, mushroom-based dishes, charcuterie boards, and hard or semi-hard cheeses. Its tannic structure allows it to stand up to bold flavours where a classic white wine would struggle.

Is orange wine a natural wine ?

Not necessarily, even though the two are often associated. Orange wine refers to a winemaking method (skin maceration), while natural wine refers to a production philosophy (no additives, reduced or absent sulphur). In practice, many producers of orange wines also work naturally or biodynamically, but the two categories remain distinct.

Orange wine captivates through its thousand-year history, its colour that breaks the rules, its atypical winemaking method and its versatility at the table. Still rarely found on restaurant wine lists, it deserves to be discovered, by white wine lovers and red wine enthusiasts alike. Whether you want to surprise your guests or explore another side of white grapes, orange wine is a companion of choice that will awaken your curiosity.