Skin-2-Skin: Orange Wine Symposium Returns to Shanghai

Stars of the “orange wine world” and an international celebrity chef will come together in Shanghai at the second edition of “Skin-2-Skin: Orange Wine Symposium” in November to explore, taste and debate the place of orange wine in China’s wine and dine scene in front of 80+ China’s top wine professionals.

Orange wine, also known as “amber wine” and “white wine with Maceration”, is the new 8th category of “special wines” announced in 2020 by the OIV, the intergovernmental organisation which deals with technical and scientific aspects of viticulture and winemaking. It is a significant development and trend in the wine world.

The first “Skin-2-Skin: Orange Wine Symposium” in 2023 welcomed 110+ trade guests and 24 global iconic orange wines from 11 countries, which is a standout success. The 2024 program has been supercharged and will see the presentation of many different wineries and winemakers, including several of the most famous "cult" winemakers in this world joining in person. The program also features different international, Asian and Chinese speakers; a focus on food pairing with discussion featuring international and local high-profile chefs; and a sharper focus on how to position, sell and market orange wines in China.

Presented by Meiburg Wine Media, in conjunction with ProWine China and VinosVivo Wine Media, Skin-2-Skin: Orange Wine Symposium 2024 will feature a star-studded panel of Asian and international experts and winemakers, including keynote speaker and global authority on orange wine – Simon J Woolf, author of Amber Revolution: How the World Learned to Love Orange Wine and high-profile freelance wine and drinks writer Mike Bennie, a journalist and presenter based in Sydney, Australia.

Skin-2-Skin: Orange Wine Symposium 2024 comprises three in-depth panel discussions– Part 1: What the Heck is Orange Wine?: Roots & Revival; Part 2: Painting China Orange: Dining & Sales; and Part 3: Global Comparative Tasting. This robust program will enable VIP guests (top sommeliers, importers, media, educators and influencers) to not only understand, appreciate and taste the world’s top examples, but learn how to work with these wines on a very practical level – sales, marketing and directly with customers.

Master of Wine, Debra Meiburg, Founding Director Meiburg Wine Media and the Skin-2-Skin Symposium, said “Orange wines have been a strong trend globally for many years now, and gaining better appreciation in China. In the Chinese market, orange wine is uniquely poised to succeed and become much wider spread due to a special suitability it has in China – on the dining table. The temperature, flavour profile, texture and aromas are the perfect match for Chinese food lovers across a myriad of regional cuisines.

“Rooted in ancient Georgia (as the first wines ever made, 8000 years ago), this style is experiencing a Renaissance globally, part of which is seeing new styles, including elegant “fine” amber wines appearing from across the globe. It is truly the most exciting time for this category, and in fact, for stylistic evolution and development across the wine industry. I can’t wait to explore many of these fine examples in Shanghai in November.”

Winemakers from Georgia and more will be present to join the discussion, guide the tasting, share their experiences and discuss their various markets.

Date: 11 November, 2024 (Monday)

Time: 13:30-17:00

Venue: Shanghai

Attendees: Sommeliers, wine buyers, F&B Directors, importers, media, educators & opinion leaders (by invitation only).

Along with event partner ProWine China and VinosVivo Wine Media, supporting the Symposium are the National Wine Agency of Georgia.