Why Orange Wine Is THE Wine of Fall?

Amber in the glass, savory on the palate and made for fall food: orange wine is having its moment. Here's what you need to know, from ancient Georgian clay jars to the French winemakers leading the way today.

What is orange wine?

Orange wine is a white wine made like a red wine. Instead of pressing the juice off the grape skins right away, the winemaker ferments white grapes with their skins for days, weeks or even months. The skins give the wine its amber color, light tannins and savory, tea-like flavors. It's also called skin-contact or amber wine, and no, it isn't made from oranges.

An 8,000-year-old style

Orange wine is the oldest style of wine there is. In Georgia, families have fermented white grapes on their skins in qvevri, clay vessels buried in the ground, for some 8,000 years, a tradition recognized by UNESCO. Around 2000, pioneers in Friuli and Slovenia such as Josko Gravner and Stanko Radikon revived the method, and in 2004 British importer David A. Harvey coined the name "orange wine." Today, France is one of its most exciting sources.

How is orange wine made?

Ripe white grapes, usually organic and hand-picked, are crushed and left to ferment on their skins. The longer the maceration, the deeper the color, the more grip and the more savory complexity. The wine is then pressed and aged in clay, old oak or steel, and often bottled unfined with little or no added sulfur, so a light haze is normal.

Where France makes orange wine

Many French orange wines are labeled Vin de France, which gives winemakers the freedom to experiment with local grapes.

• Alsace: Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris bring exotic spice, rose and citrus peel.
• Jura and Savoie: Savagnin, Chardonnay and Alpine grapes for savory, mineral styles.
• Loire and Rhône: Chenin Blanc for bright acidity, Viognier and Roussanne for rich apricot notes.
• Languedoc-Roussillon: Grenache Gris, Macabeu and Muscat for generous, sun-warmed orange wines.

What does it taste like?

Think white wine with a red wine's structure: dried apricot, orange peel, quince, honey, black tea, nuts and gentle spice, with fine tannins, fresh acidity and often a savory finish. Serve it cellar cool, around 55 to 60°F (13 to 16°C), in a large white wine glass.

Orange wine food pairing

Thanks to its tannins and acidity, orange wine is one of the most food-friendly wines you can open, perfect for fall: spiced dishes like tagine and curry, aged cheeses like Comté and Beaufort, roast chicken or pork, roasted squash and mushrooms, charcuterie, and the whole Thanksgiving table.

Shop our French orange wines

Ready to taste the color of the fall? Here are the orange wines on our shelves right now:

Eros, Les Vins Pirouettes 2025 Alsace From a collective of organic Alsace growers. Citrus peel, stone fruit, floral notes and a hint of spice, with fine tannins and lively acidity. Order this wine

Orange Rare, Château Maris 2021 Languedoc Grenache Gris fermented on its skins. Vibrant yet structured, with real aromatic complexity. Unfined and minimally filtered. Order this wine

Contact, Les Vins Florian Mathieu 2025 Southern France A natural-style skin-contact white balancing freshness, texture and aromatic intensity. Unfined and minimally filtered. Order this wine

Vin Orange, Domaine Rimbert NV Saint-Chinian, Languedoc Organic Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Rolle, fermented with native yeasts on the skins for 7 days. Dried fruit, citrus and tangerine, with soft tannins and lively acidity. Vegan and low in sulfur. Order this wine

Shop all orange wines →

Mix & match any 2 bottles and save 15% with promo code FALL2PK at checkout. It's the perfect way to compare styles side by side.

Orange wine FAQ

What's the difference between orange wine and rosé?

Rosé is made from red grapes with short skin contact. Orange wine is made from white grapes with longer skin contact, which gives it more texture and tannin.

Is orange wine natural wine?

Often, but not always. "Orange" describes how it's made; "natural" describes minimal intervention. Many orange wines are both.

How long does it last after opening?

Recorked and kept in the fridge, most bottles stay fresh for 3 to 5 days, and some even improve on day two.