News and Wine Blog
Warm up to Winter with Wine!
02/16/2023
It's cold, wet and snowy outside and I know may of us are dreaming of sunshine and warmer days. But since it is just the middle of February and we live in Nebraska, there are still a few weeks left of winter, which means chilly weather. The right wine can help to make winter nights more bearable. The best winter wines tend to be medium to full-bodied and complex to stand up to season's comfort foods and weather.
Don’t get me wrong: You can and absolutely should be drinking plenty of rosé and sparkling wines this time of year. These are some of my favorite wines, and I drink them year round! They’re perfect reminders that warm weather will return, and incredibly food-friendly as well. But there are times that all you really want is a full glass or two of big full bodied red or white wine.
What makes a great winter wine? Winter Wines have have a warming quality that will help to keep out the chill. For many, red wine is the obvious choice in the winter, but many of us love our whites too. Check out the following wines that are excellent to drink this time of year:
Cabernet Sauvignon: While it may not be surprising to see Cabernet Sauvignon on this list, this wine is popular for good reason! Cabernet Sauvignon is complex yet subtle and every vineyard’s Cab is unique, so find your favorite.
Nebbiolo: This wine is rich in tannins and high in acidity, making it the perfect partner for rich winter dishes. Some bottles of Nebbiolo are relatively pale compared to other reds, but don’t be fooled! Nebbiolo wines are complex and gripping.
If you enjoy bold red wines, Malbec should be on your list. With intense fruit notes of plum and black cherry, silky tannins, and a hint of chocolate, this rich red is perfect in the winter.
Jammy with notes of spice, Zinfandel is a great choice for any winter night. This medium-bodied red wine has notes of blackberry and stewed strawberry, plus hints of cinnamon and sweet tobacco leaves.
Fruit forward with notes of spice, Shiraz / Syrah is a nice alternative to typical varietals. With powerful dark fruit notes, spice and hints of savory black olive, this smooth red wine is perfect for cozy nights by the fire.
Great news, Chardonnay lovers – Now is the time to whip out a bottle of Oaked Chardonnay. Full-bodied and complex, Chardonnay is known for its ripe fruit notes of melon and pineapple.
If you like Chardonnay, you will like Viognier. Pronounced vee-own-YAY, this medium-bodied white wine is perfect for winter. Rich and creamy, Viognier is known for its ripe fruit notes of peach and apricot, plus a hint of ginger.
White blends are a great option too! These wines will have a blend of varietals and tend to be medium bodied, with lots of fruit notes to them. Perfect for pairing or just drinking by themselves.
Port - Madeira - Sherry: These are all types of type of fortified wines that warm the body in cold weather. A good fortified wine is the perfect alternative to whiskey for a winter nightcap.
On a day like today, put on your comfy clothes, sit in front of the fireplace and pour yourself a glass of wine! Need a recommendation, stop into Vino Mas, and we can help.
Raise your glass to warming up to Winter with Wine!
Don’t get me wrong: You can and absolutely should be drinking plenty of rosé and sparkling wines this time of year. These are some of my favorite wines, and I drink them year round! They’re perfect reminders that warm weather will return, and incredibly food-friendly as well. But there are times that all you really want is a full glass or two of big full bodied red or white wine.
What makes a great winter wine? Winter Wines have have a warming quality that will help to keep out the chill. For many, red wine is the obvious choice in the winter, but many of us love our whites too. Check out the following wines that are excellent to drink this time of year:
Cabernet Sauvignon: While it may not be surprising to see Cabernet Sauvignon on this list, this wine is popular for good reason! Cabernet Sauvignon is complex yet subtle and every vineyard’s Cab is unique, so find your favorite.
Nebbiolo: This wine is rich in tannins and high in acidity, making it the perfect partner for rich winter dishes. Some bottles of Nebbiolo are relatively pale compared to other reds, but don’t be fooled! Nebbiolo wines are complex and gripping.
If you enjoy bold red wines, Malbec should be on your list. With intense fruit notes of plum and black cherry, silky tannins, and a hint of chocolate, this rich red is perfect in the winter.
Jammy with notes of spice, Zinfandel is a great choice for any winter night. This medium-bodied red wine has notes of blackberry and stewed strawberry, plus hints of cinnamon and sweet tobacco leaves.
Fruit forward with notes of spice, Shiraz / Syrah is a nice alternative to typical varietals. With powerful dark fruit notes, spice and hints of savory black olive, this smooth red wine is perfect for cozy nights by the fire.
Great news, Chardonnay lovers – Now is the time to whip out a bottle of Oaked Chardonnay. Full-bodied and complex, Chardonnay is known for its ripe fruit notes of melon and pineapple.
If you like Chardonnay, you will like Viognier. Pronounced vee-own-YAY, this medium-bodied white wine is perfect for winter. Rich and creamy, Viognier is known for its ripe fruit notes of peach and apricot, plus a hint of ginger.
White blends are a great option too! These wines will have a blend of varietals and tend to be medium bodied, with lots of fruit notes to them. Perfect for pairing or just drinking by themselves.
Port - Madeira - Sherry: These are all types of type of fortified wines that warm the body in cold weather. A good fortified wine is the perfect alternative to whiskey for a winter nightcap.
On a day like today, put on your comfy clothes, sit in front of the fireplace and pour yourself a glass of wine! Need a recommendation, stop into Vino Mas, and we can help.
Raise your glass to warming up to Winter with Wine!
Post By:
Deanna Albertson