Red, white and rose wines are typically the key contenders when it comes to different wine types. However, there is one that is typically left out. Orange wines are becoming increasingly popular and are actually considered a rarity to some within the wine industry. Learning more about orange wine will give you a clear understanding and allow you to make your choice to try this tasty, curious trend.
History of Orange Wine
The country of Georgia is the birthplace of orange wine. Dating back to 6000 BC, orange wine has been created using citron-shaped clay vessels, also referred to as gvevri. In the early part of the 1990s, Italian winemaker Josko Gravner learned about orange wine when he visited Georgia. He returned home with unique orange wine created from Friuli grapes. Today, winemakers in Slovenia, Italy, Australia, Croatia, Chile, South Africa and the United States have experimented and created orange wines.
The Unique Aging Process
The general aging process inspired by the original orange winemakers in Georgia is unique. It involves extracting tannins, phenols and antioxidants, which produces a variety of orange hues that can range from deep amber to a golden honey color. The color will vary depending on the type of grapes used and the length of time spent in fermentation.
Different Ways to Create Orange Wine
1 – White Grape Varieties – This type of orange wine is created by allowing white wine grape varieties to spend maceration time in contact with grape skins.
2 – Orange Peel – This orange wine is sweet white wine macerated with the peel of the orange.
3 – Orange Juice Fermentation – This type of white wine is created by fermenting orange juice.
4 – Regional – This type of orange wine is made with grapes that are grown within the Orange wine region located in New South Wales, Australia.
Orange Wines to Try
- 2011 Pheasant’s Tears, Rkatsiteli, Georgia – Trying orange wine from its birth place, Georgia, is a must for wine enthusiasts. This orange wine is dry, and full of dried orchard fruit and almonds.
- 2007 Paolo Vodopivec Vitovska, Carso, Fruili, Italy – This delectable wine is created using a local grape variety called Vitovska. This orange wine is complex, a bit chewy and has notes of apricot.
- 2007 Dario Princic Vino Bianco Trebez, Collio, Fruili, Italy – This wine is a perfect blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay. It is a popular wine of the Friulian orange wine scene. It has notes of red plums, spice and is a bit tangy with salty minerals.
The orange wine trend is worth trying for a variety of reasons. It is new to most, it allows you to experience a new type of wine that others have not and it gives you a chance to try different versions from regions around the world. Once you find your favorite orange wine, add a few or several bottles to your wine collection. Enjoy this new trend and become captivated with all it has to offer.