Wine Trends on Sommo — AI Wine Scanner, WSET Prep & Wine Journal App

Skin-Contact Wine: What It Is and Why It's Trending

Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

You have probably seen it on restaurant menus, spotted it in the hands of someone impossibly stylish, or noticed that amber-coloured glass catching the light across the room. Skin-contact wine is having a serious moment, and for good reason. But what exactly is it?

What Is Skin-Contact Wine?

Skin-contact wine is made from white or rosé grapes that are fermented with their skins left in contact with the juice, rather than being pressed off immediately as in conventional white winemaking. That extended skin contact is what gives the wine its characteristic amber or golden-orange hue, which is why it is commonly called orange wine: the name refers to the colour, not the fruit.

Natural Wine Guide

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Natural wine has gone from a niche movement to a fixture on restaurant lists and shop shelves around the world. But for every enthusiast who swears by it, there’s a skeptic who dismisses it as cloudy juice with a hefty price tag. The reality is more nuanced – and more interesting – than either side suggests. This guide covers what natural wine actually is, how it’s made, what makes it different from conventional wine, and how to find bottles worth drinking.

Chilled Red Wine: Why This Trend Makes Sense

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Sommeliers are putting red wine in the fridge. Here’s why you should too.

For generations, the rule was simple: white wine goes in the fridge, red wine stays at room temperature.

Except that rule was always a little broken.

“Room temperature” was established in drafty European castles around 60 to 65°F (15 to 18°C). Your modern living room? Probably 72°F or warmer. That means your “room temperature” red wine is actually being served too warm.