[Wine facts you're too embarrassed to ask about now 04] What is orange wine, the latest trend gaining popularity around the world?

Orange wine has become popular all over the world and is now well established. It is attracting attention as the fourth wine after red, white, sparkling, and rosé. In this article, we will introduce how it is made and what dishes it goes well with.

What is Orange Wine?

Judging from the name, you might assume that it is wine made from oranges, but orange wine is actually a type of white wine. Orange wine is made by fermenting white grapes together with their skins and seeds. The history of orange wine dates back to about 8,000 years ago. There are two reasons why it has only recently become recognized.

Why Orange Wine is Popular

●Natural wine boom
One of the reasons for its popularity is the recent boom in natural wines. Natural wine is wine that avoids excessive additives as much as possible and brings out the natural appeal of the grapes. White wine does not contain tannins, a natural antioxidant, so it requires more antioxidants than red wine. However, orange wine, like red wine, contains tannins, so it is possible to make it with fewer additives. By making white wine as orange wine, it is possible to reduce the amount of additives. Thus, it rode the natural wine boom as the latest wine with few additives and became recognized by the public.
*Orange wine is not natural wine.

● Many dishes that go well with it
Orange wine has tannins, fruitiness, acidity, and minerality that white wine does not have, giving it a unique, full-bodied flavor. These characteristics make it a good match with a variety of dishes. It goes very well with spicy dishes that are difficult to match with wine because the wine flavor is overpowered by white wine and the astringency of red wine clashes with the spiciness. It also goes well with cheese, seafood, and Japanese food.

How to make orange wine

Orange wine is made by fermenting white wine grapes with the skins and seeds, just like red wine. During the fermentation process with the skins, tannins and pigments are extracted, which gives orange wine its unique flavor and color.

How to enjoy orange wine

Orange wine is generally drunk chilled, but if it is too chilled, the bitterness becomes prominent, so we recommend drinking it at around 8 to 12 degrees. Also, orange wine oxidizes when exposed to air after pouring, and the flavor and taste gradually change, so you can enjoy it slowly while pairing it with a meal.