Or as certain people ask… wine made from oranges?
According to the French philosopher Descartes, life is based on axioms / constants, beliefs that do not change over time or circumstances. Our very own Heraclitus on the other hand, used to say “everything flows”, everything changes, nothing remains constant.
In the wine world for years now, we distinguish three types of wines depending on their color. White, red and reddish (pink). According to Descartes’ philosophy this cannot be changed. But if we are followers of Heraclitus, then the addition of a fourth dimension to this wine color palette should not surprise us.
Following Heraclitus, oenology actually created this fourth dimension. Through studies and experiments, orange wine was created or rather ‘Orange’ as it is internationally called. Orange is a wine made from grapes and has nothing to do with oranges, other than its orange color.
The most famous country in Orange production is Georgia. The most famous producer in the world is Gravner at the border of Slovenia and Italy who produces mainly natural wines. That is, wines without the addition of sulphites, yeasts or enzymes and which are fermented in amphoras. (We will write about natural wines in a future article).
So what exactly is this Orange wine and how is it made?
The answer lies in the production process. The usual process of white wine production today is the crushing of grapes and the immediate removal of the marc (seeds, stems and skins). So the fermentation in the white wine begins and ends without the marc and this is an essential difference in the vinification of white and red wines. As a result, the whites have a soft color; pale yellow to golden, during their maturation.
In Orange wines the fermentation is the same as in red wines. In other words, the must is fermented together with the marc. The wine is pumped over and of course oxygen is added to the must. That is why Orange wines have a bright yellow color at the beginning and an orange color when matured. They are characterized by tannins, complexity, intensity in taste and a long aftertaste. And one thing is for sure; oxygen is not their great enemy, as it is for white wines.
What is the best way to enjoy an Orange wine? From the rich Cypriot gastronomy we will suggest you choose dishes that will really surprise you when you accompany them with Orange wine and the way they will bring a harmonious combination on the table. Try Orange wine with “kolokasi” from Sotira, in red sauce with pork and celery. The traditional meat barbecue, “souvla”, enjoyed on August 15th, will be extra delicious with Orange wine and our vegan friends will surely be happy to try a fresh Orange wine with vegan almond or cashew nut cheese, fermented like blue cheese or brie.
