A MAJOR TREND SHAPING CONTEMPORARY FOOD CULTURE
History, identity, and lasting appeal
Orange wine is a white wine made using red wine techniques. White grapes are fermented with their skins, a process known as skin-contact maceration. This method gives the wine its orange color, as well as more texture and tannins, like those found in red wines.
Like all wines, it offers a wide range of flavor profiles. Its taste and aromatic expression depend on the grape variety, length of maceration, and many other winemaking parameters.
A millennia-old origin
Orange wine started over 6,000 years ago in Georgia, where it was made in large clay pots called qvevri buried underground.
After being mostly forgotten for centuries, it came back in the 1990s, especially in Italy’s Friuli region, Slovenia, and Austria. Winemakers rediscovered skin-contact maceration, drawing inspiration from Georgian techniques while rejecting overly technical wines.
Estates such as Gravner and Radikon are now considered the pioneers of modern orange wine.
Orange wine in contemporary food culture
A curious and knowledgeable audience
This wine appeals primarily to wine enthusiasts or consumers already familiar with the wine world. It is not an entry-level wine, but rather a discovery wine, enjoyed by those seeking new tasting experiences. It fits into a broader movement focused on craftsmanship, sustainability, and authenticity.
A good example is the organic orange wine made by Gérard Bertrand, a leading biodynamic winemaker in France.
Where can you find orange wine?
Orange wine is most commonly available in major cities such as Paris, London, Berlin, New York, and Tokyo.
It is deliberately rare in mass-market retail, preserving its image as a wine for informed consumers.
In Paris, Le Baratin, a well-known bistro and wine bar, is famous for serving orange wines.
Discover the places where you can taste it:
A niche but premium and growing market
Its success lies in the unique tasting experience it offers. It pairs particularly well with Asian cuisine, which is currently very popular, as well as with vegetarian dishes. It represents a middle ground between white and red wine: fresher than red wine, yet more structured than white wine.
Although still a niche market, orange wine is growing, often positioned as a premium product. Prices typically range from €15 to over €100, spanning accessible bottles and iconic cuvées sought after by sommeliers.
A cultural and lifestyle object
Beyond being a beverage, it has become a cultural and lifestyle symbol. Its unique color is very Instagram-friendly, perfect for eye-catching photos and videos, boosting its popularity in today’s food scene.
Discover the distinctive character of orange wine
Everything you need to know about orange wine
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What is orange wine and how is it made?It is a white wine produced using red wine techniques. White grapes are fermented with their skins, which gives the wine its orange color, tannins, and textured taste.
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Where does orange wine come from?It is originated more than 6,000 years ago in Georgia, where it was made in clay amphorae called qvevri. It re-emerged in the 1990s in Italy’s Friuli region, as well as in Slovenia and Austria.
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Who is drinking orange wine today?This wine mainly attracts wine enthusiasts and curious consumers already familiar with wine. It is linked to craftsmanship, natural winemaking, sustainability, and authenticity, and is often served in natural wine bars and fine-dining restaurants in big cities.
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Which dishes or types of cuisine pair best with orange wine?Orange wine pairs particularly well with Asian cuisine and vegetarian dishes. It serves as a bridge between white and red wine: fresher than red but more structured than white, providing a unique tasting experience.
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Is orange wine a mass-market product?No, it remains a niche market, intentionally limited in mainstream distribution to preserve its expert and exclusive image. It is mostly found in natural wine bars, bistro-style and fine-dining restaurants, and specialty wine shops, usually as a premium product.
