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Heating on full blast – check. Your favourite winter sweater on – check. Lots of 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 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?
For this time of year, it’s all about weight and texture. It’s hard to 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 with 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, potatoes and lots of rich food are likely to be on the menu if you’re anything like me, 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 Aussie Climbing Shiraz. This triumph of a winter wine oozes ripe cherries, spices and even Christmas pudding flavours. Incredibly drinkable, there aren’t many reds that feel so right to drink in winter.
Staying with reds, perhaps you want something a little softer than a Shiraz. Why not try one of the many wonderful Merlot offerings around?
Okay, you probably won’t get those big hits full of nutmeg, winterberries and the like, but Merlot is a winter variety that should be there on merit.
Looking for a long, smooth finish and smokey tones with your winter warmer? Try the Irvine Spring Hill Estate, a moreish Merlot marvel! It’s a surprisingly full-bodied wine that makes a fine companion on a windy winter evening. This Aussie beauty has plenty of plum and mulberry notes with a hint of spice in just the right measure. Throw in some subtle vanilla and you have a beautifully complex wine just begging to be shared with good friends.
Could we write about reds without mentioning our old friend Cabernet Sauvignon? Of course not!
A 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 Spier Million Trees Cabernet Sauvignon, an earthy, smoky and delicious South African. The deep, 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 Villa Blanche is exactly that. This stunner from the South of France offers lots of juicy red fruits and lots of spices. Dare we suggest there’s even a little mint 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 - why not try the Cave de Beblenheim Kleinfels Riesling from the adorable French Alsace region? 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.
Jason Mules
Waitrose Okehampton