Orange Wine: a Bold Tradition Making a Modern Comeback

• Posted on 29 May 2025
• By Dane Mannina
• Posted in amber wine, ancient winemaking techniques, macerated white wine, natural orange wine, orange wine, skin contact fermentation, skin-contact wine, unique white wines
• 0

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If you've ever spotted a bottle labeled orange wine and wondered if it’s made from oranges, you’re not alone. Despite its citrus-colored name, orange wine is actually made from white grapes—but with a twist in the winemaking process that gives it its signature hue and robust flavor. This style of wine is gaining popularity with adventurous drinkers and natural wine enthusiasts alike, offering a taste that’s both ancient and fresh.

Orange wine is made using a technique called skin-contact fermentation, where white grapes are treated more like red grapes during winemaking. Normally, white wines are pressed and separated from their skins right away. But with orange wine, the juice is left in contact with the skins and seeds—sometimes for days, sometimes for months. This maceration process extracts more tannins, color, and texture, resulting in a wine that’s deeper in body and richer in flavor than most whites.

The result? A wine that can range in color from golden amber to coppery orange, depending on the grape variety and length of skin contact. It’s important to note that “orange wine” is a bit of a misnomer—the wine isn't flavored with oranges, and its color can vary widely. What you can expect, however, is a dry wine with complex notes that might include dried fruit, tea, nuts, and earthy spice, often with a gentle grip on the palate from the added tannins.

Orange wines are often made with minimal intervention, aligning closely with natural, organic, or biodynamic wine practices. Many are unfiltered, low in sulfites, and fermented with wild yeasts. This style of winemaking harks back to ancient traditions, particularly from regions like Georgia, Italy, and Slovenia, where orange wines have been made for thousands of years.

If you're curious about trying something new, orange wine is a rewarding detour off the beaten path. Browse our selection of orange wines in-store or online, and discover why this bold, beautiful style is turning heads and winning hearts.