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Farming

Skin Contact Wine: What Is It & Why You Should Try It

What Is Skin Contact Wine?

Skin contact wine, often called orange wine, is a white wine made using red wine techniques. Instead of immediately pressing the juice from the grapes, the skins are left in contact with the juice for days, weeks, or even months, creating a richer colour, bolder flavours, and added texture. The result? A wine that sits between white and red in style, offering tannin, depth, and complexity.

How Skin Contact Wine Is Made

Unlike conventional white wines, which are pressed off the skins straight away skin contact wines ferment with their skins intact. This process extracts colour, tannins, and aromatic compounds, giving the wines their signature amber hue and structured mouthfeel.

Regions likeGeorgia, Friuli (Italy) and Sloveniahave long traditions of making these wines, with many producers using organic, biodynamic, and low-intervention methods.

Flavours & Styles of Skin Contact Wine

Skin contact wines vary widely in taste depending on grape variety, length of maceration, and winemaking techniques. Some common tasting notes include:

  • Citrus & Stone Fruits – Orange peel, apricot, peach.

  • Herbal & Floral – Chamomile, bergamot, dried herbs.

  • Nutty & Oxidative – Almond, hazelnut, sherry-like richness.

  • Spicy & Tannic – Ginger, clove, grippy tannins akin to red wine.

Looking for something bold and structured or light and fresh? Explore our Skin Contact Wine Collection at Cave.

Best Food Pairings forS Skin Contact Wines

Thanks to their texture and acidity, skin contact wines are incredibly food-friendly. Try pairing them with:

  • Spiced Dishes – Middle Eastern, Indian, or North African cuisine.

  • Cheese & Charcuterie – Hard cheeses like Comté, aged cheddar, or even blue cheese.

  • Grilled & Roasted Vegetables – Aubergine, mushrooms, or squash dishes.

  • Fermented Foods – Kimchi, miso, or pickled vegetables enhance the complexity.

How to Choose Your First Skin Contact Wine

If you’re new to skin contact wines, start with a lighter, fresher style before diving into the more intense, tannic bottles. Some great options available at Cave include:

  • Piangrillo, Flaneur– A great entry into this skin contact or orange style with bright acidity, tropical and citrus notes.

  • Piquentum, Malvasija– A more complex skin contact wine with floral aromas, note sof toasted almond and a pleasing saltiness on the finish

  • Teunta Grillo, Baccabianca– A bold, structured bottle with a long 30- 40 day maceration and 5 years in bottle before release. Nutty, honied, layered and complex. Stunning.

Where to Buy the Best Skin Contact Wines

At Cave, we source some of the best skin contact wines from small, sustainable producers. Whether you’re looking for a light introduction to the style or a deep, tannic bottle, our collection has something for every taste.Browse our full range of Skin Contact Wines here.

Final Thoughts

Skin contact wines offer a unique drinking experience that bridges the gap between white and red wine. Whether you're an adventurous wine lover or just starting to explore, there's a bottle for you.Visit Cave to discover the best skin contact/orange wines and expand your wine journey today.

 

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