Some people say they’re funky and weird, others say they’re the perfect bridge between white and red. What’s your take?
Orange wine is essentially white wine made like a red. Instead of immediately separating the juice from the skins (as you would for most white wines), the grape juice is left to macerate with the skins for days or even months. This gives it its signature amber color (not red because white grape skins are red), tannins, and structure. The best-known regions for it are northeastern Italy (like Friuli), Slovenia, and parts of Georgia, where the tradition dates back thousands of years. If you’re looking for a good intro bottle, look for terms like ‘skin contact white’, and aim for producers who use aromatic varieties like Ribolla Gialla or Gewürztraminer—you’ll get florals and texture without going full kombucha.
I didn’t think I liked wine at all until I tried an orange wine. Now I’m obsessed. It’s like if tea, wine, and sour beer had a love child.
They’re hit or miss for me. Some taste like they’ve been fermenting in a hot car. Others are absolutely magic. Just depends.
Try one with food! I had one with a spicy Thai noodle dish and it was chef’s kiss. The texture helps it stand up to heat.
I want to love them, but sometimes they’re just too funky for me. What’s a good orange wine that’s still ‘clean’?
I found one from Slovenia at my local wine shop that was wild. Textured, savory, kind of like dried apricots and black tea.
Honestly just the vibe of orange wine is a win. Looks cool in a glass, feels like you know something, and makes for great IG pics.
Some of the best value orange wines I’ve found are actually from Australia and South Africa. Still experimental but way cheaper than the big-name natural stuff.
Lowkey want to do an all-orange wine dinner party. Like flights from different countries, snack pairings, the works.
I tried one from Georgia that was made in qvevri and it tasted like ancient clay and dried peaches. Wild in the best way.