Heating on full blast – check. Your favourite winter sweater on – check. Lots of winter warming comfort food bubbling away in the kitchen – check. A selection of wines to make you glad it’s winter? Hmmm, that’s something that requires more thought.
There’s really nothing quite like enjoying a large glass of full-bodied loveliness in front of the fire in the shape of your favourite wine over the winter months but with such a vast choice, how can you make the right one?
There are so many quality wines to enjoy over winter that we would suggest you might be hard pushed to find one you don’t enjoy but, that said, there are wines that simply must be savoured over the chilly months.
For this time of year, it really is all about weight and texture. We simply cannot imagine sitting down to a light and crisp wine when it’s cold and windy outside.
You want something much more substantial at this time of year. Something that has layers and that warms you, not unlike the clothes you wear.
Another thing to remember is what you’re likely to be eating at this time of year too. Stews and potatoes and lots of rich food are likely to be on the menu if you’re anything like us so you can’t go far wrong with a big dense red, or even something that makes you feel a little festive.
If you’re a sucker for a Shiraz (and why wouldn’t you be?), a fantastic red wine for this time of year is the Dandelion Vineyards Shiraz. This triumph of a winter wine oozes ripe cherries, spices and even Christmas pudding flavours. Incredibly drinkable, there’s not many reds out there that seem to feel so right to drink in winter.
Staying with the reds, perhaps you want something a little softer than a Shiraz. Why not try one of the many wonderful Merlot offerings around just now?
Okay, so you probably won’t get those big Christmas hits full of nutmeg, and winterberries and the like, but Merlot is a winter variety that should be there on merit.
Looking for a long, smooth finish and smoky tones with your winter warmer? Try Montes Alpha Merlot.
It’s a, perhaps, surprisingly full-bodied wine that makes a fine companion on a windy winter evening. This Chilean beauty has plenty black pepper and berry notes with a little hint of tobacco in just the right measure.
Throw in some subtle vanilla and you have a beautifully complex wine that is begging to be shared with good friends.
Could we write about reds without mentioning our old friend Cabernet Sauvignon? Of course not!
A bubbling beef or venison stew wouldn’t be the same without a good Sauv to keep it company, but which one? There are so many great ones!
We suggest Casa Silva Gran Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Earthy, smoky and delicious, the deep and dark fruits that come through on this wine make it a great choice for big, rich dishes.
No winter wine list would be complete without a Pinot Noir and we have one that not only warms the cockles of your heart, it’ll make you wish it was the festive season forever… maybe.
A good Pinot Noir should be rich and intense and Boisset Bourgogne is exactly that. It offers lots of juicy red fruits and lots of spices to get you in the festive cheer. Dare we suggest there’s even a little nutmeg in there?
Winter wines automatically make most of us see red but that’s a little shortsighted. There can be no doubt that those delicious big reds are hard to beat when the mercury drops, but don’t believe they are the only options.
A good Riesling can be a great wine to enjoy throughout winter and if you are a fan of what Australia has to offer, you’ll love the Logan Weemala Riesling. There’s an explosion of fruit in this exciting wine and it offers just enough acidity to stand up to those rich winter dishes you’re enjoying.
This particular Riesling might be a surprise entry in a winter wine list, but give it a try and you will be pleasantly surprised, we’re sure.
