Red wines with hints of orange flavors are quite unique and can offer wine drinkers exciting new tasting experiences. The orange notes come from different winemaking techniques that impart subtle citrus flavors into the wine. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular red wines that take on enticing orange nuances.
What Causes Hints of Orange Flavor in Red Wines?
There are a few different winemaking methods that can result in hints of orange characteristics in red wines:
- Use of neutral oak barrels – Wine aged in neutral oak barrels that previously held orange wines can pick up traces of orange flavor.
- Skin contact – Extended skin contact, also called maceration, can extract orange oil flavors from the grape skins.
- Co-fermentation with white grapes – Some wines are made by co-fermenting red and white grape varieties together, allowing red wines to take on some of the white grape characteristics.
- Addition of orange wine – Blending a small amount of orange wine into a red wine can impart orange aromas and flavors.
These techniques allow winemakers to creatively add layers of complexity to red wines. The touch of orange is meant to complement, not overwhelm, the core red fruit and savory notes.
Popular Red Wines with Orange Notes
Here are some of the most popular red wines that are known for their enticing hints of orange:
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is one of the best grapes for expressing subtle orange flavors. The grape’s delicate nature makes it ideal for showing off complex nuances. Pinot Noir is made into orange-kissed wines in regions like Oregon and New Zealand.
Gamay
The Gamay grape of the Beaujolais region in France is another variety that lends itself well to orange wine techniques. Some producers make Gamay in a style similar to orange wines by fermenting whole grape clusters.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is a parent grape of Cabernet Sauvignon and is also used for orange-hinted red wines. The grape’s herbaceous and peppery notes pair nicely with orange undertones.
Blaufränkisch
The Blaufränkisch grape, popular in Austria, produces spicy reds that can take on charming orange nuances. Extended skin maceration helps extract both the grape’s fruity and citrusy flavors.
Syrah
Syrah from regions like Australia and South Africa can also be vinified with an orange wine approach to add orange peel and citrus highlights to the red berry flavors.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo is the famous red grape of Rioja, Spain. Some producers are experimenting with orange wine methods to put a new twist on the classic variety.
Tasting Notes and Food Pairings
Here are some common tasting notes and food pairings for red wines with a hint of orange:
Tasting Notes
- Citrus
- Orange peel
- Red berries
- Pomegranate
- Herbs
- White pepper
- Floral
- Minerals
Food Pairings
- Roasted duck
- Mushroom risotto
- Lamb chops
- Eggplant parmesan
- Goat cheese
- Vegetable curries
The touch of orange makes these wines very food-friendly and versatile for pairing with dishes across many cuisines.
Notable Producers
Some top producers excelling at red wines with hints of orange include:
- Johan Vineyards (Oregon)
- Teutonic Wine Company (Oregon)
- Garage Wine Co. (Chile)
- La Rioja Alta (Spain)
- Domaine Guiberteau (Loire Valley, France)
- Nikolaihof (Austria)
- Cullen Wines (Australia)
- Storm Wines (South Africa)
These are just a few examples of wineries leading the way with orange-inflected reds. As winemakers continue to innovate, more regions will likely join in producing their own renditions.
Winemaking Process
So how exactly do winemakers coax hints of orange into red wines? Here’s an overview of the winemaking techniques involved:
Grape Variety Selection
Winemakers select grape varieties like Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Cabernet Franc that have an affinity for displaying orange flavors.
Gentle Pressing
After crushing the grapes, gentle pressing is used to limit tannin and phenolic extraction, retaining fruity and floral notes.
Prevention of Oxidation
Care is taken to avoid oxidation, which could diminish fresh orange aromas.
Neutral Oak or No Oak
Wines are typically aged in neutral oak barrels or sometimes no oak at all to preserve the wine’s pure fruit expression.
Lees Contact
Wine may be left in contact with yeast lees to develop more complexity and texture.
Blending Orange Wine
A portion of orange wine may be blended into the red wine for added orange aromatics.
Tasting Tips
When tasting red wines with a splash of orange, here are some tips to get the most out of the experience:
- Use a stemmed glass to appreciate the aromas – a pinot noir glass works well.
- Take time to sniff the wine and detect the orange citrus notes.
- Taste the wine slowly and observe how the orange flavors interact with the red fruit and savory notes.
- Pay attention to the texture – wines with orange hints often have more body and roundness.
- Enjoy the wine lightly chilled – around 60°F (15°C) – to emphasize the lively aromatics.
The touch of the exotic provided by orange wines makes these red blends shine. Savoring them attentively allows you to unlock the nuances.
Food Pairing Suggestions
To fully experience how red wines with hints of orange dance with food, here are some tasty pairing suggestions:
| Food | Red Wine Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Seared tuna with citrus sauce | Pinot Noir |
| Five spice duck breast | Gamay |
| Hoisin-glazed pork tenderloin | Cabernet Franc |
| Chicken tikka masala | Blaufränkisch |
| Grilled vegetables | Tempranillo |
The complementary flavors match seamlessly. Experiment with food pairings to fully unlock the potential.
Wine Regions Producing Orange-Influenced Reds
Regions around the world that produce stand-out red wines with a splash of orange include:
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Oregon Pinot Noirs with extended skin contact offer red berry and blood orange notes.
Central Otago, New Zealand
New Zealand Pinot Noir made with a focus on purity and aromatics gains orange blossom highlights.
Beaujolais, France
Whole-cluster fermented Gamay from Beaujolais develops blueberry and mandarin orange flavors.
Rioja, Spain
Rioja reds blended with Viura bring out aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and orange zest.
Burgenland, Austria
Burgenland Blaufränkisch adopts tangerine and blood orange notes from extended skin contact.
Swartland, South Africa
Swartland Syrah co-fermented with Viognier gains zesty clementine and orange blossom aromas.
As winemakers keep innovating, more regions will likely craft their own riffs on orange-influenced red wines.
Cellaring Capability
How do red wines with hints of orange fare with bottle aging? Here are some cellaring considerations:
- Drink most young – The vibrant fruit and orange aromas are best enjoyed in the first 1-3 years.
- Age higher acid wines – Lean, acidic reds with orange notes can age for 5-7 years.
- Monitor old bottles – Bolder examples may last up to 10 years, but monitor old bottles for decline.
- Store properly – Keep wines in cool cellar conditions to preserve freshness.
- Delay if possible – Allow producer’s intent for oxygen exposure before aging.
While many of these wines are made for early enjoyment, the top examples can evolve intriguingly for those with patience.
Conclusion
Red wines with a splash of orange represent an exciting new wine frontier. Skilled winemakers use methods like skin contact, neutral oak, and co-fermentation with white grapes to imbue reds like Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Syrah with enticing orange notes. The touch of the exotic serves to complement, not mask, the innate fruit flavors. Savoring these wines attentively reveals a riveting interplay of citrus and red fruit. As winemaking continuously evolves, lovers of innovation will eagerly anticipate the next wave of orange-kissed red wines built to tantalize the senses. The future holds more delicious examples waiting to be discovered.