Forget the weird, unpalatable, and overly acidic drinks that were once known as wine when orange wine first hit store shelves. It has evolved into an exciting style worth exploring, and we’ve been busy rounding up the best orange wines from around the world.
Skin-contact wines have been popular for some time now, although orange wine (also known as amber wine and skin-contact wine) has the oldest viticultural history in the world – Georgians have been fermenting such wines in clay pots (known as qvevri) underground for over 8,000 years.
Recently, this category has brought some fun back into the wine world—think artistic labels with lots of bright colors or simple, minimalist designs. Adding to its appeal is the fact that orange wines are very food-friendly. With their big, bold flavors, the best orange wines can pair well with foods that are usually difficult to pair with wine, such as curries, grilled meats, and umami flavors.
What’s really pleasing is how strong UK winemakers are in this category, with two UK producers making some of the best wines on our list. They’ve quickly become some of our favourites, and not just in the orange or British wine categories.
While some of these wines are more expensive than average, they’re often made in small batches by independent producers. Keep scrolling to learn more about our pick of the best orange wines worth raising a glass to.
How we tested
We've searched for a range of expressions from the world's best wine-producing regions, from Georgia (home of orange wine) to Wales, Italy and Romania.
We also wanted to include a wide range of different wines, from styles that are easy for beginners to more experimental and exciting styles. Each wine in our collection has been tested with other wine drinkers, considering flavour, body and value.
