Demystifying Orange Wine: Featuring Solis Lumen Orange Wine

If you have spent any time browsing wine bars or scrolling through beverage trends lately, you have likely run across the phrase orange wine. Despite the sudden modern boom, skin-contact wines are anything but a flash in the pan. In fact, they represent one of the oldest winemaking traditions on Earth. Today, we are thrilled to announce a major milestone for our market: the arrival of our very first true orange wine, the magnificent Solis Lumen Orange Wine from the South of France.

What Exactly is an Orange Wine?

To clear up the most common misconception right away: no, orange wine is not made from oranges! It is crafted exclusively from white wine grapes.

Traditionally, white wine is made by pressing the grapes immediately and fermenting only the clear juice, discarding the skins. Red wine, on the other hand, gets its color, depth, and structure because the juice ferments alongside the dark grape skins. Orange wine utilizes the red winemaking blueprint but applies it to white grapes. By leaving the white grape juice in contact with its skins anywhere from a few days to several months, winemakers extract a beautiful amber-orange hue, complex aromatic profiles, and a structural presence completely unique to the style.

Meet the Wine of the Week: Solis Lumen Orange

Hailing from the wind-swept, sun-drenched Languedoc region along the Mediterranean coast, Solis Lumen Orange is a masterful expression of South of France terroir. It is crafted by Olivier Coste, a passionate vigneron whose family has nurtured and made wine in the Languedoc for nine generations.

"My family has made wine in the Languedoc for nine generations. The Mediterranean Sea, the wind and the sun are fundamental elements of our region. They shape our wines and participate in our South of France art de vivre. Our orange wine exudes the citrus, sun and spices of the Southern French countryside."

— Olivier Coste, Winemaker

GRAPES	90% Muscat Petits Grains 10% Grenache Gris
VINIFICATION PROCESS	The grapes are carefully destemmed prior to maceration in concrete tanks. Traditional fermentation takes place at a controlled 18-24°C (65-75°F) with light pump-overs. This meticulous approach extracts the vibrant orange color and complex structure without drawing out harsh bitterness. After 7 days of skin maceration, the grapes are gently pressed. The free-run and press juices are separated, fined individually, blended, and then aged in tanks for 6 months before bottling.
DEGUSTATION NOTES	Stunning amber color in the glass. The nose opens with intense citrus aromas, lovely floral elements, and notes of lychee complemented by subtle blackcurrant leaf undertones. On the palate, it delivers a beautiful freshness, silky tannins, and a remarkably complex, herbal, and spicy finish.

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"Lovely floral elements on the nose, aromas of lychees with

blackcurrant leaf undertones. Herbal palate, aromatic and spicy finish."

— Decanter World Wine Awards, 91 Points, Silver Medal

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How to Drink and Pair It

Because orange wine occupies the space between white and red, it offers extraordinary versatility at the dining table. It possesses the refreshing acidity of a chilled white wine alongside the texture, tannin structure, and body closer to a light red.

Solis Lumen Orange is best served slightly chilled (around 50-54°F). It will perfectly complement an afternoon aperitif with friends, bold Asian cuisine (where its structure handles spice beautifully), and rich, curated cheese platters.

Our Commitments: Virtuous & Carbon Neutral

Solis Lumen is built on a global approach to protecting the planet. The estate focuses on virtuous agriculture, biodiversity preservation, and aggressive reduction in CO2 emissions. Both organic and certified carbon neutral, the wines use eco-conscious packaging solutions, including light, infinitely recyclable cans and space-saving Bag-in-Box options, to dramatically decrease their ecological footprint.

Come Try it This Week!

If you have been waiting for the perfect introduction to the world of skin-contact wines, this bottle is it. Stop by the market this week to pick up a bottle of Solis Lumen Orange, explore a new side of wine history, and toast to the nine generations of Languedoc craft. See you at Kramer's!