Wine from the Orange: Exploring the World of Orange Wines

The flavor of orange wine has been gaining a lot of popularity over the years, and for good reason. Orange wine is made from fermented orange juice, resulting in a unique flavor profile and an orange hue. It is an expressive style of winemaking that is perfect for both novice and experienced wine drinkers alike. Many of us may have heard of orange wine, but few of us are truly familiar with the process of making it - until now. This guide aims to provide all the information you need to know about orange wine, so you can make your delicious batch at home.

What is Orange Wine

Wine from orange is a unique style of winemaking that involves fermenting the fruit with their skins intact. This leaves the resulting wine a deep orange color, and with a slightly tart flavor. As wines made from white grapes, orange wines are generally lighter-bodied than red wines and tend to have good acidity. The flavor and aroma of this wine can range from sweet and floral to even a bit of bitterness.

It's a variety of white wine crafted by allowing the grape skins and seeds to remain in contact with the juice during the winemaking process, resulting in a final product with a rich, orange hue

MakeWineLab

How Is Orange Wine Made?

To make your orange wine, you’ll need fresh oranges, sugar, and wine yeast. Start by boiling 2 gallons (7.6L) of water in a large stock pot, which can take up to 35 minutes. Peel 10 oranges and 2 lemons and then combine the juice, sugar, and wine yeast in a fermentation vessel and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Then, add the orange and lemon slices, cinnamon stick, and vanilla extract. Place the airlock on top of the vessel, and store it in a cool, dark place for about a week or up to a year. The fermentation time influences the body and structure of the wine.

The Color of Orange Wine

The color of wine from orange is determined by several factors, including the variety of fruit, the ripeness of the orange at winemaking, how long the wine was fermented, the fermentation vessel, and the extraction method. On the lighter side, it may be golden hay, while a bolder hue could appear as tiger orange. While lighter colors will generally indicate a lighter body, darker colors may point to a fuller body with more intense flavors.

Tannins content

Orange wines are likely to have more tannins than your typical white wine, although this will depend on the amount of time the oranges have been left in contact with their skins. Tannins can contribute to the complexity of wine and will be present at higher levels in orange wines. They tend to have a slightly bitter flavor, which helps to balance the sweetness of the fruit.

The Aroma and Taste Profile of Wine from Orange

When it comes to the aroma of orange wines, you’ll notice bright and sweet scents with hints of lemongrass, orange blossom, and white peach. On the palate, the flavor will be a mix of tartness and sweetness. Depending on how long the oranges were in contact with their skins during the production process, the flavor can range from subtle to powerful and intense.

The flavor of citrus is a complex combination of soluble and volatile compounds, affecting both taste and aroma. The taste itself is determined by the balance between sweetness, bitterness, and sourness. The sweetness component in citrus comes mainly from three carbohydrates - sucrose, fructose, and glucose. Bitterness is developed by flavanones naringin and neohesperidine, while citric and malic acids are responsible for sourness. Sweet oranges are recognized as a functional food due to their abundance of bioactive compounds like polyphenols, carotenoids, and limonoids, which provide numerous health benefits.

Types

Orange wines come in different colors and styles. There are three main types of orange flavoured wine: yellow, white, and gold. When it comes to the types, there are a few variations to explore. For example, some Orange wines are aged in clay vessels called qvevri, which gives them a slightly earthy taste. Others are aged in oak barrels, which imparts a smoother, creamier texture. As you can see, there is a wide range of possibilities when it comes to making your perfect wine.

Making Wine from Orange at Home

Making this wine at home is not as intimidating as it may seem. All you need is the right ingredients and a little patience! Here is a simple orange wine recipe to get you started:

• 10 very ripe oranges
• 2 lemons
• 2 gallons of water
• 2 cups of sugar
• A package of wine yeast
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Boil the water in a large stockpot over high heat for 35 minutes.
2. While the water is boiling, peel the oranges and lemons. In your fermentation vessel, combine the orange juice, sugar, and wine yeast. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
3. Add the orange and lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla extract to the vessel.
4. Place the airlock on top of the vessel and store it in a cool, dark place. This is where the fermenting process will begin.
5. It will take anywhere from a week to a year to fully ferment the orange wine. Depending on when the wine is ready, you may need to take additional steps to bottle and cork your wine. Be sure to follow the instructions on your package of wine yeast.

Tips for Making Orange Wine at Home

• Choose the ripest oranges you can find for the best tasting.
• Choose grapes that have higher tannin content for a fuller-bodied, more flavorful orange wine.
• The longer the grapes are left to ferment, the more intense the flavor and color will be.
• Properly store and age your wine to ensure the flavor is at its best. The optimal aging temperature is between 45-55°F.
• Have patience! The process of making wine from orange takes time and dedication, but the reward is certainly worth it.
• A preferred volume: make an orange wine recipe 1 gallon or 5 gallons is great.

A Little of History

The name of this wine may have been coined as recently as 2004 by U.K.-based wine merchant David Harvey, the winemaking technique itself has deep historical roots. Originating from traditional Georgian practices dating back 8,000 years, this ancient method involves fermenting crushed whole berries in clay vessels known as qvevri. These jars are then sealed with clay or beeswax and buried underground for cooling purposes. When applied to white grape varieties like the ancient Rkatsiteli, the result is a distinctive, acidic wine with a mesmerizing golden hue.

In the early 2000s, a revival of this ancient winemaking technique occurred when pioneers like Josko Gravner from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, were inspired during visits to Georgia. Gravner, having brought Georgian qvevri back to Italy, introduced Italian orange wines to the market in 2001. Since then, the production of this wine has expanded to various regions, including Italy, Slovenia, Greece, Portugal, California, France, South Africa, Australia, and beyond.

Create a personalized label

For a truly unique and thoughtful gift, consider creating a personalized wine label to adorn a bottle of your favorite wine, whether it's a special orange wine or another beloved varietal. Personalized wine labels offer a meaningful way to commemorate special occasions, celebrate milestones, or simply add a personal touch to a bottle shared with friends and loved ones.

When designing a personalized wine label, you have the opportunity to select a special photo, artwork, or design that holds significance for the recipient, along with the option to include a customized message or inscription. Whether it's for a birthday, wedding, anniversary, or any other memorable moment, a personalized wine label adds a unique and sentimental touch to the gift of wine.

With a wide selection of products available, you can choose the perfect wine to complement your personalized label, whether it's a bold red, a crisp white, a sparkling wine, or a distinctive orange wine. This flexibility allows you to tailor the wine selection to suit the recipient's preferences and create a truly individualized and meaningful gift that reflects their taste and style.

Conclusion

Orange wine is a unique and flavorful wine that is perfect for both novice and experienced wine lovers alike. With the right ingredients and a little patience, you can make your delicious batch of orange wine at home, a really easy orange wine recipe. Follow the simple recipe outlined above or experiment to find the perfect combination of flavors and aromas for you. You won’t be disappointed!

Now that you know all about orange wine, it’s time to get out there and give it a try. Cheers!