We all know that the conventional colours of wine are white, red and rosé. These are the three colours of wines that you’re presented with in your supermarket aisles, on restaurant menus or when questioned as to which you prefer. However, have you ever heard or seen wines outside this trio of colours? Well they’re out there and although may seem a bit bizarre to the eye, they will definitely impress at your next dinner party. Our wine experts at have searched high and low to find you the best of the bunch of the weird wine colours available.
There are some interesting variants of the red, white and rosé threesome. In fact, there are around 36 unique variations within these broad categories defining hue, wine intensity, and of course colour. The colour changes as the wines age, with reds going gradually brown through oxidation and whites evolving into more yellow shades, often adopting natural golden or brown hues. But what about the more vibrant colours? These may reflect more exotic wines, perhaps not always using grapes as the main source of alcohol.
Blue
One to try is from Spain. It’s blue and is called Gik Blue Wine. It’s in fact just normal red and white wine blended together with natural (organic) grape skin pigments called indigo and anthocyanin used to generate the blue colour. The origin of the name might be from the Thai word ‘Gik’ meaning someone (or something) you are in a casual relationship with. This might mean that you may fall in love with it, but it’s a fun experience! Blue represents movement, innovation and infinity; perhaps Kandinsky put it best: “the deeper the blue becomes, the more strongly it calls man towards the infinite, awakening in him a desire for the pure.”
Another relatively inexpensive blue wine getting rave reviews is the sparkling Blumond from the firm Saraceni in Italy. Definitely worth trying if for nothing but the novelty alone. Many have reported its use at weddings; something to spark conversation amongst the guests!
Green
What about green wines? Herbs have been infused into wine since the time of ancient Greece and today some of these aromatised wines are even infused with cannabis. One such product, Know Label, uses various strains of cannabis that are cold-extracted into the wine during vinification. This wine can only legally be consumed in California however.
The Portuguese also have their own version of green wine, Vinho Verde, which translates directly as ‘green wine’. Unfortunately, the quest for any colour association stops there. The green in these wines refers to their slightly effervescent, fresh liveliness, as they often have a low alcohol percentage (about 9%) and are bottled young.
In Scotland, Cairn O’Mohr wines produce a green wine made from oak leaves as the winery is too far north to grow grapes. Another interesting variant is the yellow-green jalapeño wine from the Cardinal Hollow Winery in Pennsylvania - there may of course be some heat associated with this one!
Cairn O’Mohr Wine
Orange
Orange is the final colour to make this list. Orange wines can be made from white grapes that have been left with their skins and their seeds intact for an extended period of time. These wines are commonly found in Georgia, Slovenia, and in some regions of Italy.
While you’re at it, why not try pumpkin wine from producers like Maple River Winery in North Dakota? Of course one can get other colours (also from this vineyard) by using fruits like apricot, gooseberry, rhubarb, strawberries and lilac flowers.
Now the big question is, what will you try first? Keep an eye on our weekly Wine auctions; you never know when one of these unusual bottles might pop up. Or perhaps you have a spectrum of colourful wines brightening up your basement? If you're curious to know how much they could make you at auction, register as a seller here to start offering them up.