The Story of an 8000-Year-Old Tradition: What is Orange Wine and How is it Made?

Made with white grapes but possessing a body as full-bodied as red wine, Orange Wine is experiencing a resurgence in the wine world thanks to its production technique dating back 8,000 years. This ancient method, originating in Georgia, promises wine lovers a journey through time with its bold aromas and unique color.

Orange Wine

Following our exploration of cold climates, for the third wine in our series, we embark on a long journey back in time, to the very beginnings of winemaking.

If you think Orange Wine, as its name suggests, is a wine made from oranges, you're mistaken, because it gets its name not from oranges but entirely from its color.Orange Wine bridges the gap between red and white wine, and also between the past and the present. With every sip, it takes us back 8000 years, to a time when wine was made but winemaking machines didn't exist... Therefore, to understand Orange Wine, we must first look to the past. Thousands of years ago, when winemaking machines didn't yet exist, and pottery and ceramics were just beginning to be used...

Orange Wine is like drinking wine made 8,000 years ago with every sip.

An excavation in Georgia has unearthed the oldest known traces of wine at an 8,000-year-old settlement site. Archaeological research at Gadachrili Gora, located 32 kilometers south of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, has shown that the farmers who lived there 8,000 years ago were involved in viticulture and that their living area was surrounded by grapevines. Researchers investigated the purpose for which these grapes were used. These people were the first known wine producers…

Georgia is still famous for its wine after 8000 years!

Based on the remains, if we talk a little about winemaking, how did these people, who had nothing but baked clay pots, make wine without machines?

Of course, they would harvest the grapes, crush them, and then ferment them along with the skins and seeds. If they used white grapes, the wine would turn amber. So, essentially, 8,000 years later, they were making what we call "Orange Wine."

So what exactly is Orange Wine?

Orange wine, just like in the past, is a type of wine made by fermenting crushed white grapes along with their skins and seeds. Wines produced using this method distinguish themselves from other types of wine in terms of appearance, taste, and aroma. Although made from white grapes, it has stronger and sharper aromas than other white wines, which are typically lively and light-bodied. Therefore, it can be described as a white wine that possesses many characteristics of red wines because it offers a tannic taste similar to red wines. In contrast, in the production of a normal white wine, after crushing the grapes, only the juice is extracted and fermented without leaving the must to sit in the pulp.

It has bold flavors!

Due to its production technique, Orange Wine has bold, distinctive aromas including hazelnut, rotten apple, juniper, sourdough, and dried orange peel.

Because they have an intense and dry taste on the palate, they pair well with many dishes. For example, unlike white wines, their tannic structure makes them pair very well with the spicy flavors of Indian cuisine. As a result of this pairing, they contribute to the prominence of these spicy flavors. They pair very well with fermented flavors such as kimchi in Korean cuisine and natto in Japanese cuisine. While red and white wines can be paired with red and white meats, Orange Wine boldly opens the door to both red and white meats.Due to its captivating tones, unique aromas, and especially its versatility in food pairings, Orange Wine makes itself an attractive option for both adventurous wine enthusiasts and casual wine lovers who want to expand their palates.

See you again to discuss different types of wine…

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