WHAT IS ORANGE WINE? A BEGINNERS GUIDE

Orange wine is not made from oranges. Let's get that out of the way immediately.

It is made from white grapes — but with a twist. And once you understand the twist, a whole new category of wine opens up.

SO WHY IS IT ORANGE?

Normally when you make white wine, you crush the grapes and immediately separate the juice from the skins. The skins are discarded. This is what gives white wine its clear, pale colour.

Orange wine does the opposite. The crushed grapes — juice, skins, seeds and sometimes stems — are left to macerate together for days, weeks, or even months. During this time, the skins release colour, tannins, and compounds that you would normally only find in red wine.

The result is a wine that is amber or orange in colour, with texture and complexity you do not find in conventional white wine. This is why it is also called skin-contact wine.

WHAT DOES ORANGE WINE TASTE LIKE?

Orange wine tastes unlike anything else. It has the fruit character of a white wine — citrus, stone fruit, floral notes — but with added texture, grip, and depth from the skin contact.

Some orange wines are funky and oxidative. Others are fresh and vibrant. It depends on the grape variety, the length of skin contact, and the winemaker's approach.

Arriba, Loco Wines' sparkling orange wine, is made from 100% Parellada grapes grown on 50-year-old vines in Penedès, Spain. Seven days of skin contact gives it its distinctive amber colour. Wild fermentation adds natural bubbles. The flavour? Pineapple, passion fruit, and lemon zest — fresh, lively, and approachable.

Skin Deep, our orange wine made from Verdejo grapes, takes a different approach — fresh, vibrant, and instantly enjoyable. An explosion of fruit with enough texture to be interesting.

IS ORANGE WINE SWEET?

Despite the fruity aromas, most orange wines are dry. The extended skin contact adds tannins that give a drying sensation, balancing the fruit. If you are expecting something sweet, orange wine will surprise you.

IS ORANGE WINE NATURAL WINE?

Most orange wines are made by natural and low-intervention producers because the skin-contact process is a traditional, hands-off technique. But not all orange wines are natural wine — it depends on the producer.

Loco Wines' orange wines are certified organic and made with minimal intervention. Arriba is fermented with wild yeasts and bottled mid-fermentation for natural bubbles. No shortcuts, no additives.

HOW DO I SERVE ORANGE WINE?

Serve it slightly chilled — around 12-14°C. Cooler than you would serve a red, warmer than a white. This temperature lets the aromatics open up while keeping the wine fresh.

Orange wine pairs beautifully with food — charcuterie, aged cheese, roasted vegetables, Middle Eastern food, and anything with strong, savoury flavours. The tannins and texture make it far more food-friendly than most white wines.

WHERE CAN I TRY ORANGE WINE IN THE UK?

Arriba and Skin Deep are both available at locowines.co.uk. Both are certified organic, vegan friendly, and made by producers who care deeply about how wine is grown.

If you have never tried orange wine before, Arriba is the perfect starting point — the natural bubbles make it lively and approachable, and the tropical fruit flavours make it instantly enjoyable. No wine expertise required.