Six Best Wines for Winter

When the cold weather and darker days approach, our palates begin to crave warm, full-bodied flavors. As we transition from summer recipes to comforting warm dishes, it's also time to change our wine selections to bottles that complement the winter flavors of our food. While pinot noir is a great go-to, the seasonal change provides an opportunity to try new wines that pair with winter dishes. 

Six of the Best Winter Wines

1. Chardonnay

With the holidays approaching, it's the perfect time to open a bottle of oaked Chardonnay. Chardonnay is full-bodied and rich, with ripe fruit aromas of melon and pineapple. Chardonnay pairs well with baked halibut, creamy pasta, and scallops this time of year.

2. Cabernet Sauvignon

Full-bodied red wines are in season, and Cabernet Sauvignon is popular. Cabernet, with its dark fruit flavors, mouth-hugging tannins, and a hint of cinnamon, goes well with Christmas dinners and movie nights. Cabernet Sauvignon complements short ribs, portobello mushrooms, and lentil soup well.

3. Riesling

When it comes to winter wines, nothing beats a wine from a cool-climate region like Germany. Riesling is well-known for its bright citrus and tart green apple flavors. This light-bodied white wine, which ranges from bone-dry to sweet, goes nicely with winter staples like sausage, mashed potatoes, and spicy curries.

4. Zinfandel

Zinfandel is a great choice for any winter party since it is jammy with spicy overtones. This medium-bodied red wine contains traces of cinnamon and sweet tobacco leaves, as well as aromas of blackberry and stewed strawberry. This classic red wine goes well with barbecue, beef barley soup, turkey, ham, and lasagna.

5. Malbec

If you enjoy bold red wines like Cabernet, Malbec should be next on your list to bring to a holiday party. This rich red is ideal for the winter, with powerful fruit flavors of plum and black cherry, silky tannins, and a trace of chocolate. 

It has a stronger savory presence mixed with grippier tannins and higher acidity. Malbec pairs nicely with grilled steak and chimichurri, as well as grilled salmon and roasted root vegetables.

6. Champagne

Winter is the festive season with celebrations, and what could be more festive than a glass of Champagne? Apart from being celebratory, champagne also pairs well with almost any food because of its high acidity, which acts as a palate cleanser. Champagne pairs well with charcuterie, oysters, and fried foods.

If you want to learn more about wines, Metro Wines is an Asheville specialty wine shop that offers a great total wine experience, excellent services, and wine tastings. We have a wide selection of wines focusing on pairing just the right wine with any dish or event. Contact us for more information, and visit our location.