June 15th 2024.
Orange wine has been the talk of the town lately, and for good reason - it's the perfect drink for the summer season. Do you remember when it used to be a drink solely for the Hoxton hipsters? It was almost impossible to get your hands on a glass unless you had the right look - a beard, horn-rimmed glasses, a vintage trilby hat, and at least one full-arm tattoo. And let's not forget, membership to Shoreditch House was a must. But thankfully, those stereotypes are a thing of the past. Now, anyone can enjoy a glass of orange wine without feeling out of place.
I, for one, am grateful for this change. I'm not exactly what you would call "cool" - I don't even have the "so-uncool-he's-cool" vibe going on. But now, orange wine is no longer limited to niche wine bars in Dalston. You can find it in mainstream stores like M&S, Aldi, and Waitrose. In fact, according to M&S's online distributor Ocado, orange wine has become increasingly popular this summer, with a 99% increase in sales compared to last year. And the numbers are even higher in big cities like London, Manchester, and Kent.
But what exactly is orange wine, you may ask? Well, it goes by many names - amber, skin contact, or macerated wine. Technically, it's a white wine made like a red. The white grapes are left to soak in their skins, absorbing tannins, texture, funky flavors, and a unique color that you won't find in regular white wine. It's actually the oldest form of winemaking, dating back 8,000 years to Georgia in Eastern Europe, also known as "The Cradle of Wine." Sounds like the title of an Indiana Jones movie, doesn't it?
So what can you expect from a glass of orange wine? Well, it's a blend of white, rosé, and red wine, with flavors that can range from cheese and cider to wood varnish and tropical fruit. It's truly a unique and versatile drink, and I'm excited to share my top eight recommendations with you.
Let's start with the Macerao Naranjo Muscat from Waitrose. This is a great "gateway" orange wine for anyone who's new to the trend. It's not too funky, with a dry, floral, and spicy taste, and hints of black tea, cinnamon, and ginger. Next up is the Found Verdil from Spain, made with a super rare grape native to Valencia. This light amber wine has notes of peach blossom, honey, nuts, and a touch of saltiness - like biting into a spiced golden delicious apple dipped in salted honey.
You may have heard of Aldi's Specially Selected Rosorange, which gained popularity on TikTok earlier this year. This unique blend of rosé and orange wine is dry and delicious, with flavors of apricot, orange zest, and cherries. And it's not just a social media sensation - sales tripled in the weeks following its launch. Another great option is the Tbilvino Qvevris Orange Wine from Georgia, sold at M&S for years, showing they're always ahead of the curve. Made in an ancient style, this light-amber wine has a creamy nose of fudge, orange, spices, and white chocolate, and a palate of apricot, pears, and almonds.
Moving on to Austria, we have the Winzer Krems 'Orange' Grüner Veltliner, available at Majestic. This wine is a striking amber color, with flavors of apricot stone, white pepper, and jackfruit, and a hint of sandalwood on the finish. Next, we have the Cramele Recas Orange Wine from Romania, a country that's quickly becoming a new wine frontier. This light-orange wine has notes of quince, custard apple, and a texture reminiscent of earthenware. It's a great example of the unique flavors you can find in Romanian wine.
Now, let's talk about the New Theory White Lies from South Africa, a top-quality orange wine made with Pinot Gris grapes that have spent 4 days on their skins. The result is a deep amber wine with notes of spoilt apples, washed cheese rind, and a fresh, complex palate of red apple skin and crystallized ginger. And finally, we have the Denbies Orange Solaris 2022 from Surrey, England. Made from the Solaris grape, this wine is a testament to the winery's commitment to innovation. The winemaker discovered that leaving the juice on the skins for 7 weeks doubled its flavor profile, resulting in a delicious blend of baked apple, apricot, and blood orange - the perfect pairing for pork belly.
In conclusion, orange wine is no longer just for the Hoxton hipsters. It's a versatile and delicious drink that's now available in mainstream stores, making it the perfect choice for your summer gatherings. So go ahead, try one of my recommendations and let me know what you think. Cheers!
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