Gerard Bertrand Orange Gold is a 750ml, 13% ABV orange wine from the South of France built from a distinctive seven-grape blend of white varietals. The 2023 vintage earned Gold medals at both The Global Masters and the Sakura Awards, confirming its standing among the most accomplished orange wines currently in production.Quick Facts: ABV: 13% | Origin: South of France (Vin de France) | Orange Wine | Producer: Gérard BertrandProduction & HeritageGérard Bertrand, one of the most influential winemakers in the Languedoc-Roussillon, produces Orange Gold by vinifying white grapes in the manner of red wines — fermenting in whole bunches with extended skin and stalk contact to extract the wine's signature amber-orange hue. The blend of Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Marsanne, Mauzac, Muscat, and Clairette undergoes partial carbonic maceration in stainless steel before moving to barrel, where maceration completes and the wine rests briefly before bottling. This hybrid technique — borrowing from both Beaujolais-style carbonic methods and traditional skin-contact winemaking — gives Orange Gold a textural richness and aromatic complexity that sets it apart from simpler single-varietal orange wines.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with white flowers and candied stone fruit before shifting into kumquat, Valencia orange, and marigold. A thread of white pepper and peach fuzz adds aromatic lift and intrigue.Taste: The entry is juicy and immediately spiced, with apricot and tangerine leading into a mid-palate of ripe pear, Granny Smith apple, and a touch of molasses. The texture is almost luscious — viscous and enveloping — while a light grip of tannins from the skin maceration provides structure. Balance is excellent for a wine at 13% ABV, with bold fruit held in check by saline minerality.Finish: Medium-long, with a wash of salinity and lingering notes of dried apricot and citrus pith. A subtle tannic frame carries through, leaving a clean but persistent impression.How to Drink Orange GoldServe lightly chilled, around 12–14°C (54–57°F), to let the aromatic complexity unfold without muting the texture. A stemmed white wine glass with a wider bowl helps capture the layered nose. Orange Gold also performs well in food-forward cocktail contexts: try it in a White Negroni, where its tannic grip and bitterness mirror Suze beautifully; in a Spritz topped with soda and a grapefruit twist, playing off the wine's citrus character; or in a Sangria built with stone fruits and fresh herbs, where the seven-grape complexity adds unusual depth.Best For Introducing curious wine drinkers to the orange wine category with an accessible, gold-medal expression Pairing at dinner parties featuring Mediterranean or North African cuisine Gifting a wine enthusiast who already has a well-stocked cellar of reds and whites Exploring skin-contact winemaking from one of Southern France's most decorated producers Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Orange Gold taste like? Orange Gold delivers bold flavors of apricot, tangerine, and Valencia orange layered over ripe pear, apple, and a hint of molasses, with a lightly tannic, saline finish. The texture is notably viscous and enveloping, packing considerable punch for a 13% ABV wine.How does Orange Gold compare to a light red like Beaujolais? Both share fruit-forward approachability and a carbonic maceration element, but Orange Gold trades Beaujolais's red berry character for stone fruit, citrus, and floral aromatics with a more pronounced saline minerality. The tannic structure in Orange Gold is lighter and finer, coming from white grape skins rather than red.Is Orange Gold good for beginners exploring orange wine? Yes — its seven-grape blend produces a balanced, aromatic style that is bold without being aggressive, making it one of the more approachable entry points into the orange wine category.Where is Orange Gold made? Orange Gold is produced by Gérard Bertrand in the South of France, classified under the Vin de France appellation, which allows the producer freedom to blend grapes from multiple Southern French vineyard sites.What foods pair well with Orange Gold? Moroccan tagine with preserved lemon complements the wine's citrus and spice notes. Grilled halloumi or aged Comté echo its textural richness. Seared scallops with apricot glaze mirror the stone fruit character, while charcuterie with pickled vegetables plays off the tannic grip and salinity.What sizes does Orange Gold come in? Orange Gold is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.Is Orange Gold worth the price? Orange Gold positions as a mid-range expression within the growing orange wine category, and its dual Gold medals from The Global Masters and Sakura Awards, combined with consistent critic scores around 88–89 points, suggest strong value relative to its quality tier.Why Orange Gold?Few orange wines combine this level of varietal complexity — seven distinct Southern French grapes — with a production method as intentional as partial carbonic maceration followed by barrel rest. The result is a wine that bridges the textural weight of traditional Georgian-style skin-contact wines with the aromatic precision of modern French winemaking. Back-to-back Gold medals at The Global Masters and Sakura Awards validate the approach, and consistent scores near 89 points from critics confirm vintage-to-vintage reliability. For anyone serious about understanding what contemporary orange wine can achieve, this bottle makes a compelling case.
