Natural wine is all the rage these days, and one of the most popular, talked-about, and intriguing subcategories of natural wine is orange wine. You've likely heard of it by now, but you may be surprised to learn that its distinguishing orange shade involves no oranges whatsoever.

While red wine is fermented with skin-contact red grapes, and white wine is fermented with white grapes without skin contact, orange wine is made from white grapes with skin contact. "The skins contribute color, body, and an impression of some tannin that changes the wine's texture, as well as changing the flavors of the wine," says Wine Enthusiast.

Orange wines are generally dry and robust and can be tart, but often contain a citrus or floral profile and herbaceous or fruity notes. Because of the hints of tannin it gets from the skin contact, orange wine pairs well with bold flavors like spice-filled dishes, grilled meats, and strong cheeses.