Orange Wines: The Perfect Autumn Sip 

What is Orange Wine? 

National Orange Wine Day is just around the corner on October 6th, but before we get to celebrate this trending wine, what actually is orange wine?  

Orange wine might not be a staple at the dinner table but it has a rich history which wine scholars trace back to 6,000 B.C in Georgia (the country is considered by some to be the birthplace of wine itself!). Over Millenia orange wines became lesser known, until a revival of interest in the early 2000s thanks to a handful of wine connoisseurs. Today, orange wine is getting its trending moment!  

How is Orange Wine Made?  

So how is orange wine made?  Despite what you might think, orange wine is actually crafted from white wine grapes. White grapes of many varietals can be used, but the colour of orange wine comes from leaving the grape skins and seeds in contact with the juice. White wine production removes the grape skins (resulting in its clear appearance), red grape skins impart colour and tannins to red wine, and rosé wines are created by allowing grape skins to interact for a shorter duration, producing its characteristic pink. In the same vein, orange wines are the result of white grapes whose skins are left intact during fermentation, and the extended contact produces a spectacular range of hues: from a vivid amber to pale peach.  

The original process of orange wine production can be traced back to modern-day Georgia (Caucasus), and ancient Caucausians used large terra cotta, stone-topped vessels, or Qvevri to ferment the wine. These vessels were sealed with beeswax and placed underground. In fact some winemakers still use Qvevri today!  

What should I pair orange wine with?  

Orange wines have a typically dry profile, with hints of tannin and more substantial mouthfeel than whites, but less intense than tannic reds. They often taste like drier red wines, and aren't sweet but maintain a bold honeyed aroma that some compare to jackfruit. This profile actually makes them suited to quite a wide range of pairings including:  

• Strong cheeses, charcuterie, terrines   
• Moroccan cuisine    
• Indian curries   
• Spanish style tapas  
• Generally: cumin, cinnamon, paprika, saffron  

Which orange wines should I try?  

Luckily we've got some Orange Wine recommendations for you! To start, we have the Rkatsiteli (2023)  by Terra Georgia. This aroma-dominated wine packs a punch with notes of sweet spice, white flowers, ripe peach, and pear, pairs well with soft cheeses, and spicy dishes, hailing from the land of orange wines. The Tardor (2022) by Terra Ramota is another great orange wine, it has a captivating colour, with notes of apricot, flowers and sweet spices. Carrying the prestigious DO Empordà appellation, the wine is of the high quality you'd expect. This is a very versatile orange wine, accompanying a myriad of foods including seafood, mature goat cheese, anchovies from l'Escala and even spicy chicken curries... and on top of that it's organic! 

Now that we're on the same page, celebrate the bold and beautiful world of orange wines with us—just in time for National Orange Wine Day on October 6th. Cheers to sipping something extraordinary!