Every so often, a wine style emerges from the shadows of obscurity to become the centre of conversation among sommeliers, enthusiasts, and curious newcomers alike. Orange wine is that very style — a bold, characterful and ancient form of winemaking that’s now being appreciated in a thoroughly modern context.
For a long time, orange wine was a hidden gem known mostly to dedicated natural wine circles. Today, it’s gracing wine lists in top restaurants, lining the shelves of independent bottle shops, and appearing on dining tables where conversation is as valued as the drink itself.
A Wine That’s Turning Heads
At first glance, orange wine can be a bit of a mystery. Its name often confuses people, leading them to believe it’s a fruit wine, or something experimental. In reality, it’s simply white wine made using red wine techniques — fermented with the skins of the grapes still present, giving the liquid its signature amber hue and textured complexity.
This re-emerging category has become something of a conversation starter in the wine world. And in places like Forest Wines, where carefully sourced bottles are offered with insight and care, it’s helping wine drinkers rediscover an old-world practice with fresh eyes.
From Ancient Roots to Modern Revival
Orange wine’s comeback story begins in the clay amphorae of Georgia — one of the world’s oldest wine-producing regions. Thousands of years ago, winemakers fermented white grapes with their skins in buried qvevri (large earthenware vessels), producing wines with structure, grip, and longevity.
That tradition continued quietly in parts of Eastern Europe and Northern Italy for centuries. But it wasn’t until the early 2000s that a handful of modern producers revived the method in a more intentional, global-facing way. What was once an ancient necessity began evolving into an artisanal choice, deliberately embracing the past while serving today’s appetite for authentic, character-driven wines.
What Makes Orange Wine So Distinct?
There’s more to orange wine than just its colour. What sets it apart is its layered profile. The skin-contact method gives it tannins and body not usually found in white wine. As a result, orange wine often feels like a hybrid: the freshness of a white, the structure of a red, and the aromatic intensity of something altogether different.
You might find notes of bruised apple, dried apricots, tea leaves, honey, nuts, or even something slightly savoury or saline. Some versions are wild and funky, others are elegant and refined. That unpredictability is part of its charm.
This complexity not only excites seasoned drinkers but also opens up space for new food pairings and a more exploratory approach to wine drinking.
The Shift in Taste and Consumer Curiosity
In a world saturated with choice, wine lovers have become more adventurous. Palates are shifting. Many are moving beyond the polished and uniform styles of mass-market wines, seeking bottles with texture, variation, and story.
Orange wine fits this desire beautifully. It’s expressive, often unfiltered, and rarely tastes the same from one vintage to the next. That rawness, that sense of unpredictability, is what today’s drinkers are drawn to.
Moreover, younger wine consumers are more willing to take risks. They’re less concerned about tradition and more interested in authenticity. Orange wine, once an afterthought, has become a badge of individuality — a statement glass, if you like.
Natural Wine Movement and Minimal Intervention
Another reason orange wine is gaining ground lies in the broader shift towards natural and minimal-intervention winemaking. The rise of wines made with fewer additives, wild yeast fermentations, and lower sulphite levels has opened the door for more traditional styles to flourish again.
Orange wine, with its ancient methods and hands-off approach, naturally fits into this category. Many of these wines are made organically or biodynamically, often in small batches by independent producers. For those who care about where their wine comes from and how it’s made, orange wine becomes more than just a drink — it becomes a philosophy in a bottle.
Sommeliers, Restaurants, and the Orange Wine Trend
It’s not just the consumers who are paying attention — industry professionals have embraced orange wine with enthusiasm. Sommeliers are using it to surprise and delight guests, often pairing it with challenging dishes that defy traditional wine rules.
Its versatility makes it a favourite in progressive kitchens. Orange wine pairs beautifully with spiced, fermented, or umami-rich dishes — things that might throw off a delicate white or clash with a heavy red. Whether it’s served alongside kimchi, roasted squash, or aged cheese, it has a way of tying flavours together while holding its own.
As more restaurants highlight sustainability and local sourcing, orange wine becomes a natural choice — both for its production values and its food-friendliness.
Forest Wines and the Rebirth of Tradition
At the heart of this growing interest are the retailers who know how to present orange wine with care. Forest Wines, known for its curated selections and knowledgeable service, has helped introduce this style to a broader audience. Their approach combines passion with accessibility, making it easier for first-timers to feel confident about trying something unfamiliar.
By supporting small producers and highlighting lesser-known styles, they are contributing to a wider cultural shift — one where curiosity and craftsmanship are celebrated equally.
Not Just a Phase: Why It’s Here to Stay
It would be easy to label orange wine as a passing trend, something momentarily popular before fading back into obscurity. But all signs point to the opposite.
What started as niche has now embedded itself in wine culture — not just among enthusiasts, but across the industry. Importers are stocking more of it. Events are showcasing it. Retailers are expanding their ranges. And consumers are going back for bottle after bottle, realising that orange wine isn’t a gimmick — it’s a legitimate, diverse category worth exploring.
Its rise mirrors our growing preference for wines with provenance, personality, and purpose. In that sense, orange wine feels like the future, even as it carries the wisdom of the past.
A Style That Speaks for Itself
Perhaps what makes orange wine so compelling is that it doesn’t rely on marketing tricks or manufactured appeal. It stands on its own — with all its haze, hue, and heady aroma — asking only for an open mind and a curious palate.
In a world where so much feels manufactured, orange wine remains delightfully unpredictable. It doesn’t conform. It tells stories. It tastes of place, of time, of effort. And once you’ve tried it, it has a way of staying with you.
So if you haven’t yet poured a glass, now might be the perfect time to do so. Let the wine do the talking. Chances are, you’ll be listening for quite a while.
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