A guide to the style everyone’s talking about – and where to find the best orange wines to try first
Let’s get one thing straight: orange wine isn’t made from oranges. It’s actually a white wine made using red wine methods — which means skins, texture, and a lot more personality in the glass.
At Crushed & Cured, we’ve fallen hard for this bold, golden-hued style. If you’re new to the category or just curious to try something different, we’re breaking down what orange wine is, why it's having a moment, and how to discover the best orange wines for your taste.
So, What Is Orange Wine?
Orange wine (also called skin-contact white wine) is made from white grapes that are fermented with their skins and seeds — just like red wine. This extra contact gives the wine its distinctive amber colour, deeper, richer flavour profile, a fuller body with more texture than white wines and a hint of gentle tannin.
It’s not a new trend — winemakers in Georgia have been making orange wines for thousands of years — but it’s definitely having a resurgence, especially among small, independent producers who focus on natural and low-intervention winemaking.
Why People Love Orange Wine
People often describe orange wine as a crossover between red and white — something with structure, depth, and a slightly wild side. The best orange wines balance bold flavours with beautiful freshness.
Expect notes of:
- Dried orange peel and stone fruit
- Herbs, spice, and subtle tannins
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A dry, savoury finish (sometimes with a little funk)
It’s one of the most food-friendly styles out there — especially good with spice, bold cheeses, grilled veg, and dishes that usually throw off more delicate wines.
Is Orange Wine the Same as Natural Wine?
Not always, but there’s a lot of overlap.
Many orange wines are made naturally — with minimal intervention, wild yeasts, and little-to-no added sulphur. But orange refers to style, not philosophy. You can find both natural orange wines and more conventional versions.
At Crushed & Cured, most of the orange wines we stock are both — natural and delicious. Which brings us to the good stuff...
The Best Orange Wines to Try First
If you’re new to orange wine, here are a few bottles we love introducing people to:
1. Solara, Orange, Viile Timisului, Romania
A complex and structured wine, with elegant but discreet fruit flavours of stone fruits, backed up with a powerful tannin structure and long finish. A natural minimal intervention wine which is well balanced and structured yet pure and incredibly fresh.
2. Bedoba, Orange – Natural Orange Wine from Georgia
Made in qvevri (clay pots) the traditional way. This wine mesmerizes with flavours of dried apricot, honey, orange peel, and wild herbs. It has a captivating texture and complexity. A brilliant match for Middle Eastern flavours.
3. Rallo Azienda Agricola, Vicoletto Catarratto – Organic Orange Wine from Sicily
This ‘Orange’ wine is bright yet slightly cloudy in colour thanks to the natural approach to winemaking; with no stabilisation, fining or filtration resulting in a wine with very low sulphur levels. The bouquet is a beautiful mix of citrus, grapefruit, apple and white flesh fruits that follows onto the palate.
4. Celler de Capçanes, Cap Sentit Orange – Chillable Skin-Contact for Summer
A delicious wine made from 100% Garnacha Blanca grapes with an intense golden colour and amber reflections due to the time on skins; the nose is reminiscent of ripe peach, apricot and floral notes, whilst the palate displays the textural appeal of the variety, orchard fruit characters and perfectly poised acidity.
5. Bodegas Altolandon, Enblanco de Altolandon – Bold & Wild Orange Wine
The wine is produced as naturally as possible and fermented spontaneously on the skins in 1000 litre amphora to maximise the potential of the grapes. There are no added sulphites.
A funkier bottle for those ready to go all in. Cloudy, punchy, and packed with flavour.
How to Serve Orange Wine
- Chill lightly – Around 10–12°C is ideal. Too cold and you’ll mute the flavour, too warm and it can get overpowering.
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Use a wide glass – Let it open up and show off its aromas.
Don’t be afraid to decant – Especially for deeper, more structured styles.
Final Pour
Whether you’re curious about skin-contact wines or already a convert, there’s never been a better time to explore the world of orange wine. From light and elegant to bold and funky, the best orange wines are all about texture, flavour, and expression.
At Crushed & Cured, we’ve handpicked bottles we love — wines with real character, from independent producers who care about what’s in the glass.
