Vin d’Orange

Name: Vin d’Orange (Fortified Orange Wine)
Cuisine: France
Ingredients: 10 oz/280 g granulated sugar (approx.); 5 large oranges, quartered; 2 ¾ pt/1½ litres côtes du rhône red wine (no stronger than 11.5° or 12° alcohol); ½ pt/284 ml pure fruit alcohol/eau de vie (if available) or polish pure spirits (100°/120°proof) from off-licences/liquor stores; 1 vanilla pod; ½ tsp/2.5 ml grated nutmeg; 1 lemon, cut in ½ in/1 cm slices

Fortified Orange Wine

Preparation info

Difficulty
Medium

Appears in

A Table in Provence

By Leslie Forbes

Published 1987

About

Vin d’orange is served, as are most sweet wines in Provence, as an aperitif. It is also a traditional Christmas and New Year’s treat. (This recipe should make approximately 4-5 bottles of wine, depending on the juiciness of the oranges used. The quantity can be halved, although it is worthwhile making enough to age.)

Ingredients

2 ¾ pt/1½ litres côtes du rhône red wine (no stronger than 11.5° or 12° alcohol)
5 large oranges, quartered<

Method

Put lemon, oranges, nutmeg and vanilla pod, into a large glass container with the red wine. Cork tightly and leave for 40 days. Filter through gauze or muslin and add 100g sugar per 1¾ pt/l litre of liquid. Let sugar dissolve and then add the pure fruit alcohol. Seal t