Winter is setting in, and with the cold days limiting what you can do outside, you may be thinking more about how you can have fun inside. Whether you enjoy a glass or two of wine with dinner, or you love to entertain, we have a list of the 10 best wines to get you through winter. From chardonnay to cabernet, you can’t go wrong with these classic choices.
So grab a cozy blanket, light the fire, and keep reading!
1. Chardonnay
Stock your wine cabinet with an oaked Chardonnay this winter to enjoy its full-bodied and complex flavors. Well known for its ripe fruit notes of pineapple and melon, Chardonnay pairs well with creamy pastas, baked halibut, and corn chowder. Chardonnay has a structure and roundness that provides a rich mouthfeel, making it the perfect choice for winter consumption. Go with an oaked and aged chardonnay for more concentrated flavor.
2. Cabernet Sauvignon
Full-bodied red wines are always a treat in winter, which makes Cabernet Sauvignon a classic choice. Featuring dark fruit flavors, tasty tannins, and hints of cinnamon, Cabernet pairs well with short ribs, lentil soup, and Portobello mushrooms. Cabernet is particularly good in winter because it partners so well with classic cold-weather meals. Why? It doesn’t get lost in the savory flavors of your food, making it a prolific part of your winter wine collection.
3. Malbec
If you’re a fan of bold red wines such as Cabernet, then you will really love Malbec with its robust fruit notes of black cherry and plum. Featuring a hint of chocolate, Malbec pairs well with meals of grilled steak and roasted root vegetables.
4. Roussanne
This is a medium-bodied white wine that is blended with Viognier originating in the Rhône Valley region of France. But it’s just lovely on its own as well, featuring warm notes of brioche and apricot. Offset by a hint of herbal tea, Roussanne pairs well with creamy polenta, shellfish, and roast pork.
5. Riesling
This wine hails from the cool-climate regions of Germany, revered for its notes of tart green apples and bright citrus. This light-bodied white wine will pair well with sausage, spicy curries, and mashed potatoes.
6. Shiraz
Pick up a bottle or two of a bold Shiraz to enjoy throughout winter, featuring dark fruit notes and just a hint of savory black olive. This is a smooth red wine that pairs well with barbecue meats, sauteed mushrooms, and herb-roasted potatoes.
7. Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo grapes from Italy make for a tasty bold red wine, with intense fruit flavors, bright acidity, and hints of spice and licorice. This medium-bodied red pairs with all Italian dishes, as well as prime rib and butternut squash ravioli.
8. Pinot Noir
This classic choice is popular for a reason. It pleases many palates, whether you’re a wine enthusiast or not. It’s grown in France as well as select cooler climates such as New Zealand, Chile, and Switzerland. Featuring notes of mushroom and berries, pinot is a dry wine variety with fruity notes and high acidity. Best served straight from the bottle, pinot pairs well with game meats, such as goose or duck, as well as a nice charcuterie board.
9. Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is a sweet, seasonally-spiced wine that has been around since the time of the Romans. Warmed mulled wine typically has a brilliant red coloring, but they can also be white wines or even blueberry wines. Adorn your glass with cinnamon sticks and a touch of maple syrup to transform it into a hearty mug of winter greetings.
10. Rosé
You may not think of rosé as a wintertime wine, but this blush-pink wine can and should be enjoyed all year long. Add a bit of sparkle to those long cold nights with a refreshing glass of rosé, which pairs well with cheeses and cured meats, bruschetta, or even a creamy pasta with prosciutto and asparagus. If you’d like to go a bit deeper than summer’s lighter rosé wines, try a fuller bodied version that’s darker in hue with notes of perfumed rose, black currants, and lilac, which pairs well with any smoked meat.
Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery Has the Best Wines For Winter!
We welcome you to come visit our winery in Grand Rapid today, where you will find more than 20 Michigan-made wines to sample in the winery. Best part is, no reservations are needed for our tasting room. Come check out our tasty fruit wines, including Cranberry, Apple, Blueberry and two of our most popular wines, Passionate Peach Spumante and Chocolate – not to mention our homemade mulled wine. To learn more, call us at (800) 400-8100.