Here’s why orange wine is the perfect fall drink
Pumpkin spice lattes, hot chocolate and mulled wine are all nice for getting into the fall spirit. Until you realize Arizona’s sunny days coupled with a cup of hot coffee make wearing a cozy fall sweater out of the question.
That’s where orange wine comes in. It’s the perfect Arizona fall drink.
Best served chilled, this end-ofsummer sipper is sure to get you in the fall spirit while staying refreshed enough to hang those Halloween decorations outside.
And as the popularity of natural wine continues to grow in metro Phoenix, more and more local shops are carrying orange wines. But before you head to your local wine shop to grab a bottle or three, here’s why orange wine is the ideal fall drink for Arizona.
What is orange wine?
Orange wine, first and foremost, has nothing to do with oranges. The wine,
also sometimes called amber wine or skin-contact wine, is made by maceration. This means white wine grapes are left to ferment with their skins, similar to the way red wine is made. The time the grapes spend in contact with the skins gives normally light yellow to green-tinted white wine an orange hue.
The skins also give the wine extra flavor. The flavor of orange wine can range from mouth-puckeringly sour to honey. But one thing holds constant: these wines are richer and bolder than with most conventional white wines. A light, almost clear, barely-there white wine can gain quite the punch from a little skin contact.
Orange wines also range in terms of clarity. Some are almost completely clear while others you can barely see through. This has to do with sediment and filtration.
Orange wine’s cloudiness comes from sediment left in the bottle during the fermentation process. Orange wine does not have to be naturally made, but the two categories overlap more often than not. Natural wines — which winemakers often produce by letting fermentation occur spontaneously and without additional chemicals or preservatives including sulfites — are often identified by their cloudy appearance.
While not always the case, as a general rule, cloudier orange wines will also be sourer, sometimes tasting very similar to a sour beer.
Why orange wine is perfect for fall
The most obvious reason orange wine is perfect for Arizona fall is, well, its color. And unlike the neon pumpkincolored lattes everyone loves to hate, the color of these wines occur naturally.
Orange wine is also best served cold, a perfect pairing for the warm October days that tend to linger in the Valley.
One of my favorite things about orange wine is it often tastes similar to tea. Tannins, present in both red wine and tea, are strong in orange wine and offer an earthy bitterness that conjures images of fall leaves and chilly mornings.
These tannic flavors also pair well with some classic fall foods including butternut squash, mushrooms and sweet potatoes. Orange wine pairs well with charcuterie and, for those local to downtown Phoenix, it makes for a perfect takeout meal with the soppressata pizza from Pane Bianco.
Where to buy orange wine
● Hidden Track Bottle Shop, 111 W. Monroe Street, Suite 120, Phoenix. 602566-7932. Also, 5070 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix. 602-293-3077, hiddentrackbottleshop.com.
● Sauvage Bottle Shop, 901 N. First Street, Phoenix. 602-935-4947, sauvagephx.com.
● Century Grand’s The Grey Hen, 3626 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-739-1388, centurygrandphx.com.
● Arcadia Premium, 5618 E. Thomas Road, #100, Phoenix. 602-464-9000, arcadiapremium.com.
Locally-made skin-contact wines:
● Garage-East, 3000 E. Ray Road, Building 7, Gilbert. 480-493-7151, garage-east.com.
● Merkin Vineyards, 7133 E. Stetson Drive, #4, Scottsdale. 480-292-8602, merkinoldtownscottsdale.com.
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