Wine Watch: Celebrating Oranjegekte with a Glass of Orange Wine

As King’s Day approaches on April 26, wine enthusiasts are encouraged to swap traditional Heineken for a more festive option: orange wine. This lesser-known category is gaining traction in the Netherlands along with white, red, and rosé wines.

Orange wines are made from white grapes using a process typical of red wines, where the grape skins are left in contact with the juice for extended periods. This interaction gives orange wines their distinctive amber hue and a fuller texture compared to standard white wines. It’s essential to note that orange wines are different from natural wines, although the two categories occasionally overlap.

Historically, orange wines date back thousands of years, particularly in regions like Georgia, Slovenia, and Northern Italy, where fermenting white wines with skin contact has been practiced for generations. Interest in orange wines is resurging, likening it to the comeback of cargo pants in fashion.

These wines are known for their food compatibility, pairing well with dishes ranging from a Sunday roast to spicy Dutch vlammetje or an Indonesian rijsttafel.

Here are three recommendations that cater to different budgets, perfect for celebrating King’s Day:

1. Winzer Krems, Orange Grüner Veltliner, Austria, 2023 (€11.29)
   Available at Gall & Gall, this orange Grüner Veltliner offers a golden hue and light tannins. It presents flavors like mandarin, orange blossom, and white peach, making it an excellent pairing with spicy dishes.

2. Wijngoed Wolf, Oranje Boven, the Netherlands, 2022 (€17.95)
   Produced in Noord-Brabant, this biodynamic wine is crafted from Souvignier Gris and Sauvignac grapes. Refreshing with a peachy-pale color, it pairs well with cheese boards. You can find it at Bob Wijn, part of Vindict.

3. Koncho Rkatsiteli Qveri, Amber Dry, Georgia, 2020 (€17.95)
   A traditional Georgian wine made from Rkatsiteli grapes, this amber wine is fermented in clay amphorae, delivering exotic flavors of dried fruits and spices. It’s perfect alongside Middle Eastern mezze or Moroccan tagine, available at Bilderdijk Wijnhuys in Amsterdam.

For those looking to dive deeper into the world of orange wines, resources are available to explore this category further. Celebrate King’s Day with these unique selections to embrace the orange wine movement in style!

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!