Move over Aperol Spritz! Orange wine sales explode in the UK as TikTokers declare it ‘the drink of the summer’ and trendy bars pop up dedicated to the tipple

It’s time to forget red and white – orange wine is here and it’s set to become the drink of the summer. 

The ‘delicious and versatile’ beverage has taken social media, trendy bars and even UK supermarkets by storm – with retailers reporting a massive spike in sales compared to last year.

Surprisingly, orange wine actually has nothing to do with the citrus fruit and is made from white wine by extending contact with the grape skins, which creates its distinctive colour. 

The natural wine can be thought of as halfway between a white and a red, while techniques for making it date back to around 5,000 years ago in Georgia – though it has only recently become popular in the UK. 

Sales for orange wine on Ocado have soared by 99 per cent this year – with searches also up 80 per cent – as the drink becomes the trendiest tipple for the summer. 

Christian Streatfield, wine buyer at Ocado said: ‘Orange wine is increasingly popular with our customers. 

‘Unlike typical white wine production, the grape skins remain in contact with the juice during fermentation, producing complex flavours and textures, as well as that deeper colour. 

‘The resulting wine is delicious and versatile, with something to offer both red and white wine fans.’

And those on TikTok have flocked to the social media platform, desperate to try out the new viral sensation for themselves. 

Daria Afshar bought a bottle of Solara Amber Natural Wine after seeing it trending on social media. 

In a TikTok video she said: ‘I just saw this on Instagram and we both really wanted to try it.  

‘It’s a little tart but refreshing for summer. It’s like if Aperol was a wine. This is yummy – orange wine is your new summer drink.’ 

One user based in New York, posting under the username @sarabyoself, predicted ‘orange wine is officially the wine of the summer’ while showing off her aesthetic set-up with a bottle of the orange. 

Meanwhile Liberty Rose May even attempted to make her own orange wine at home, although she did use the fruit rather than the traditional method. 

Others have filmed their reactions to tasting orange wine for the first time, while its unique colouring makes for the perfect photographs for influencers post online.

London hotspots have been quick to jump on the trend, with any popular wine bar keen to offer a range for orange wine seekers.  

The recently opened Oranj wine bar in Shoreditch is even named after the beverage and offers a wide selection, as well as reds and whites. 

And Aldi was keen to jump on the trend and started stocking an ‘orange rose’ wine earlier this year – which it claims to be a supermarket first. 

The bottle of the Specially Selected Rosorange hybrid wine, which retail at £9.99, have reportedly been flying off the shelves. 

A description says it ‘has all the personality of an orange wine, but unlike others of its kind, it comes with a pleasing softness, made possible with the addition of the refreshing rosé.’ 

Orange wine – also known as amber wine or ramato – has more body and flavour than a white wine. 

Its popularity has also been put down to curiosity and helping people learn more about the wines the drink.  

Helena Nicklin, ambassador at Ocado drinks added: ‘Interest in orange wine is continuing to grow and it’s easy to see why: the intriguing colour aside, there’s the natural and historical element to it. 

‘It is, after all, how wine was first made over 3000 years ago. 

‘Orange wine is also an incredibly versatile wine style, sitting somewhere between a heavier white and a light red, with lots of texture as well as fruit and aromatics, making it ideal for food pairing or sipping alone.’