Orange Wine: Ancient Tradition, Modern Obsession
- Posted on
- By Tim Graham
- Posted in Minimal Intervention, Natural Wine, Orange Wine, Skin Contact
Orange Wine: Ancient Tradition, Modern Obsession
If you’ve browsed a cutting-edge wine list or wandered into our wine shop lately, chances are you’ve noticed the rise of orange wines. Despite the name, these wines aren’t made from oranges. Instead, they’re white wines made using red-wine techniques: fermenting grape juice on its skins. The result is a kaleidoscope of amber hues, lifted aromatics, and savory, textured flavors that can surprise and delight even the most seasoned wine drinker.
At The Wine Wave, we love orange wines because they straddle two worlds: the freshness of whites and the structure of reds. They’re conversation-starters, perfect with food, and often come from winemakers who embrace minimal-intervention farming and cellar practices. To help you dive into this world, we’ve curated six standout bottles from both Old and New World producers who are shaping the orange wine movement.
What Is Orange Wine?
Orange wine is essentially white wine made like red wine. Instead of pressing grapes immediately and fermenting just the juice (the usual process for whites), the juice macerates with the grape skins and sometimes stems for days, weeks, or even months. The skins give color, tannins, and a whole new range of flavors from dried apricot to tea leaves to savory herbs.
This is not a new fad. The technique dates back thousands of years to the Caucasus region of Georgia, where wines have long been fermented in clay vessels called qvevri. What we’re seeing today is a revival of these old traditions, embraced by innovative winemakers around the globe.
Why Drink Orange Wine?
Flavor Adventure: Expect notes of citrus peel, dried fruit, honey, spice, nuts, and a touch of earthiness.
Food-Friendly: With their texture and gentle tannins, orange wines pair beautifully with foods that stump other wines: exotic and spicy dishes, umami-rich flavors, and bold cheeses.
Authenticity: Many producers working with skin-contact wines use organic or biodynamic farming and minimal intervention in the cellar.
Six Orange Wines We’re Excited About
Here are the bottles we’re featuring right now at The Wine Wave. Each one offers a different expression of orange wine, from playful and approachable to powerful and profound.
Sebastien David “Couples Goals” – Loire Valley, France
Sebastien David is a cult favorite in the Loire Valley, known for his natural approach to winemaking. Couples Goals is a playful, skin-contact white that brings David’s energy to life in the glass. Expect notes of orange zest, candied ginger, and floral tea, with a juicy freshness that makes it wildly drinkable.
Pair it with: Spicy tuna tartare, Moroccan tagines, or even a funky cheese plate. This wine thrives where both heat and umami are involved.
Poderi Cellario “È Orange” – Piedmont, Italy
The Cellario family is beloved among natural wine drinkers for their joyful, approachable bottlings that still respect deep Piedmont traditions. È Orange blends local grapes like Arneis and Moscato into a wine that bursts with dried apricots, chamomile, and a zippy citrus backbone. It’s vibrant, unpretentious, and made for sharing.
Pair it with: Antipasti spreads, roasted chicken with herbs, or sushi rolls. This is the “gateway orange” for skeptics.
Matt Crutchfield Wines Skin Contact Cortese – California, USA
From California’s new wave of natural producers, Matt Crutchfield brings us a skin-contact version of Cortese, a grape better known for Gavi in northern Italy. In his hands, it becomes something electric, textured but precise, with notes of grapefruit peel, stone fruit, and a touch of saline minerality.
Pair it with: Grilled fish tacos, roasted root vegetables, or a citrusy salad. A perfect bridge between American freshness and Italian inspiration.
Štekar “Sivi Pinot” – Goriška Brda, Slovenia
Slovenia’s Goriška Brda is one of the spiritual homes of orange wine, and Štekar is a leading name in the region. Their Sivi Pinot (Pinot Grigio) spends extended time on the skins, yielding a coppery-pink hue with flavors of dried roses, blood orange, and savory herbs. It’s both rustic and elegant, with a sense of place that speaks of Brda’s hillsides.
Pair it with: Mushroom risotto, charcuterie, or roasted duck. This wine loves earthy flavors.
Pheasant’s Tears Mtsvane Tibaani – Kakheti, Georgia
No orange wine lineup is complete without Georgia, the birthplace of the style. Pheasant’s Tears is one of the country’s most iconic natural producers, fermenting in traditional clay qvevri. Their Mtsvane Tibaani is deeply amber, tannic, and layered with flavors of dried apricot, walnut, black tea, and wild herbs. It’s as authentic as orange wine gets.
Pair it with: Lamb kebabs, eggplant with walnut paste, or rich, spiced dishes. This is a bottle for the adventurous palate.
Radikon “Jakot” – Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
If Georgia is the origin of orange wine, Friuli is its European epicenter—and Radikon is a legend. Jakot (the word “Tokaj” spelled backward, a nod to the Friulian grape once known as Tocai Friulano) spends months on its skins and years aging before release. The result is monumental: layers of honey, almond, dried apricot, and umami depth, with structure and age-worthiness more akin to a fine red than a white.
Pair it with: Aged cheeses, braised meats, or contemplative sipping on its own. This is the masterpiece of the group.
How to Approach Orange Wines
If you’re new to the category, here are a few tips:
Start Light: Wines like È Orange or Couples Goals are bright, approachable entry points.
Explore Regions: Compare Slovenia’s Štekar with Georgia’s Pheasant’s Tears to see how tradition and terroir shape the style.
Think Beyond White Wine: Don’t expect the crisp neutrality of Pinot Grigio. Orange wines carry texture and grip that make them feel closer to light reds.
Experiment with Food: Orange wines shine where other wines struggle: spicy, pickled, or earthy dishes.
The Bigger Picture
Orange wine is more than a trend—it’s a reconnection to ancient methods and a celebration of what happens when winemakers push beyond conventions. For some, it’s a discovery of new flavors. For others, it’s a philosophy of authenticity and terroir. For us at The Wine Wave, it’s both.
These six bottles showcase the diversity and excitement of the category, from the playful to the profound. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into skin contact or you’re ready to tackle the tannic intensity of Radikon and Pheasant’s Tears, there’s an orange wine here for you.
So come explore with us. Pour a glass, let the amber glow catch the light, and taste the ancient world made new.