To begin with, Orange Wine like any other wine is made from grapes. So then, are the grapes Orange? Well, not quite. They are simply white grapes that are treated differently in the wine making Process. So what makes orange wine different from other wines made from white grapes? To answer this question it is probably best to understand the unique attributes of Orange Wine.
First and most obviously, the color ranges anywhere from light orange to dark amber. Secondly, much like red wine, orange wine has tannins. These are the peppery, often bitter Substances that give a drying, astringent sensation.
These two differences are a result of treating white grapes more like a red wine. White wines are generally gently pressed as soon as they are picked. In this way the juice is immediately separated from the skins, so that any color or astringent substances in the skins do not affect the finished wine. Red wines and orange wines, on the other hand, are first crushed, and then left to soak on the skins for an extended period to extract color and tannins.
This results in a wine that drinks more like a red wine, making it suitable for pairing with heavier meat dishes such as steaks, chops, and stews. If you have never tasted an orange wine, don’t be afraid. There are a range of styles with varying levels of skin contact. Some can actually be pleasantly delicate and fruity with fairly gently tannins. The staff here at 67 Wine would be happy to introduce you to this fun category of wine.
- Rand Sieger, 67Wine Buyer
“Orange wines are made from white grapes which macerate on the skins for an extended period of time. Skin contact can last for several hours, to days, weeks, months up to one year and give the resulting wine tannins. The wine is vinified dry, however depending on the grape(s) used, there may be a level of sweetness, some even drink like red wines. Examples of grapes used in Italy whites are Grillo, Insolia , Sauvion, Zibibbo (Muscat) and Catarratto. Examples of grapes used in South of France are Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc and Roussanne.” - Debra Desepoli, 67Wine Buyer
Browse Our Orange Wine Collection