What does orange wine entail?

What does orange wine entail?

Orange wine is made from white grapes that are fermented with their skins and seeds. The grapes are usually sourced from regions with a Mediterranean climate, such as Italy, Slovenia, and Georgia, but it is becoming an increasingly popular method of winemaking in other countries as well.

The production process for orange wine begins with the harvest of the grapes. They are then pressed, and the juice is placed in fermentation tanks or large vats. The juice is then fermented with the skins, seeds, and stems for a period ranging from a few days to several months. This extended contact with the skins gives the wine its ‘orange’ color (depending on the color of the grape skin) and tannin structure.

After fermentation, the wine is aged for a period, which can range from a few months to several years depending on the producer and style of the wine. It can be aged in various vessels, including oak, acacia, chestnut barrels, stainless steel tanks, amphorae, or even clay vessels buried underground, called qvevri.

Finally, the wine is bottled and may continue to mature before being released for sale.

This type of wine can be earthy, have more structure, and sometimes be challenging, but many wine enthusiasts are rewarded with complexity and deep flavors.