The History and Revival of Skin Contact Wine in 2024

The Skin Contact Wine, colloquially known as “orange wine,” has seen a huge comeback of late. That style of wine, with its orange color and complex flavor, is created by fermentation with grape skins, a method more typical for red wines, on white grapes. What was once a forgotten method of wine production became popular as a symbol of the natural wine movement, pulling in wine enthusiasts who love the rich history and artisanal qualities behind skinless wine making.

What is Skin Contact Wine?

Skin Contact Wine is made with white grapes; during fermentation, the grape skins are kept in contact with the juice. This skin-contact wine differs in color, tannins, and flavors from conventional white wine production, as the prolonged contact with grape skins is responsible for conferring these traits. The orange-amber color, more full-bodied flavor profile, and more red-wine-like texture all contribute to a particular set of characteristics.

Characteristics

• Color: Deep yellow with touches of amber or orange.
• Tannins: As in red wines.
• Flavor: Often described as bold, with notes of dried fruit, nuts, and spices. 
• Texture: More structured and fuller-bodied than regular white wines.

 A Brief History of Skin Contact Wine: Ancient Origins

The History of Skin skinless wine goes thousands of years to the Caucasus region, specifically to the land of modern-day Georgia, where the evidence for winemaking has been dated way back over 8,000 years. Traditional Georgian winemakers used huge clay vessels called qvevris for fermentation, whereby grape skins, seeds, and sometimes stems were left in contact with the juice for a long period of time.

The Decline of Skin Contact Wines

Despite its ancient roots, skinless wine fell out of favor in much of the world as winemaking techniques evolved. As modernist winemakers took over in the 19th and 20th centuries, they enshrined clarity and consistency and widely disseminated techniques for producing white wine without skin contact. Due to this, skinless wine became very rare, and only some traditional areas and small-scale producers were able to conserve the old ways.

The Return of Skin Contact Wine

The Natural Wine Movement

The revival of skinless wine can be broadly attributed to the natural wine movement itself, which picked up steam in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Those who advocated for natural wine supported minimal intervention during winemaking, such as working organically or biodynamically and undergoing wild fermentation using only indigenous yeasts. Skinless wine became a part of this movement since they have very minimal processing and are closest to the traditional techniques.

Trends 2024

The year 2024 is one of rebirth for skinless wine, with a surge of interest from producers and wine consumers. Some major trends of this year are listed below:

• More producing companies: With the ever-growing number of wineries all over the world producing wines through this method, there never have been more wines available.
• Wider availability: Skinless wine become more accessible, featuring on every wine shop and restaurant list.
• Diverse Styles: Of late, winemakers have been experimenting with varied grape varietals and periods of fermentation, which has led to an amazingly broad range of flavors and styles within the category.

The Market for Skin Contact Wine in 2024

Global Trends

The global market for skin contact wine has increased over some time and hence has shown specific trends in 2024:

• Popularity in the U.S. and Europe: Wines with skin contact have gained popularity in both U.S. And European markets, with the number of consumers seeking such peculiar wines rising.
• Geographical expansion into new markets: Recently, there is also been interest in skin contact wines in countries like Japan, Australia, and South Africa, which has led to their increased production and availability.
• Online Boom Sales: Because of the growth of e-commerce, most consumers today have easy access to a variety of skin contact wines from across the globe.

FAQ

What is skin contact wine?

Including the skin during the fermentation of white grapes gives skin contact wine its orange or amber tint and complex flavors.

Is skin contact wine the same as orange wine?

People often refer to skin contact wine as ‘orange wine’ because of its amber or orange color. Although people often use the terms interchangeably, skinless wine is the more technical term, referring to the winemaking method.

How long is the duration of skin contact?

This may run from a few days to months, depending on what the winemaker is trying to achieve. The more time of skin contact, the deeper the color and the more pronounced the tannins.

How do I serve skin contact wine?

Serve skinless wine slightly chilled, usually between 50 and 55 °F. It will go well in a larger wine glass to allow the wine to breathe and show off its aromas.

Conclusion

It’s a huge moment for wine, as the revival of Skin Contact Wine happens in 2024. This ancient technique of winemaking was all but forgotten, only to be reborn with the natural wine movement. And an increasing appreciation for traditional artisanal practices. Skinless wine create a completely different sensory experience due to their complex flavors and rich textures. Along with a range of striking colors that seem most appealing to both seasoned wine lovers and curious newbies alike.