Buzz
Choosing the perfect bottle of wine for a friend (or yourself) can be a challenge, especially when the options are limited to just red and white. Rosé made the decision harder, and now a new color has entered the scene at your favorite tapas bar: Orange wine. What exactly is this wine, and should you swap your usual rosé for it?
What exactly is orange wine?
Orange wine might seem like a recent trend that just appeared on your menu, but in reality, it has a history that spans thousands of years. It gained renewed attention as regions like Georgia, Slovenia, Croatia, and parts of Italy revived their traditional winemaking methods. The name 'orange' is a bit misleading—it refers to the wine's color and has as much to do with oranges as rosé has to do with roses. (In other words, nothing at all.) A more accurate term is 'skin contact white wine,' which better reflects its production process.
With tannins, vintages, and terroir to consider, the world of wine can often feel like a vocabulary test. But when it comes to understanding how wines get their color, it’s actually pretty straightforward. Some wines are created by letting the juice from crushed grapes ferment with the skins that once surrounded them, while others are not. (Of course, there are many subtle variations depending on the winemaker, but for now, let's keep it simple.) The color of the wine comes from the skins of the grapes, not the flesh, so it’s during fermentation that the wine absorbs its color.
Red wines are made from red grapes and typically ferment with their skins for a period ranging from a few days to several months, depending on the type of wine. This process gives us the rich reds we adore, so much so that we even use them to describe the paint color in our homes (the living room isn’t red, it’s ‘merlot’). White wines, on the other hand, are made from grapes whose skins are removed before fermentation. Surprisingly, white wines aren’t exclusively made from white grapes. Red grapes, when their skins are removed before fermentation, also yield white wine, which is common for many Champagnes. And no, this is not skin contact wine.
What sets orange wine apart from red and white wines?
Skin contact white wine is made in a manner similar to red wine but uses white grapes. By crushing the white grapes and letting them ferment with their skins, the carotenoids (yes, those are also found in orange carrots) and other compounds in the skins impart their color to the wine, which can range from a clear honeysuckle hue to a cloudy orange-red, resembling a late sunset. The skins add the tannins and body typical of red wines, while the white grape juice provides the bright, fruity flavors we love in white wines. (For a more detailed taste profile of skin contact white wine, check out Pull the Cork’s post here.)
What’s the flavor profile of orange wine?
Still not sure if you’ll like it despite understanding the name? Think about what you already enjoy in wine. If you love red wine for its oaky depth, rich aroma, and complex finish, there’s a skin contact white out there for you. Or maybe you prefer the fruity lightness of white wines with subtle tannins—then you might want to try the 2020 Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato, featured in Food and Wine's list (and, by the way, it’s Mary J. Blige’s wine, which is reason enough to pour yourself a glass). The body and aromatic intensity of this wine have been compared to something between rosé and red wine, with flavors reminiscent of ripe stone fruits and floral notes typical of white wines. It's more like indulging in peach pie than simply inhaling the scent of flowers in the air.
Skin contact white wines come in many styles, so you're bound to find one that aligns with what you enjoy in either red or white wines. Give it a try! You can always gift a bottle to a friend and take a sip for yourself. If it’s not your thing, no worries—it just wasn’t meant for you. After all, the best way to test wines is by sharing them with friends, right? Cheers to good company.
