Orange wine is something new for me. I’ve seen it on menus in bars and restaurants in Madrid and Barcelona yet I’ve not come across it in La Rioja.
What is it?
Before you ask, it’s not made of oranges instead of grapes! 🤦🏻♀️
🔸Orange wine is a white wine made using a red wine technique. It’s also known as skin-contact wine, skin-fermented wine, or amber wine.
How is it made?
🔸White wine grapes are fermented with their skins and seeds for an extended period.
🔸This process extracts colour pigment, phenols, and tannins from the skins.
🔸The result is a complex, robust wine with a characteristic amber hue.
What does it taste like?
🔸Orange wine has a unique flavour that falls somewhere in between white wine and red wine.
🔸It has enough body to stand up to flavourful dishes.
What dishes would I pair it with?
🔸Orange wine pairs well with fermented, spicy dishes like kimchi, savoury cheese and charcuterie plates, hearty vegetables such as mushrooms and squash, and all kinds of meat and fish.
Next time I’m in Barcelona, I’m definitely going to try it!
Have you tried it?