About Koshu Orange
- Style
- White
- Grape Varieties
- Koshu
- Price Range
- ¥2,500-3,000
- Alcohol
- 12.5%
Koshu Orange is Iwaki Winery's skin-contact (orange wine) interpretation of Japan's indigenous Koshu grape, distinct from the winery's standard still Koshu. The lightly purple-skinned Koshu grapes are fermented with their juice and skins together, as if making a red wine, producing a wine that is neither white nor red but a distinctive orange hue. The extended skin contact gives it a fuller, more textured weight than a conventional white Koshu, with a dry finish and food-friendly character. It is a distinct bottling from the winery's standard Koshu (produced by conventional white-wine vinification without skin contact).
One of the few orange-wine expressions of Koshu on the market — skin contact gives this indigenous variety a weight and structure that a standard white bottling simply doesn't have.
New to wine?
A great first orange wine — it looks unusual but the dry, food-friendly palate is not intimidating, and it's a fun way to taste how skin contact changes a familiar Japanese grape.
Food Pairings
The added texture and gentle tannin-like grip from skin contact make it a versatile match for dishes richer than a typical white Koshu would suit — grilled white fish, tempura, roasted vegetables, and mildly spiced dishes.
When to drink it
For those curious about orange wine, or wanting a conversation-starting bottle for a dinner with slightly richer, more flavorful dishes.
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Koshu grapes grown at Iwaki Winery's own vineyards in Iwaki City, Fukushima. Vinified as an orange wine: fermented on skins (skin-contact maceration) in the manner of a red wine rather than pressed off before fermentation as with conventional white Koshu. Dry style, ABV 12.5%, 750ml bottle.
About the producer
Iwaki WineryFukushima's welfare-rooted winery, crafting classic wines from 14 grapes.いわき市, 福島県 · Founded 2015Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Koshu Orange?
- It is Iwaki Winery's orange (skin-contact) wine made from 100% Koshu grapes, fermented with juice and skins together in the manner of a red wine, resulting in an orange-hued wine that is neither white nor red.
- How is Koshu Orange different from Iwaki Winery's regular Koshu?
- The regular Koshu is a conventional dry white wine made by pressing the grapes before fermentation. Koshu Orange is a separate bottling made with extended skin contact, giving it more texture, weight, and a distinctive orange color.
- What does Koshu Orange taste like?
- It has a fuller, more textured mouthfeel than a typical white wine, with a dry finish and a food-friendly character that comes from the skin-contact maceration.
- What food pairs well with Koshu Orange?
- Its added weight and texture pair well with grilled white fish, tempura, and dishes with a bit more richness or umami than a standard Koshu would suit.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
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