Orange Wine

What is orange wine?

Orange wine might just be the most misunderstood wine style of the moment. Despite its name, it has nothing to do with oranges. It's actually a white wine made like a red wine.

Normally, white grapes are pressed immediately and fermented without their skins. With orange wine, the winemaker allows the skins (and sometimes seeds and stems) to ferment together with the juice. This process is called maceration.

The result:

• A color that varies from golden yellow to deep amber
• More structure and tannins (like red wine)
• Complex, often spicy and slightly funky flavors

Think of it as the missing link between white and red.

Buy orange wine

Glou offers a wide range of different orange wines, so you can buy both lighter and heavier orange wines with more structure or something lighter to sip calmly in the sun.

We have regular orange wines, but also wines that are a bit more funky and expressive, so there's something for everyone.

How is orange wine made?

The production process of orange wine is surprisingly simple — and at the same time very artisanal.

Step by step:

1. Harvesting white grapes Think of grapes like Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, or Ribolla Gialla.
2. Maceration (skin contact) The grapes are crushed and fermented with their skins. This can take anywhere from a few days to several months.
3. Spontaneous fermentation (often) Many producers work with wild yeasts and minimal intervention.
4. Aging In stainless steel, wooden barrels, or traditional amphorae (qvevri).
5. Little to no filtration or sulfites This creates a pure, vibrant character.

This process gives orange wine its typical grip, structure, and complexity.

What does orange wine taste like?

Orange wine is anything but standard. Don't expect a fresh, simple white wine.

Typical flavors:

• Dried fruit (apricot, orange peel)
• Tea, herbs, and spices
• Nutty and slightly oxidative
• Sometimes funky

Texture:

• More body than white
• Light tannins (like red wine)
• Often dry and gastronomic

Perfect for those looking for something exciting beyond classic wine styles.

Orange wine is not new but has existed for years

While orange wine is trendy today, it is actually one of the oldest wine styles in the world.

• Georgia (± 8000 years ago) This is where the technique of skin-contact fermentation in buried clay vessels (qvevri) originated. This tradition still exists today.
• Italy & Slovenia (1990s revival) Pioneers in regions like Friuli and Slovenia brought the style back to life, in reaction to industrial wine.
• Today Orange wine is a fixture within the natural wine movement and is gaining popularity worldwide.

What seems new is actually centuries old.

Food pairing: what to eat with orange wine?

Due to its structure, orange wine is super versatile.

• Poultry and light meat dishes
• Asian cuisine (spices + umami)
• Grilled vegetables

Where white is too light and red is too heavy, orange wine fits perfectly in between.