Orange wines

Although many orange wines can be found among natural wines, this initially has nothing to do with it. An orange wine is a white wine that is made like a red wine. This means that the grape skins remain on the mash (the name given to the mash that is still fermenting, including the berry skins and pips) during fermentation, which can take several days or even a few weeks, depending on the style and desired color, before it is pressed. And this is precisely how the colour pigments contained in the berry skin create orange to amber tones in the wine.

This means that an orange wine can be made from any white wine, whether natural or not. Orange wines are therefore often also natural wines, as their winemakers want to give the wine more complexity and character through the prolonged contact with the mash. Orange wines are also called mash-fermented wines.

In principle, orange wines definitely taste different from classic red or white wines. Due to the longer contact with the skins, the wine acquires a somewhat rougher, grippier texture, caused by the tannins from the grape skins that are transferred to the juice in the process. Many winemakers experiment with different maceration times and thus produce extremely different, complex wines. Some aromas you will find in orange wine are candied fruits, nuts, almonds, caramel, honey and dried dates and figs, but also complex herbal and planty aromas. 

Each grape also has a different colour depending on its ripeness. Aromatic grape varieties such as Gewürztraminer or Sauvignon Blanc are particularly suitable for orange wine, because the interplay between exotic aromas and longer skin contact during fermentation produces extremely special and individual orange wines.

Since orange wines taste very individually, there is something for everyone. That sounds interesting? If you're looking for something new and want to take a ride beyond conventional tastes, you're definitely in the right place with orange wines.

What we call "aromas" are combinations of tactile and olfactory sensations. To understand the concept of texture in an orange wine, you should focus exclusively on its tactile quality. The texture of an orange wine (basically all natural wines) determines the timing of the development of its aromas, i.e. its rhythm.

Texture includes the elementary taste categories (sour, salty, bitter, sweet), which are essentially tactile sensations perceived on the tongue. Texture basically depends on three components: Tannins, yeast and CO2.

Tannins or tannin, which are produced in orange wines due to prolonged skin contact, make our tongues friable. But not all tannins are the same: ripe tannins are preferable to green tannins, natural tannins to artificial ones. Ripe natural tannins in a well-made orange wine move with the grace of a canoe rowing through calm waters.

Orange wines are anything but new – their roots trace back to ancient Georgia, where white grapes were fermented with their skins in clay amphorae (Qvevris). This traditional skin-contact fermentation gives the wine its signature orange to amber hue – and a bold, textured flavor that floats somewhere between white and red wine.

Even the Romans, and later medieval Europe, used this method because orange wine was not only robust and age-worthy, but also simpler to make – unlike red wine, which spoiled quickly. During the Renaissance, it faded into obscurity. Today, it’s making a comeback.

Whether as Vino Orange in Friuli, Narančasto vino in Croatia, or Ribolla Gialla from Slovenia – orange wines are in demand again, especially among natural winemakers who blend ancient wisdom with new ideas. They ferment spontaneously, avoid additives, and push each grape variety to its full potential.

Orange wine remains a niche – but one that’s growing. For everyone ready to rethink wine. Raw. Real. Radically different.

Orange wines can indeed be challenging, partly due to a stronger tannin structure or bitter notes. That's why we like to offer recommendations for an optimal introduction to these exciting wines.

The Weißer Mulatschak by Meinklang is our most approachable, easy-drinking orange wine. Juicy pears and peaches surf over the palate, perfect for the summer!

The Morio by Georg Lingenfelder is like a concentrated burst of Flower Power, but without the kitsch and with a lot of juiciness. The combination of aromatic Morios with extended skin contact is something truly special.

The Riesling by Carrousel de Tete shows that Riesling is a total all-rounder. Compared to the aforementioned orange wines, it has a noticeably spicier and more complex taste, yet it also possesses a soothing floral side.

Ready for an exciting journey beyond the usual tastes? Orange wine is the trendsetter in the natural wine scene that challenges your taste buds and sends them on a journey. Due to the special vinification process with a longer skin contact time, extremely complex and individual flavours are created. Here are some suggestions for dishes that make an unforgettable combination with orange wines:

From Korean tacos to Mexican ceviche to Indian samosas, the experimental character of orange wine perfectly complements the intense spices and sauces of these dishes. Aromatically scented orange wines are particularly suitable for this.

Orange wine can also be a fantastic companion for vegan dishes, such as: a creamy aubergine stew, a delicately spicy cauliflower steak or a spicy tofu curry. The variety of flavours and textures in Orange wine brings out the plant-based combinations and makes for an exciting taste experience.

For seafood lovers, Orange wine offers the ideal accompaniment for seafood. Whether fresh oysters, grilled scallops or a rich seafood paella with a glass of Orange wine. The diverse flavours and fine tannin enhance the salty sea aromas and make for an unforgettable experience.

Especially in Styria, a hotspot for biodynamic wine production, orange wine is currently experiencing a renaissance. Here, lean, mineral-rich soils like Opok or slate meet a mix of indigenous and international grape varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc or Muskateller – perfect conditions for expressive, skin-fermented white wines. Winemakers like Roland Tauss or Franz Strohmeier rely on minimal intervention, giving the wine not only extra depth but a tangible sense of place.

If you want to dive deeper into the world of orange wine, try exploring different regions: From Styria to Friuli to Slovenia – each area brings its own unique style. Whether crisp and fruit-forward or herbal and earthy, whether clean-cut or wild and lively – orange wines are like little works of art in a glass. And yes, they can be edgy. That’s exactly what makes them so irresistible.