If you are interested in having an awkward conversation with the staff at your local wine store, ask them if they carry any orange wines. I had this experience several times in the past week as I searched high and low for an orange wine in the Atlanta area.
A glass of orange wine
I recently read a few articles about orange wine and became very intrigued. Orange wine is not made from oranges (this was the first question the wine store people asked). This wine is a white wine made in a different style than your typical white. The juice is fermented with the skins (and sometimes the stems) similar to how red wine is made. As a result, you get a richer, more tannic wine that is orange colored.
I finally found one and have been giddy with anticipation. I friggin LOVE THIS WINE! Sorry riesling, you are just going to have to wait to get on the list of my wine loves, because this wine is right up my alley. Bone dry, decadent, full of layers of flavor from stone fruits to spice. Now, I can’t make generalizations about all orange wines since I have tried one only one, but so far so good.
While this wine is made from Pinot Grigio in the Fruili region of Italy, this wine is unlike other wine I have ever tried from this varietal. I would imagine the Italian Wine Geek would get excited about a wine like this because it is unique and made by someone challenging convention.
In my opinion, this wine pairs nicely with rich foods that you would traditionally pair with full bodied white wines; salmon and creamy cheeses (such as brie), which I personally love and would eat everyday if I had the metabolism of a three year old.
These wines are hard to find but go out and have an adventure. Ask your local wine shop if they carry any orange wines and be a part of the awkward conversation that ensues.
How interesting! I’ve seen orange wine get some press lately and was meaning to ask you about it. Can’t wait to try it, thanks!
Have fun trying to find it! Even the owner of the fairly high end wine store I went to had no idea what I was talking about. Fortunately, one of his employees knew what I was looking for and knew they carried one label of orange wine. Apparently, the term orange wine is not well known, however, if you ask for a white wine fermented with the skins, they may have a better idea what you are talking about.
VERY cool! You found the Ramato Pinot Grigio! You know, although I do love winemakers who challenge convention, this is technically a more typical, traditional style of Pinot Grigio. The Pinot Grigio (Translated literally: Grey Pinot) grape has a very dark skin, and any contact with the skin during pressing can lead to a pinkish-orange hue like this one. It is only on the last few years that this would be strange or considered out-of-the-ordinary… especially for Pinot Grigio!
I totally agree with your assessment of the food pairing by the way- runny, gooey french cheese. Yes, please!
I had no idea that old school pinot grigio was made this way back in the day. It makes me wish I had a time machine to go back and try the wines when they were probably $1 a bottle!
Totally! I agree… there are many times I wish I had that time machine… imagine buying burgundies in the 1940s!
I can’t wait to see the look on their face when I ask for orange wine.
It will likely rival the expressions I received when I asked if they carried Chinese wine.
I do hope I can track some of this down, it sounds delicious.
I can’t wait to hear about your experience asking for orange wine! I was amazed at how much I liked this orange wine – I can’t wait to create more awkward situations looking for more!
ditto! and then you can say ‘orange you glad i didn’t just ask for another everyday bottle of wine?”
Ha ha! How clever and I am so glad I tried this wine!