Orange wine is having its moment in Hong Kong — and it’s not just because of the cool colour.
Made from white grapes that are fermented on their skins (just like red wine), Orange Wine (also known as Skin-Contact Wine or Amber Wine) offers bold textures, a rich hue, and wildly layered flavours. It’s a centuries-old "Ancestral" 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 2025 guide. Let’s dive in.
🍊 So... What Is Orange Wine, Exactly?
Orange wine is made with white grapes — but unlike most white wines where skins are removed, the grape skins are left in contact with the juice during fermentation. This process, known as Skin Contact, can last anywhere from a few days to a few months.
This contact with skins adds three things that regular white wine lacks:
- Colour: Ranges from deep gold to bright tangerine and rusty amber.
- Texture: More body and grip (thanks to tannins, similar to red wine).
- Flavour: Floral, nutty, spicy, herbal — often all in one glass.
While the technique is ancient (originating in Georgia thousands of years ago), it is having a modern revival. Many natural winemakers use clay amphorae to allow slow oxygen contact, gently shaping the wine’s complex character.
🌟 Why Everyone in HK is Talking About It
It’s not just a trend — Orange wine delivers a unique drinking experience that fits perfectly with the Hong Kong palate:
- Flavour Adventure: Think citrus peel, dried apricot, tea leaves, and a pleasant "funk."
- Textural Magic: It drinks like a white wine but has the structure of a red.
- Food Pairing Hero: This is the best part. The tannins in Orange Wine cut through oil and spice, making it the ultimate pairing for Dim Sum, Spicy Noodles, and Cantonese Roast Meats.
🍷 3 Orange Wines to Try Now (2025 Picks)
Here are the bottles we love — currently in stock and ready to ship:
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The Complex One: Neanderthal (Cantina Martinelli) For those who want to experience the full potential of skin contact. Neanderthal is unique, complex, and full of character. It offers deep layers of texture that evolve in the glass. It’s not just a wine; it’s a conversation starter.
2. The Elegant One: L'Orange (Domaine de Courbissac) From the Languedoc region of France, this is elegance in a bottle. Strikes a perfect balance between structure and softness. Notes of stone fruit, spice, and a touch of grip make it perfect for cooler evenings and roasted vegetables.
3. The Best Value: I 🧡 Orange Wine Pack Can't decide? Our curated Orange Wine Pack is the best way to explore. It features a selection of our favorite skin-contact bottles, from introductory styles to deeper, more complex ambers. Perfect for a tasting party at home!
🌿 It’s More Than a Trend
Orange wine is part of a larger shift toward Natural Wines that are:
- Grown organically or biodynamically.
- Made with native yeasts and no additives.
- Unfiltered & Unfined: Real, raw, and cloudy.
At The Earth Wine, we believe wine should taste like where it comes from — with nothing to hide. Orange wine fits that ethos perfectly.
Ready to explore the funk? Shop our full Orange Wine Collection here with free delivery in Hong Kong on orders over HK$1000.
📍 Head back to our Natural Wine Journal for more stories, guides, and glossaries.
#OrangeWine #NaturalWine #SkinContact #TheEarthWine #DrinkWithCharacter
