The Complete Guide to Orange wines: Taste, Origins, and Top Picks

So you've been scrolling through Instagram and keep seeing these gorgeous amber-colored wines popping up on your feed? Those bottles with hashtags like #skincontact and #orangeisthenewwhite make you wonder if someone's actually fermenting oranges into wine (they're not, by the way). If you've ever been curious enough to grab one of these intriguing bottles but felt a bit lost about what you were getting into, you're not alone.

Let me take you on a journey into the world of orange wines. It's this amazing category that somehow manages to be both ancient and trendy, traditional yet rebellious, and familiar but completely mind-blowing at the same time. 

What Is Orange Wine?

Let’s clear something up right away, orange wines isn’t made from oranges. It’s made from white grapes, but with a twist. Instead of removing the grape skins right after pressing (like in typical white wine), the skins are left in during fermentation, just like how red wine is made. This is a technique called skin contact where skins soak in the juice for days or months. In the process, release color, tannins, and bold flavor compounds, giving the wine a stunning copper or amber hue.

The result is a unique wine that has the body and structure of a red, the brightness of a white, and a flavor profile all its own. Some people call it amber wine or skin-contact white, but let’s be honest, orange wine is way more fun to say. 

Where Did Orange Wine Come From?

Orange wine is actually one of the oldest wine styles in the world, though it’s trending recently. It dates back 6,000 to 8,000 years, starting in Georgia (the country, not the U.S.). Winemakers there used massive underground clay vessels called qvevri to ferment white grapes like Rkatsiteli with their skins intact.

This traditional method was nearly forgotten until the 1990s, when Italian winemaker Josko Gravner visited Georgia and was blown away. He brought the technique back to Friuli, Italy, and kickstarted a revival that quickly spread to Slovenia and beyond. Today, orange wine is having a serious comeback, from natural wine bars in Brooklyn to Parisian wine shops, all the way back to its roots in Georgia. 

What Does Orange Wine Taste Like?

This is where it gets really fun. Orange wine doesn’t taste like a typical white or red, it’s somewhere in between, but with its own personality. You might notice tannins (those slightly drying sensations you usually get with red wine), plus a richer texture and deeper flavors, because of the prolonged skin contact.

You’ll often pick up notes like bruised apple, toasted almonds, and dried apricots, thanks to oxygen exposure during fermentation. Some bottles lean more herbal and tea-like, with hints of chamomile or orange peel.

Others are floral and aromatic, especially those made from Gewürztraminer or Ribolla Gialla, bringing in rose petals or citrus blossoms.

And don’t be surprised if you get some earthy or mineral tones, think mushroom or wet stone. In warmer climates, orange wines can even develop a spicy kick with flavors like ginger, cardamom, or white pepper. 

Which Grapes Are Used to make Orange wines?

Technically, you can make orange wine from any white grape, but a few really shine in this style. In Georgia, Rkatsiteli is the star, giving bold, spicy wines that age beautifully. In Italy and Slovenia, Ribolla Gialla is a favorite, offering bright acidity, citrus, and floral notes.

Pinot Grigio, when made in the traditional Ramato (copper-colored) style, transforms into a fruit-forward, softly spiced wine. And Gewürztraminer, already known for its aromatic power, becomes even more expressive with rose, lychee, and exotic spice jumping from the glass. Around the world, winemakers are experimenting with local grapes like Chenin Blanc, Viognier, and Moschofilero, giving orange wine new and exciting twists. 

How Is Orange Wine Made?

At its core, orange wine is all about letting white grapes sit with their skins during fermentation. This is what gives it color, tannins, and that signature depth of flavor. The winemaker decides how long to keep the skins in, sometimes just a few days for a lighter style, or several months for a more intense, age-worthy wine.

And just like food cooked in different pots tastes different, the fermentation vessel matters too. Some use qvevri or amphorae, the traditional clay pots for earthy, old-world vibes. Others go for stainless steel for a cleaner taste, or concrete tanks for texture. Aging in wood barrels can also bring in subtle spice and roundness. 

How Long Do the Skins Stay in Contact?

The big difference with orange wine is how long the grape skins stay in contact with the juice. A short time (just a few days) makes a light, easy-drinking wine. A medium time (a few weeks) gives more flavor and balance. A long time (months) makes strong, bold wines that can age for years.

The Best Orange Wines to try right now!

If you're ready to dive in to try the best orange wines, here are some producers and specific wines that really represent the best of what orange wine can be.

Biokult Naken Orange Wine

Borgo Savaian Aransat Orange Wine

Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc

Quady Electra Moscato

How to Store Orange Wines?

How you store orange wine really matters. Keeping it in a cool, steady place with a temperature ideally around 55 to 60°F is best. Avoid bright light and shaking it around too much. If it has a cork, store it on its side to keep the cork from drying out. Some of the best orange wines can even taste better after a little short-term aging.

What’s the best way to serve Orange wines?

Orange wine is best enjoyed at the right temperature. Serve it slightly cooler than red wine but warmer than white, around 50 to 55°F. Use a large, round glass to let those beautiful aromatics shine. If you’ve got a bold, tannic bottle, give it a little time to breathe by decanting it for 30 to 60 minutes before serving. And don’t rush, let the wine warm up and evolve in the glass. That’s part of what makes drinking the best orange wines such a fun and layered experience.

What’s the Aging Potential of Orange wines?

Drink light orange wines within 2 to 3 years to enjoy their fresh, bright flavors. Give medium-bodied bottles 3 to 5 years to develop more complexity. Let powerful, traditional styles age 10 years or more if you want deeper character. And when it comes to Georgian qvevri wines, you can cellar them for decades, because they’re built to last.

What are the health benefits of Orange wines?

Orange wines offer some unique health compounds thanks to how they're made.

The extended skin contact extracts significantly more polyphenols than traditional white wine production, getting close to levels found in red wines. These polyphenols include powerful antioxidants that may offer health benefits similar to those people talk about with red wine consumption.

Of course, moderation is still key for any potential health benefits, but it's pretty cool that these wines might be giving you a little extra something good along with all that amazing flavor. 

Ready to sip?

Orange wine has its own rhythm. Easygoing, layered, and a little unexpected. Whether you're just curious or already a fan, it's a great way to try something a bit different without straying too far.

So, Chill the bottle, pour it into a roomy glass, and take it slow. Let the wine evolve as you sip. It’s all part of the experience. Browse the best Orange wines at Arlington wine and Liquor!