When we talk about making wine, we often think of stories of fine wine, but there is a treasure that is seldom mentioned: orange wine making. Behind this special brewing process lies generations of tradition and insistence on quality, and as one orange wine maker puts it, “Orange wine is our concentrated time, and every drop is the fruit of love.”
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the process of making Orange Wine, the source of its unique flavor, and the ineffable taste that comes from the amazing journey of making Orange Wine.
The Origins of Orange Wine
Orange wine, with its ancient origins in Turkey, has a long history and is now enjoyed all over the world. However, it is still made the old-fashioned way. An experienced orange wine maker tells us that the process requires a great deal of expertise and patience. Orange wine is not made overnight, it takes time, patience and real passion,” he says. That’s what makes orange wine so special.”
The Orange Wine Making Process
The process of making orange wine is full of mystery, combining scientific precision with artistic inspiration. First, the finest oranges are selected, often in a rigorous process to ensure purity of flavor and richness of texture. Then, the peel is carefully peeled to preserve the best part of the orange and discard the other components. This process of refining the peel is the first step in the production of orange wine and ensures that the flavor is rich and distinctive.
Next, the peels are soaked in a special way in high quality alcohol. This process can take weeks, even months, to ensure that the flavors of the peels are fully extracted. The distillers tell us that this is one of the most challenging parts of the orange wine making process, requiring constant monitoring and adjustments to ensure that the final product is perfect.
Orange wine making is a delicate process that requires rigorous steps and specialized techniques. Here are the right steps for making orange wine:
1. Select quality oranges:
Choose oranges that are ripe, fresh, spotless and firm. Good quality oranges are the basis for making high quality orange wine.
2. Peeling:
Peel off the outer skin of the orange with a paring knife or a grater, taking only the skin and avoiding the white part, as the white color will bring a bitter taste.
3. Soak the peel:
Put the peel into a container with a high concentration of alcohol and allow the peel to soak completely in the alcohol to extract the flavor of the orange peel. This process takes weeks to months.
4. Blend the orange liqueur base:
In a separate container, prepare the base wine for the orange wine. Usually white wine or other neutral wines are used as the base wine. Choosing the right base wine is important to ensure a well-balanced flavor of orange wine.
5. Mix the orange peel with the base wine:
The extracted orange peel is blended with the base wine. This step allows the flavors and aromas of the orange peel to fully integrate into the base wine.
6. Add sugar and spices:
According to personal preferences and specific recipes, the appropriate amount of sugar and other spices are added to blend the unique taste and flavor of orange wine.
7. Brewing and aging:
Place the blended orange wine in an airtight container and allow it to ferment and age. This period can last from a few months to a few years, allowing the flavors of the orange wine to be further enriched and balanced.
8. Filtering and bottling:
After the Orange Wine has achieved the desired flavor, it is properly filtered to remove the solid residue, and then bottled and preserved. Orange wine can then be tasted or fermented for a longer period of time.
These steps constitute the basic process of orange wine making, and the winemaker will fine-tune the process according to his own experience and preference to create a unique flavor of orange wine.
When making Orange Wine, details and attention to detail are very important to ensure that a high quality, flavorful Orange Wine is produced. Below are some additional important details and precautions:
1. Orange peel selection and handling:
Use uncontaminated, organically grown oranges to ensure the quality of the peel.
When peeling, avoid the white part of the peel, as the white color will bring bitter taste and affect the flavor of the orange wine.
2. Orange Peel Soaking Process:
Ensure that the orange peels are completely immersed in a high concentration of alcohol, which helps to extract the flavor of the peels.
Monitor the soaking time to avoid excessive bitterness.
3. Base wine selection:
Use neutral or light white wine as the base wine to avoid the flavor of the base wine itself interfering with the special aroma of orange peel.
4. Sugar and flavor additions:
Determine the amount of sugar to balance the bitterness of the orange peel and create the desired sweetness.
When choosing spices, carefully consider the proportion of each spice to avoid overpowering the flavor of the orange peel.
5. Brewing and aging:
Control the timing of fermentation and aging, which will affect the texture and flavor of the orange wine.
Regularly check the progress of the orange wine and make fine adjustments as needed.
6. Filtration and clarification:
Use proper filtration techniques to remove residues and ensure that the orange wine is clear and not cloudy.
7. Storage:
When storing orange wine, choose well-sealed bottles and avoid contact with air and light to maintain flavor stability and quality.
Keep track of the development of your Orange Wine through regular tastings and determine when it is best suited to your tastes.
These details and precautions will help you achieve better results in the orange wine making process and produce a satisfying orange wine.
Flavor Brewing
Once the flavor of the orange peel has been perfectly extracted, the orange wine maker blends it with sugar and other flavorings. This process is the secret to the flavor of orange wine. Each brewer has his or her own unique recipe, which determines the final flavor of the orange wine. Some people prefer a sweeter taste, while others prefer the slight bitterness of Orange Wine. This diversity is one of the fascinating aspects of orange wine making.
Orange wine makers add, “The flavor of orange wine comes not only from the peel, but from every detail. Every orange wine has its own story, just as every winemaker has his own flavor.”
The Precipitation of Time
Once the components of an orange wine have been perfectly blended, they need to rest and settle, which is the final step in the orange wine making process. This resting period is designed to allow the different ingredients to blend better, creating a richer and more balanced flavor profile.
This stage usually takes a few months, sometimes even a few years. This is the time when our orange wine matures and gets better,” says the Orange Wine Maker. Time allows the flavors to become more complex and the orange wine to reach its peak of deliciousness.”
The result
When Orange Wine is finally finished, it is more than just a fine wine, it is the embodiment of a period of time. Each drop of orange wine is the brainchild of an orange wine maker who wants to pass on his or her passion for the art to every sommelier.
Each of these orange wines has its own unique flavor and character. Some have a fresh citrus aroma that makes you feel like you’re in an orange grove with the sea breeze, while others have a rich, fruity flavor that is like fresh orange juice swirling in your mouth. The Orange Wine Maker concludes, “Orange wine is our pride and joy, and each bottle is a work of art.”
The Future of Orange Winemaking
Orange wine making is an ancient and unique wine making technique that continues to attract more and more enthusiasts. Brewers are exploring and trying to take orange wine to the next level. They experiment with different orange varieties, blend different spices, and even explore combinations with other fruits to create more diverse orange wine flavors.
In modern times, orange wine making has become an art that combines tradition and innovation. The distillers have taken orange wine to new heights by building on tradition and incorporating modern techniques and concepts. They are constantly striving for higher quality, richer and more diversified orange wine products, and look forward to spreading this passion to as many people as possible.
Orange wine making is a unique brewing technique that combines history, technology and art. Every orange wine maker is passionate and dedicated to this craft, and their hard work and ingenuity make orange wine one of the jewels of fine wine.
In this article, we take a closer look at the process of making orange wine, the perseverance and innovation of the distillers, and the diverse flavors of orange wine. Orange wine making is a complex and beautiful art, so let’s honor the dedication and passion of the orange wine makers. May we continue to savor and explore the wonderful world of orange wine for many years to come.
