Orange wine has moved from a niche choice to a much more widely recognised wine over the past year, with more traditional winemakers even experimenting with skin-contact bottles. Often referred to as skin-contact wine, orange wine is made using white wine grapes but follows a process more commonly associated with red wine production.
Instead of separating the juice from the grape skins straight away, the grapes are left to macerate together for anywhere from several days to up to a year. This extended contact is what gives the best orange wine its distinctive golden-amber colour, deeper flavour profile and tannic structure.
Orange wine is often associated with small-batch producers and premium prices, with many bottles costing upwards of £30. While independent winemakers are leading the charge with innovative approaches to this style, there are also some impressive budget-friendly bottles out there. I’ve rounded up the best options that offer great flavour without stretching your wallet.
Here are the best orange wines I’ve tested, selected for their flavour, quality and value.
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The best orange wines for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Tillingham ‘ortega’ orange wine: £35, Delli.market
- Best budget buy – Lyrarakis assyrtiko-vidiano orange wine Crete 2023/24: £15, Majestic.co.uk
- Best sparkling – Saddle Goose orange bacchus brut nature, 2024: £29, Saddlegoose.co.uk
- Best house wine – Top Cuvée house orange wine: £19.35, Topcuvee.com
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