Unlike the name suggests, orange wine isn’t made from oranges. So what is orange wine? Think white grapes with skin contact!

Typically when making white wine, the skins, seeds and stems are removed almost immediately after the grapes have been harvested. The red wine process retains contact with skins, seeds and stems to give colour, texture and tannins.

So what does this mean for orange wine? There is skin contact during the fermentation process (it could be for days, months or years!) This results in a deeper colour than a white wine, as well as more body and texture.

So where did it come from? Is it a modern fad? It is actually thought to date back thousands of years and potentially originated in Georgia. They historically made wine in a Qvevri, a large clay pot buried in the ground. Other countries that have historically made Orange Wine include Italy and Portugal.

Enough history, so what about Orange Wine today? Lots of countries are now producing Orange Wine including South Africa, US, Australia, Italy, Georgia and Austria.

And how does it taste?

Brace yourself for something bold, intense and occasionally funky. There is a spectrum of flavours from honeyed fruits to nuts, saline to sourdough.

Ready to tackle orange wine? Here are some pairing ideas to get you started:

1. Korean BBQ: The bold and spicy flavors of Korean BBQ can be balanced out by the tannins and acidity in orange wine. Try pairing orange wine with BBQ beef or pork.

2. Indian street food: Orange wine's acidity can cut through the richness of Indian street food. Get some takeaway from Bengal Brothers, and a bottle of orange wine from Crushed. What a banger of a combo!

3. Mexican mole: Mole comes in a variety of styles - including yellow, red, green and black. The earthy flavours of Mexican mole sauce, which often includes ingredients like dried chiles, spices, and chocolate, pair well with Orange Wine. If you want to explore Mole further, I highly recommend going to Oaxaca!

4. Smoked meats: Orange wine's savory and slightly smoky notes make it a great pairing for smoked meats like brisket, ham, or bacon.

Ready to taste some Orange Wine and explore some fun food pairings? Check out our next tasting event exploring the World of Pink and Orange Wine on Friday 14 April.