National Orange Wine Day is celebrated every year on October 6 but it’s always a good day to pop open a bottle of orange wine. Now we know what you’re thinking — ‘Orange wine? Like wine made from oranges? That’s neat!’ Yes, it does sound neat. However, orange wine is not a wine made from oranges. It has nothing to do with oranges. It’s wine made of white wine grapes that are fermented with their skins on. This is what gives the finished product its distinct color. Although you may not have seen orange wine in a lot of places but trust us, that’s going to change soon!
History of National Orange Wine Day
National Orange Wine Day was first established in 2018 by the “National Day Registry,” in an attempt to bring more awareness to this beautiful yet little-known wine. Now you may not have seen orange wine at your nearest liquor store or even your favorite watering hole, but this wine has roots tracing back thousands of years.Wine scholars suggest that orange wine was first made in Georgia, Europe way back in 6000 B.C. What’s interesting is that Georgia is also thought to be the birthplace of wine. In the coming thousands of years, orange wine fell into obscurity. But a recent resurgence started around two decades ago when wine connoisseurs all over the world rediscovered this unusual type of wine.The technical term for this wine style is ‘skin-contact wine’ because of the technique with which they are made. Just like all the other popular styles of wine — red, white, sparkling, and rose — orange wine is also made from pressing and fermenting grapes — white wine grapes to be specific.To put it simply, white wine is made from grapes with their skins off, red wine is made from grapes with their skins on, while rose is made from grapes that have had their skin left on for a short period.Orange wines, or skin-contact wines, are made with white grapes with their skins on. When the crushed grapes are fermenting, they take on a more tannic quality from their skins and pips, but also a deeper color. Most skin-contact wines are more of a golden yellow than a definite orange but many end up having a bright amber shade.
National Orange Wine Day timeline
According to wine academics, orange wine is first created in Georgia, Europe.
Orange wines begin falling out of fashion in places like Italy as fresh white wines dominate the market.
The now popular term ‘orange wine’ is coined by a British wine importer, David A. Harvey.
The day is founded by The Real House Wine to popularize this lesser-known wine.
National Orange Wine Day FAQs
Why do people swirl their wine?
Wine tasters are often seen swirling the wine in their glasses. This may just seem like a fancy way of drinking but it’s actually done to release the wine’s aromas. People also don’t fill the glass more than a third full to leave a space where these aromas can collect.
Is orange wine sweet or dry?
On the palate, orange wine is big, dry, and even has tannin like a red wine with a sourness that can be likened to fruit beer. Orange wines can often be so intense that you might want to sit down when you first taste them.
Is orange wine expensive?
Naturally, due to its rarity, orange wine can be heavy on the budget. But apart from the rarity factor, the expense can also be justified for the subtle-to-overt depth and complexity orange wines possess. They offer a range of flavors that go well with different kinds of foods as well.
National Orange Wine Day Activities
-
Drink some orange wine
Scour your nearby liquor stores and trendy wine bars for a bottle of orange wine. There’s no better way to honor this very important day by drinking orange wine with your buddies.
-
Make orange wine
Make your own orange wine at home if you're having trouble finding a place that sells it. Making wine is an art and it can also be incredibly rewarding. You’ll find plenty of online resources like Masterclasses, blogs, and even YouTube tutorials.
-
Visit a vineyard
Take off for the weekend and visit a lovely vineyard with your loved ones. Breathe in the scent of different styles of wines, try the wines you’ve never heard of before, and get into interesting conversations with winemakers.
5 Facts About Wine That Will Blow Your Mind
-
Orange wine goes well with bold-flavored foods
Remember to pair this wine with Moroccan, Ethiopian, Korean, and Japanese cuisine.
-
Most orange wine is made in Italy
Most orange winemaking is found in northeastern Italy, along the border of Slovenia in the picturesque region of Friuli–Venezia Giulia.
-
Grapes are the most planted fruit
Grapes are the most planted fruit in the world and a ton of grapes can be produced to make 720 bottles of wine.
-
Oenophobia
Some people have a fear of wine called ‘oenophobia.’
-
Romans forbid women from drinking it
In early Roman times, it was also considered lawful if a man killed his wife if he caught her drinking wine.
Why We Love National Orange Wine Day
-
It tastes divine
Orange wine truly tastes like nothing else! Some taste like a light red wine while some can taste like a sour beer. There is a lot of variation in the taste but orange wines tend to taste more bitter because of the presence of a lot of tannins. Some common tasting notes include stone fruits like apricot, and dried fruits and flowers.
-
It’s the natural way of wine making
Orange wines are considered to be more ‘natural’ because their high levels of tannins mean the wine can be bottled without adding sulfur dioxide. It is often unfiltered, contains no fewer additives, and is made with traditional wine production methods.
-
It has a gorgeous color
Its beautiful orange hue is the most noticeable thing about orange wine. It can be the color of tangerine but it can also be gold, yellow, amber, and even pink. The color depends on the type of grape used to make the wine and how ripe it was, the time taken to ferment it, the vessel used to ferment it, and the method of extraction.
National Orange Wine Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | October 6 | Thursday |
| 2023 | October 6 | Friday |
| 2024 | October 6 | Sunday |
| 2025 | October 6 | Monday |
| 2026 | October 6 | Tuesday |
