Despite the name, orange wine isn’t made from oranges at all. Instead, it’s a white wine made using a very old method: fermenting the juice along with the grape skins and seeds, just like red wine. This process, often called skin-contact winemaking, gives the wine its striking amber or copper hue, as well as richer texture, subtle tannins, and complex, layered flavors. Depending on the grape variety, you might taste notes of dried fruit, herbs, honey, or even a gentle nuttiness. “We love how orange wine surprises people, most expect something sweet because of the name, but instead they find this beautiful balance of texture, aroma, and complexity,” says the team at Roma Wine & Liquors in New York City.
While some bottles lean bold and earthy, many orange wines are surprisingly smooth, balanced, and easy to enjoy, especially when paired with food.
This style dates back thousands of years, with its earliest roots in the Republic of Georgia, where winemakers still use clay vessels called qvevri to naturally ferment and age their wines underground. From there, the tradition spread across Eastern Europe and parts of Italy, before re-emerging in the modern wine scene.
Why Orange Wine Is Suddenly Everywhere
While the technique is ancient, orange wine’s popularity has exploded in recent years. Retailers and restaurants around the world are stocking it in greater numbers, and it’s become a talking point at wine bars from London to Los Angeles. Online wine marketplace Drizly reported that sales jumped 167% year-over-year, and UK retailers have seen triple-digit growth, with some chains selling out shortly after new bottles hit the shelves. If you have noticed orange wine appearing on menus or shop shelves and wondered whether it was worth trying, this surge is your sign.
A big part of its appeal is visual; its warm, sunset-like color is naturally Instagram-worthy, but there’s more to it than looks. For wine drinkers who feel stuck between choosing a crisp white or a bold red, orange wine offers a middle ground: refreshing yet structured, easy to sip yet layered enough to pair with a wide variety of foods. It also fits neatly into the natural wine movement, appealing to people who seek out wines made with minimal intervention, native yeasts, and organic or biodynamic practices.
“We’ve noticed our customers often come in looking for something new to bring to a dinner party, and orange wine is the bottle that gets people talking all night,” notes Roma Wine & Liquors.
Where It’s Made and Who’s Leading the Way
Georgia remains the spiritual home of orange wine, and a visit there will reveal just how deeply ingrained this method is in the country’s culture. In northeastern Italy, regions like Friuli-Venezia Giulia produce some of the most elegant examples, often from grapes such as Ribolla Gialla. Slovenia, which shares a border with Friuli, is another hotbed for high-quality orange wines, with small producers crafting bottles that are earthy and aromatic.
Beyond Europe, you’ll find standout producers in Spain, Croatia, Austria, and even further afield in New Zealand, Australia, and California. In New York City, the trend has caught on so strongly that independent shops now dedicate entire shelves to skin-contact bottles.
What to Try if You’re New to Orange Wine
If you’re curious about orange wine but not sure where to begin, it helps to start with bottles that are approachable in flavor and easy to pair with food. These options offer a gentle introduction while still showing off the style’s unique character:
Anselmo Mendes 2020 Contacto Alvarinho
Biokult 2019 Naken Made with Organic Grapes White
Good Intentions 2018 Gris Diddly Dee Pinot Gris
Grosgrain 2020 Skin-Contact Les Collines Vineyard Sémillon
Reyneke 2018 Reserve Biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc
Tinto Amorio 2021 Monje Skin-Contact Orange Gewürztraminer
Orange wine pairs beautifully with a wide range of foods such as roasted meats, seafood, cheeses, and vegetable dishes, making it a versatile choice for dinner parties or holiday meals.
As Roma Wine & Liquors puts it, “It’s one of the most food-friendly wines we’ve ever stocked, you can bring it to a cheese night, a roast dinner, or even a summer picnic and it just works
Final Sip
Orange wine isn’t just a fleeting trend, it’s the revival of one of the world’s oldest winemaking traditions, now embraced by a new generation of wine drinkers. With its beautiful color, distinctive taste, and rich history, it’s a style worth exploring, whether you’re sharing a bottle with friends or enjoying a quiet glass at home.
ZestYears Contributor Roma Wines & Liquors
