You’ve been asking about these wines, so be sure to read all about it!
We’re used to the question “Red or White?”, when selecting wine. But now you can add “Orange” to that list. Orange wines may seem like a new trend, but they have been around since the ancient origins of wine, when clay vessels were used for fermentation and storage. Compton Family Wines currently offers two different Orange wines: Ramato (made from Pinot Gris) and Orange Gewurztraminer.
Orange wines have nothing to do with orange juice. They are made from white wine grapes left in contact with the skins and seeds, which imparts a variety of flavors to the finished product as well as a lovely orange hue. (The orange color comes from lignin in grape seeds as well as pigment in the skins). You’ll find that orange wines taste very different from their white wine counterparts, with more tannins, earthiness, tartness and less sweetness. Serve them at cellar temperature, or with the slightest chill, to preserve these aromas and flavors. Food pairings for orange wines are incredibly versatile, so feel free to experiment!
Our Orange Gewurztraminer has a lovely apricot hue from the peachy-pink color of Gewurztraminer grape skins. Take time to savor the heady bouquet, lychee, honeysuckle and stone fruit. You may expect sweetness, but this wine is bone-dry with zero residual sugar. Orange Gewurztraminer pairs very well with fragrant spiced dishes, sweet and sour flavors, pungent and washed-rind cheeses, even a white pizza.
This is a recent new release, so please share your great orange Gewurztraminer food pairings with us on Facebook or email to tastingroom@comptonwine.com. We love to talk about food and wine with you!