Orange wine is a fascinating category of natural wine made from white grapes fermented with their skins, giving it a distinctive amber or orange hue. This list covers 10 exceptional orange wines from various regions and styles, perfect for adventurous wine lovers looking to expand their palate beyond traditional white and red wines.
Radikon Slatnik
Produced in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, Radikon Slatnik is one of the most iconic orange wines, made from Ribolla Gialla grapes left on skins for months. Its rich texture and complex aromas of dried apricot, tea leaves, and spices showcase the power of skin contact fermentation. This wine is worth trying for its balance of oxidative aging and freshness, offering a benchmark for quality orange wines.
Gravner Ribolla Gialla
Also from Friuli, Gravner’s orange Ribolla Gialla is a cult favorite among natural wine enthusiasts. The grapes undergo extended maceration, producing a deeply tannic yet elegant wine with flavors of honey, wild herbs, and orange peel. Gravner’s commitment to minimal intervention and long aging makes this wine a compelling study in patience and terroir expression.
Foradori Fuoripista
From Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy, Foradori Fuoripista is a skin-contact wine made from Nosiola grapes, a rare indigenous variety. It offers a bright orange color with lively acidity and notes of dried citrus, almond, and a subtle savory character. This wine is notable for its freshness and approachability among orange wines, making it a great introduction to the style.
Channing Daughters Skin Fermented Pinot Gris
Produced in Long Island, New York, this orange wine is crafted from Pinot Gris grapes fermented on skins for several weeks. It features a vibrant amber hue with flavors of baked apple, chamomile, and a hint of tannin uncommon in whites. Channing Daughters’ focus on biodynamics and terroir-driven wine makes this a standout American orange wine.
Branko Mihaljević Malvazija
Hailing from Istria, Croatia, Branko Mihaljević’s Malvazija is an expressive orange wine made with extended maceration. It delivers bright, tangy notes of orange zest, dried flowers, and a touch of earthiness, balancing freshness and texture. This wine highlights the rich tradition of orange winemaking in the Adriatic region and is prized for its purity and vibrancy.
Venica & Venica ‘Oslavje’ Vitovska
Venica & Venica’s ‘Oslavje’ is an orange wine from the Vitovska grape, native to the Slovenian-Italian border. The wine undergoes skin contact for about two weeks, resulting in a complex amber liquid with aromas of apricot, honey, and herbs. It is valued for its finesse, food-friendliness, and the ability to age gracefully while maintaining freshness.
Radchenko Orange Wine
From the Finger Lakes region, USA, Radchenko produces a skin-contact Riesling that stands out for its balance of acidity and tannin. The wine offers flavors of dried citrus, chamomile, and a mineral backbone characteristic of the region’s slate soils. It’s a fine example of American orange wine that bridges Old World technique with New World terroir.
Movia Lunar
Movia, from Slovenia’s Goriška Brda region, makes Lunar, an orange wine from Pinot Gris fermented on skins for about 15 days. Lunar is known for its elegant structure, with notes of orange peel, tea, and dried apricot, combined with a subtle tannic grip. This wine exemplifies Movia’s philosophy of minimal intervention and respect for native yeasts.
La Stoppa Ageno
La Stoppa’s Ageno from Emilia-Romagna, Italy, is made from Malvasia di Candia Aromatica grapes with extended skin contact and aging in amphorae. It presents a deep amber color with flavors of quince, saffron, and a hint of oxidative complexity. This wine is prized for its textural richness and aromatic intensity, showcasing ancient winemaking techniques revived.
Radikon Jakot
Another masterpiece from Radikon, Jakot is a blend of Chardonnay and Tokai grapes with prolonged skin contact and aging in large oak barrels. It combines robust tannins with vibrant acidity and complex flavors of dried stone fruits, orange peel, and smoky herbs. Jakot is a powerful, age-worthy orange wine that demonstrates the depth and longevity this style can achieve.
How to Choose
When selecting orange wine, consider the grape variety, region, and production style. Some orange wines like those from Friuli (Radikon, Gravner) tend to be more tannic and oxidative, while others from Slovenia or the US may feel fresher and more fruit-driven. Look for skin contact duration and aging methods (amphora, oak, stainless steel) to gauge texture and complexity. Personal taste matters—if you prefer lighter, more aromatic wines, choose shorter macerations; for richer, savory profiles, opt for longer skin contact and aged bottles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is orange wine?
Orange wine is white wine made by fermenting white grapes with their skins, imparting color and tannins similar to red wine.
Does orange wine taste like oranges?
No, the name refers to its color, not flavor. Orange wines often have complex, savory, and dried fruit notes rather than citrus flavors.
Is orange wine natural wine?
Many orange wines are made with minimal intervention and native yeasts, aligning with natural wine principles, but not all are strictly natural.
What foods pair well with orange wine?
Orange wines pair well with rich, spicy, and fermented foods like Indian curries, charcuterie, and aged cheeses due to their tannic and acidic structure.
How should orange wine be served?
Serve orange wine slightly chilled, around 50-55°F (10-13°C), to highlight its aromatic complexity without muting texture.
Are orange wines age-worthy?
Yes, many orange wines with extended skin contact and proper aging can develop complex tertiary flavors over 5-10 years or more.
Final Thoughts
Orange wine offers a unique and rewarding tasting experience that bridges the gap between white and red wines. Its diversity—from light and fresh to deeply tannic and oxidative—means there is an orange wine to suit many palates and occasions. Exploring the producers listed here provides a solid foundation for understanding this intriguing style and discovering new favorites in your wine collection.
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