Orange wine has become a favourite among adventurous wine drinkers, known for its striking amber hue and bold, complex flavour. But one question often arises: Does orange wine get better with age? Much like red wine, the answer isn’t straightforward—it depends on several factors, from the grape variety to how it's made.
Orange wine can improve with age due to its tannins, acidity, and structure. While many are enjoyable young, ageing enhances complexity, softens tannins, and deepens flavours. Typically, orange wines age well for 3-10 years, offering richer, more nuanced profiles over time. Ideal for wine enthusiasts seeking bold, evolving taste.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how orange wine is crafted, the science behind wine ageing, and whether cellaring your orange wine will enhance its unique characteristics. Plus, we’ll offer tips on how to select and store bottles that will stand the test of time.
At Seven Cellars, we pride ourselves on offering a carefully curated collection of orange wines perfect for both immediate enjoyment and longer-term ageing.
What is Orange Wine?
Before diving into whether orange wine benefits from ageing, it’s essential to understand what sets it apart.
Orange wine is made from white wine grapes but fermented with their skins and seeds intact, much like red wine production. This skin contact imparts the wine’s distinctive amber to orange hue and introduces tannins, phenolics, and bold flavours not typically found in conventional white wines.
Typical Characteristics:
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Flavour notes: Dried fruit, nuts, honey, tea, and savoury spices.
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Texture: Fuller-bodied with a grippy mouthfeel due to tannins.
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Aroma: Often oxidative, earthy, and complex.
Regions like Georgia (home to ancient qvevri winemaking), Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Slovenia are well-known producers of exceptional orange wines. Natural winemakers and organic vineyards worldwide have also embraced the style, further diversifying its profile.
How Ageing Affects Wine
To understand if orange wine improves with age, it’s useful to grasp how wine evolves over time.
Key Ageing Influences:
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Tannins: These soften and integrate, creating a smoother mouthfeel.
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Acidity: Helps preserve freshness and structure as the wine ages.
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Phenolics: Contribute to complexity and stability.
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Alcohol content: Acts as a preservative.
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Sugar and residual elements: Impact the longevity and balance of the wine.
During the ageing process, chemical reactions occur, breaking down tannins and phenolics while developing tertiary flavours like dried fruit, nuttiness, leather, and earthiness. Proper ageing can transform bold, youthful wines into layered, elegant pours.
Does Orange Wine Get Better with Age?
The Short Answer:
Yes, many orange wines are well-suited to ageing and can develop beautifully over time—if they have the right structure.
Orange wines inherently possess elements that make them more age-worthy than typical white wines:
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Higher tannin levels from extended skin contact.
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Complex phenolic compounds providing stability.
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Often higher acidity, especially in cooler-climate varietals.
What Happens to Orange Wine as It Ages?
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Tannins soften, resulting in a smoother, silkier texture.
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Flavours deepen, moving from fresh fruit and floral notes to dried fruit, nuts, honey, and savoury herbs.
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Oxidative qualities, depending on the winemaker's approach, may become more pronounced, creating sherry-like or umami characteristics.
Ideal Ageing Window:
Most quality orange wines show well between 3 to 10 years of ageing. Some traditional Georgian qvevri wines or structured Italian varieties can even age gracefully for 15+ years.
Factors to Consider Before Ageing Orange Wine
Not all orange wines age equally well, and several factors influence their suitability for cellaring. The grape variety, length of skin contact, winemaking techniques, and overall structure play a significant role in how the wine evolves over time. However, just as important as the ageing process itself is how you plan to enjoy the wine once opened.
Pairing an aged orange wine with the right dish can truly elevate the tasting experience. Mature orange wines, with their earthy, nutty, and honeyed notes, complement a wide range of foods—from rich, aged cheeses to game meats and Middle Eastern cuisine. If you’re looking for inspiration on what to serve alongside your aged bottle, explore wine and food pairing guides for expert ideas tailored to enhance your meal and wine combination.
To determine if a bottle is a good candidate, consider the following:
1. Grape Variety
Certain grape varieties naturally lend themselves to ageing:
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Ribolla Gialla
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Malvasia
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Rkatsiteli
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Pinot Gris (Grigio) These grapes have solid acid structures and distinct characteristics that evolve well over time.
2. Winemaking Technique
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Length of Skin Contact: Wines left on skins for weeks or months often have more tannins and phenolics, increasing their age-worthiness.
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Use of Oak: Oak ageing introduces vanillin, spice, and oxygen, contributing to complexity.
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Natural vs. Conventional Winemaking: Natural wines may contain minimal sulphites and fewer preservatives, so their ageing potential varies and requires ideal storage conditions.
3. Producer Reputation & Vintage Quality
Wines from respected producers or strong vintages tend to be crafted with longevity in mind. Researching the winemaker’s approach and prior vintages can give valuable clues.
When to Drink Orange Wine Young vs. Aged
Orange wines offer something special at every stage:
Young Orange Wines:
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Bright, bold, fruit-driven.
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Fresh floral, citrus, and herbal notes.
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Ideal for casual sipping or pairing with lighter dishes such as salads, seafood, and grilled vegetables.
Aged Orange Wines:
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Deeper, richer, and more nuanced.
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Notes of dried apricots, nuts, honeycomb, and earthy spices.
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Best enjoyed alongside complex dishes: aged cheeses, charcuterie, game meats, mushroom risottos, or Middle Eastern cuisine.
Ultimately, whether to age or drink young depends on personal preference and the specific wine’s composition.
How to Store Orange Wine for Ageing
Proper storage is crucial for allowing orange wine to mature gracefully. Follow these tips:
Storage Essentials:
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Temperature: Keep between 10-13°C (50-55°F) consistently.
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Humidity: Maintain around 70% to prevent corks from drying out.
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Light: Store bottles away from direct light, ideally in a dark place.
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Position: Store bottles on their sides to keep corks moist.
Additionally, serving temperature also plays a role in enhancing the drinking experience. For best results, consider the guidance on whether you should drink orange wine warm or cold to complement its characteristics perfectly.
If you don’t have access to a wine cellar, consider professional storage services or invest in a temperature-controlled wine fridge.
The Last Sip: Does Orange Wine Truly Improve Over Time?
So, does orange wine get better with age? In many cases, yes. Thanks to its unique production method, tannin content, and bold structure, orange wine often rewards patient drinkers with softened textures and complex, mature flavours. However, factors like grape variety, winemaking technique, and storage conditions play a crucial role in determining age-worthiness.
Whether you prefer to enjoy your orange wine in its vibrant youth or allow it to evolve into something truly special, Seven Cellars is here to guide you in selecting and storing the perfect bottle.
Visit our store or browse online to discover premium orange wines ready for your table—or your cellar.
