Skin contact wine is a term for white wines made by fermenting grape juice with grape skins. This results in an array of colors from golden straw yellow to vivid amber to orange, as well as different levels of tannins and flavors.
Two decades ago, this method of vinification was an innovation in the wine industry. Nowadays, however, it has become increasingly popular.
Skin Contact Wine
What is it?
Skin contact wine (also referred to as orange wine or amber wine) is a white wine fermented with grape skins and seeds, often without added yeast. This natural process requires little to no additives or preservatives and often uses minimal to no chemicals at all.
Wines with longer fermentation times tend to have a stronger tannic character and deeper color; hues can range from golden-straw yellow through vibrant amber and Tony the Tiger orange depending on how long the juice ferments with its skins.
Origins
Skin contact wine is a type of white wine made by fermenting juice that has been allowed to macerate (be in contact) with grape skins. This process results in deeper colors than regular white wines and higher tannin levels.
This ancient technique, first developed thousands of years ago in Eastern Europe, has now made its way worldwide. Traditionally, indigenous Georgian white grapes such as Rkatsiteli and Tsolikouri are allowed to ferment in clay vessels known as qvevri.
Wine makers today still use this technique, even though it has been criticized as an inadequate option in certain instances. When done correctly, however, the longer a grape spends on its skins, the more color and tannins are extracted in the final bottle.
Varieties
Skin contact wines are a relatively recent type of wine made by fermenting white grapes with their skins intact for an extended period. This process gives these wines a peachy/tangerine hue commonly referred to as orange wine.
Vintners often employ this technique to add more aromas and flavors to a wine, as well as increase its body and texture by making it more tannic.
Skin contact wine can be made from a variety of grapes, but those with abundant aromatics and complexity should be the preferred pick. Examples include Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Muscat and Viognier.
Skin contact wines have seen a meteoric rise in popularity over the last few years, with many high-end restaurants now carrying them. Australian winemakers such as Kathleen Quealy and Kevin McCarthy are at the forefront of this revolution.
Styles
Skin contact wine, also referred to as orange wine, is a unique style of white wine that spends extra time on the grape skins. During this process, the skins add color and tannins to the juice.
Cult winemakers are creating a new genre of wines using this style. This trend was spurred on by veganism and an increasing interest in organic and biodynamic grapegrowing practices, so it’s no surprise that this approach has gained such momentum.
Some wines are surprisingly fruit-forward with big flavor, while others can be oxidative and funky (think Jura sour white wines).
These make great accompaniments for picnics, cocktail hour or simply over a light lunch. The ideal skin contact wine is an intricate blend with plenty of texture and body.
Pairings
Skin contact wine is an increasingly popular trend that’s taking over wine lists and shelves around the world. It’s like your cool neighbor who wears tinted sunglasses, but you can’t help but wonder where they got those boots from.
Skin contact wine pairs best with dishes that highlight its earthy character. Try pairing this tea-like white with fresh fish, a light dessert or even an indulgent salad for maximum enjoyment.
They make for an excellent addition to any wine collector’s cellar. Skin contact wines offer big tannins and a depth of flavor similar to red wine but with the fruitiness of white. Experimenting with new tastes is always fun – try one today and see what works for you! Best of luck!
Is Skin Contact Wine Better?
Wine Folly describes skin contact wine as a type of white wine that looks and tastes similar to red wines, which are made with grape juice that has been allowed to soak in the skins for an extended period.
Due to this, the color, tannins and flavor profile may differ depending on how long the juice has spent with the skins.
It can be challenging to know what you are getting into when asking for a wine that has “skin contact,” as the process is so different from traditional wine styles.
Therefore, it is essential to comprehend the distinction in terms of winemaking techniques. Making white wine involves two primary methods: mash fermentation and must fermentation.
During must fermentation, juice is left to sit with grape skins for several days or weeks after being harvested, allowing them to absorb some of their natural color and flavor.
This method has been around for millennia, and it’s still practiced today in some regions. Georgia (and Eastern Europe in general) have a long-standing tradition of making wine using the skins of grapes.
Though orange-yellow or amber colored wines may not offer all the health benefits of red wine, they still contain heart-healthy antioxidants like carotenoids (found in carrots) and flavonoid type phenols.
Some skin-contact white wines are more delicate than others, so it’s essential to select one that meets your needs. Look for a light and approachable drinkable wine that has layers of cantaloupe and soft apple flavors, perfect with your favorite light lunch, picnic or pre-dinner aperitif.
What is the Difference Between Skin Contact and Orange Wine?
While “orange” might lead you to believe this wine is made from orange grapes, it actually refers to a type of white wine which spends more time in contact with grape skins than red wines do.
This technique has recently become increasingly popular, with wineries around the world experimenting with it.
What does “natural” mean to you?
Natural wine is an elusive category that has many interpretations. These wines tend to be produced using organic and biodynamic techniques, with natural yeasts and no added preservatives.
Skin-contact white wines are the newest trend in this genre. Made in the same manner as red wines, these wines have spent more time fermenting with grape skins to give them their color, tannins, and complex fruitiness you would expect from a white wine.
What makes it unique?
Aside from its distinct flavor and color, wine tasting with this bottle is an excellent opportunity to explore wines you might not otherwise try. Oxidation occurs when grape skins are touched, imparting a nuttiness and funkiness that you won’t find elsewhere.
Grape skins contain phenolic compounds with antiseptic and antioxidant properties similar to those found in sulfites.
When making white wine, leaving the skins on encourages these beneficial compounds to do their work more effectively – which is why many winemakers opt for this method over conventional techniques that would remove them.
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