Blog About Orange Wine, Skin Contact, Natural Wine, Primal Wine - primalwine.com

What Is Orange Wine and Why Is It So Popular?

Skin contact wines, how daring and different, and guess what it is! Skin contact wine is a popular trendy oddity that is taking off. It’s like your cool, vintage-clad neighbor who wears tinted sunglasses everywhere they go and you wonder not only where they’re going, but also where did they get those boots? Can I be them? Skin contact wines are unique and have the appearance of a wine that is too cool for school, but one sip and you know you were invited to the festivities the whole time. Grab your own pair of tinted sunglasses, walk through the beaded entryway, and let’s dig deep into Skin Contact wines.

What is skin contact wine?

The skin contact winemaking process results in a peachy/tangerine hue which leads people to call it, an “orange wine.” Now most winemakers prefer to call the wine “amber” or “skin contact” wine since when people hear “orange” they think the wine is either made with oranges or tastes of oranges. Not true! It’s still wine, folks, the skin contact wine gets its orange color from white grapes that are fermented with the skins still intact for an extended period.

White wine is produced through a process called must fermentation which means that white grapes are picked then the skins are removed leaving only the juice. Whereas red wine is produced through mash fermentation meaning red grapes are picked and the skins remain a part of the fermentation process. So, in a sense, skin-contact wine is made by using white grapes through a red winemaking process. Woahhhh! Only, with skin contact wines little to no additives, including yeast, are used so it brings forth a nuttiness and funkiness due to the oxidation.

The skin contact wine process seems like a fairly new phenomenon, but surprise! the method has been around for a while, some would say it's ancient. No shade to skin contact, we’re not calling you old. Many speculate the process started 5,000 years ago in the Caucasus region (modern-day Georgia.) According to Madeline Puckette of Wine Folly, wines were fermented in large subterranean vessels called Qvevri – “Kev-ree”, cute! – that were originally closed with stones and sealed with beeswax. Beeswax? Honestly, kind of adorable if you think about it. Now, thanks to the ancient people of Caucasus we have a wine process that results in a deep, elusive orange blush wine that we simply can’t get enough of.

Tasting Notes

Did anyone say they wanted to go to “Funky Town?” Because depending on your choice of skin contact you can have a light, jackfruit walk in a garden or a robust, nutty, funky experience that’ll make you want to “talk about it, talk about it, talk about it, talk about it!” For people just wanting to dip their toe in the amber pool, I suggest starting with the “baby orange” as I affectionately call it. This is a skin contact that’ll have a lighter appearance in the bottle and is more approachable, some with notes of fleshy apricot and floral notes. Basically, you’re looking for a skin contact that has thinner grape skins and hasn’t had as long a maceration as other skin contact wines. Meaning, the longer the fermentation with the skins the deeper the flavors. Hence, baby orange!

Now if you’re looking for those deeper flavors then head in the Pinot Gris direction. Pinot Gris has a thicker skin which is why it is used for skin contact because it imparts more color and helps you get your funky on. Pinot Gris skin contact wines produce a darker, “Ramato” which means “auburn" in Italian, appearance due to the thicker grape skins. “I’ll have the Ramato beauty with my cheese thank you,” is how I imagine ordering while vacationing in the Italian countryside. Ahh, lovely. Speaking of dream vacations, you’ll have your own getaway with the skin contact pairing experience.

We know that skin contact wines can range from fleshy, floral, with honey aromas to robust, hazelnutty, and deep depending on your choice. It brings forth big tannins similar to rosé or red wine (which is consistent with the skin contact winemaking process) and can offer a bitterness that will cut through sweet dishes or heartier meals like curry. Whether you’re enjoying a brunch of lemon ricotta pancakes or a spicy vegetarian meal, once you pair it with a skin contact wine, your meal is made extraordinary.

At first, skin-contact wines can seem intimidating (like how is it orange? What does it mean?) and unapproachable (Dan from work keeps talking about orange wines and like won’t stop talking about it?), but now you know that it’s a welcoming treat that’s been around for the last 5,000 years waiting for you to enjoy. And look, Dan keeps calling it “orange” wine anyway so he actually knows nothing. It’s “skin-contact” wine, get out of here, Dan! You can also tell Dan that skin contact wine is made by using white grapes through a red winemaking process and really show him. From light, barley golden with light fruit notes to amber with a side of funk, pick your glass and enjoy the special oddity that is skin contact wine.

Author: Cecily Breaux ©

More articles

Blog Primal Wine, Natural Wine Online Shop • primalwine.com
How do we have a great day? Have a little rosé, that’s what I say! All of the cheers and fun songs aside, rosé is the go-to wine of choice when you want to keep things easy and light with...
Rhône Valley French wine regions blog, landscape photo from above, natural wine, primal wine - primalwine.com
The Rhône Valley, in southeastern France, borders the Alps to the east and the Massif Central to the west. The Rhône Valley is renowned for its incredibly expressive wines and hearty cuisine. In particular, the region's wines, influenced by its...

Italian Wine Regions

A Landscape in Molise, photo for our blog series Italian Wine Regions; natural wine, organic wine - primalwine.com
Molise, Italy's second smallest region, is a hidden gem with a rich cultural and natural...
Photo of Valle d'Aosta, high-altitude vineyards with a farm building, and mountains in the background; natural wine, organic wine - primalwine.com
Valle d'Aosta, in the heart of the Italian Alps, is renowned for its stunning mountain...
Calabria Mountains and Sea, Natural Wine Italian Region, Primal Wine - primalwine.com
Calabria, located at the toe of Italy's boot, is a region of profound historical significance...

French Wine Regions

Rhône Valley French wine regions blog, landscape photo from above, natural wine, primal wine - primalwine.com
The Rhône Valley, in southeastern France, borders the Alps to the east and the Massif...
Bordeaux French wine regions blog, photo of a Bordeaux alley and monuments, natural wine, primal wine - primalwine.com
Bordeaux, located in southwestern France, is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and...
Photos of vineyards and farm houses in Burgundy, natural wine, primal wine - primalwine.com
Burgundy, situated in eastern France, is celebrated for its rich history, diverse cultures, picturesque landscapes,...

Natural Winemakers

Jules Chauvet, The Godfather of Natural Wine, Primal Wine, Natural Wine Blog - primalwine.com
In natural wine, few names carry as much weight as Jules Chauvet. Often referred to...
Marcel Lapierre, Natural Wine Pioneer, Primal Wine, Natural Wine Blog - primalwine.com
One of France's founders of the natural wine movement is widely regarded as the French...
Podere Pradarolo Tractor, Emilia-Romagna, Natural Wine - primalwine.com
Podere Pradarolo is located in Varano de' Melegari in Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy. The estate spans...