Orange Wine: Bold, Skin Contact Whites & Amber Wines

How Is Orange Wine Made?

Making orange wine is beautifully simple, and very old. The white grapes are crushed and left in contact with their skins, seeds and sometimes stems for anything from days to many months.

That skin contact draws out colour, tannin and flavour, just as it does for red wine. The longer the contact, the deeper the colour and the firmer the grip.

The style is ancient, born thousands of years ago in the clay vessels of Georgia, and revived in recent decades by pioneers in Italy's Friuli and beyond.

Popular Orange Wine Styles

Orange wine can be made from almost any white grape. Look for aromatic Pinot Grigio, Italy's noble Ribolla Gialla, zesty Sauvignon Blanc and perfumed Gewürztraminer.

Styles range from light and gently textured to deep, tannic and powerful. From Italy come the modern classics of Friuli, while Australia's natural winemakers craft some of the most exciting orange wines of all.

Almost all are dry, savoury and food friendly, made to be explored.

How to Serve Orange Wine

Treat orange wine like a light red. Serve it lightly chilled, around 12 to 14 degrees, in a large glass so its complex aromas can unfurl.

Give bolder, more tannic styles a little air, and they will open up beautifully.

Food Pairing Ideas

Orange wine is a food lover's dream, its tannin and texture standing up to big, bold flavours. It shines with curry, tagine, roast mushrooms and hard, aged cheese.

It is also a natural with fermented and umami rich dishes, from kimchi to a generous cheese board.

What Does Orange Wine Taste Like?

Orange wine tastes like nothing else. Expect dried apricot, orange peel and bruised apple, layered with notes of nuts, honey, black tea and a savoury, earthy depth.

The real surprise is the texture. Thanks to the skins, it has a grippy tannin and weight you would never expect from a white wine.

It is complex, savoury and refreshingly dry, a world away from a simple fruity white. If you love bold, characterful wines, it is a must try.

Orange Wine Questions, Answered

Is orange wine the same as rosé?

No. Orange wine is made from white grapes left on their skins, while rosé is made from red grapes with only brief skin contact. They are almost mirror images of each other.

Is orange wine sweet?

Usually not. Despite aromas of dried fruit and honey, almost all orange wine is dry, with a savoury, tannic character rather than sweetness.

Is orange wine natural wine?

Often, but not always. Many orange wines are made by natural, low intervention winemakers, but the name simply refers to the skin contact method, not to being natural.

Why Buy Orange Wine at YourWines?

Every orange wine in our collection is handpicked by our team, from Italian trailblazers to Australia's finest natural producers, all chosen for quality and character. If you are ready for something different, this is where to start.

Explore our wider white wine range, or browse more adventurous bottles from Australia, home to so many of these skin contact gems. Cheers!