The Earth Wine | Natural Wine Journal | Orange Wine
Orange wine is having its moment — and it’s not just because of the colour.
Made from white grapes that are fermented on their skins (just like red wine), orange wine offers bold textures, a rich amber hue, and wildly layered flavours. It’s a centuries-old method that’s suddenly everywhere again — especially among natural wine lovers who value authenticity, craft, and a little edge.
If you’re new to skin-contact wine, or wondering what makes it so special, this is your guide. Let’s dive in.
🍊 So... What Is Orange Wine, Exactly?
Orange wine is made with white grapes — but unlike most white wines, the grape skins are not removed right away. Instead, they’re left in contact with the juice during fermentation (anywhere from a few days to a few months).
This “skin contact” process adds:
- Colour: deep gold to amber
- Texture: more body and grip (thanks to tannins)
- Flavour: floral, nutty, spicy, herbal — often all in one glass
Orange wine is ancient, but it’s having a modern revival, especially among winemakers who work naturally. Many use clay amphorae (an old-school fermentation vessel), which allow slow oxygen contact and gently shape the wine’s character.
📍 Want to learn more about the lingo? Check out our Natural Wine Glossary.
🌟 Why Everyone’s Talking About It
It’s not just a fad — orange wine delivers a unique drinking experience:
- Flavour adventure: Think citrus, dried apricot, herbs, and a little funk.
- Textural magic: Like a white wine with the presence of a red.
- Food versatility: From fried snacks to spicy noodles to aged cheese.
- Naturally made: Many orange wines are wild-fermented, unfiltered, and low-intervention — just grapes and time.
And yes, the colour is stunning.
🍷 3 Orange Wines to Try Now
Here are a few bottles we love (and stock!) — each with its own twist on the style:
L'Orange — Domaine de Courbissac (Languedoc, France)
Elegant and expressive. This skin-contact wine strikes a balance between structure and softness. Notes of stone fruit, spice, and a touch of grip make it perfect for cooler evenings and roasted autumn vegetables.
Montesoro — Valli Unite (Piedmont, Italy)
Made from Moscato Bianco and aged in acacia barrels, this one brings ripe stone fruits, florals, and a hint of spice. Full of character but still super drinkable.
Trebbiano IGT — Podere San Biagio (Abruzzo, Italy)
90 days of skin contact in amphorae. Wild, expressive, and full-bodied with ripe yellow fruit and natural energy. One for the adventurous drinker.
📍 Browse our full Orange Wine Collection
🌿 It’s More Than a Trend
Orange wine is part of a larger shift — toward wines that are:
- Grown organically or biodynamically
- Made with native yeasts and no additives
- Unfiltered, unfined, and honest
At The Earth Wine, we believe wine should taste like where it comes from — with nothing to hide. Orange wine fits that ethos perfectly: real, raw, and made with care.
Whether you’re deep into natural wine or just orange-curious, there’s a bottle waiting for you.
📍 Still not sure where to start? Try our Autumn Wine Pack — one orange, one white, one chillable red, all naturally made.
📍 Head back to our Natural Wine Journal for more stories, guides, and glossaries.
#OrangeWine #NaturalWine #SkinContact #TheEarthWine #DrinkWithCharacter
