Red, white and rose - it’s as easy as one, two, three when it comes to wine, right? Not so, it would seem as 2017 is set to be the summer that the industry’s little known secret joins the fray. Produced in small batches by independent retailers, orange wine has quietly been entering the mainstream as bars and restaurants start to focus on the drink's lesser known counterparts. Linked to the rise in a general consciousness in consumerism and a willingness to try something different, orange wine's growth has even seeped into some of London's biggest venues including The Ritz.
Before you claim your ‘in-the-know’ credentials first, the Romans have already beaten you, producing orange wine since roughly 8000 BC. Made in much the same way as red but using white grapes, it offers a happy medium as skins are left on during the production creating a more complex and fruity flavour than the lighter white. The wine is also generally produced using natural techniques such as spontaneous fermentation and no added chemicals resulting in fewer bottles; while you may not be able to pick it up at your local supermarket, try these four London spots for a glass of orange.
Vinoteca Marylebone and Farringdon
Combining both restaurant and wine shop, Vinoteca has various locations throughout London that serve hearty Italian food and a huge list of bottles. While constantly updating and changing, the venue currently stocks an orange wine called 2014 Amber by Cullen. Jetting all the way over from Magaret River in southwest Australia, the blend is made from biodynamic Semillon and Sauvignon grapes and comes from a certified biodynamic vineyard, so it must be good for you.
Head over to Marylebone or Farringdon for dinner and orange wine at Vinoteca.
Bedales Wine
Independent merchants Bedales have been servicing London’s wine needs at various markets for several years now and, as well as being a wholesaler, offer classes and tastings to the public. The intimate venues all have a whacking great list of orange wine on offer that changes regularly. From a Spanish Abillo by Alfredo Maestro through to a Clirette Blanche by Southern African based Three Foxes, the venue chooses a range of orange styles. Head to either Leadenhall, Borough or Spitalfields market to take part in workshops, wine and cheese pairings or grab a gift voucher.
Bedales Wine have a huge variety of orange wine, sourcing bottles from around the world.
Humble Grape
Located in Battersea and Fleet Street, Humble Grape only has one bottle of orange wine but they’ve made sure it’s a corker. The Vetus comes from Austria’s Winzer Schup, a family run vineyard that has been going for five generations. Now run by siblings Gregor VI and Johanna (both in their 20s - I KNOW, RIGHT?), the vineyard was originally planted by Romans nearly 2000 years ago, and is part of a UNESCO growing site creating a unique ecosystem - not your average sauvie b then.
As well as being a wine bar, Humble Grape also offers tastings and a bottle shop on site.
Vagabond wines
Vagabond Wines are another independent wine retailer that stock unusual bottles from around the globe. You can pop into the store or learn more about their selection with a series of masterclasses; head to the Spitalfields venue this September for a talk on Natural Wines from South Africa which will include a variety of orange options. If you can't wait that long, the bars also have a range of bottles that go great with cheese and charcuterie, or so we've heard...
Head to one of Vagabond Wines' tasting events to learn more about Orange Wine.
