For starters, orange wine is not made from oranges and is not a cocktail.
Orange wine is actually one of the oldest wine making methods that dates back 5,000 years in the country of what is known today as Georgia. The process of orange wine begins with using white grapes that get mashed up and then transferred to typically cement vessels (aka 'Kvevri') with the skins and seeds in tact where fermentation takes place from four days to almost one year with very little to no additives. The inclusion of the skins and seeds oxidizes the wine and turns the color to a rusty orange look. At the same token, this method produces a bolder and drier wine with unique textures that present higher tannins as in red wines. The flavors are also unique in the sense that they provide a slightly tart sensation followed by rich flavors of jackfruit, orange rind, bruised apple and finishing with a nutty essence. For beginners you definitely need time to adjust and understand to appreciate what the wines have to offer. So take your time with them. These are great examples of natural and clean wines, since they do not consist of additives, preservatives or additional yeasts. Currently, orange wine making can be found in Georgia, Slovenia, Northern Italy, and Greece. There are definitely wine makers around the world, including the U.S., that are experimenting with making orange or also known as 'Amber Wines'. Orange wines are still up and coming and you can find some selections on progressive wine list programs and local wine shops.
Featured UWC restaurants and retails that offer orange wine:
Ilona Restaurant - South End
FRANK - Beverly
The Cork Stop - North Andover
The Urban Grape - South End
