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Winter-Friendly wines for cold evenings and comfort food
Discover winter-friendly wines with depth and warmth. Bold reds, rich whites, sparkling and sweet wines perfect for cold evenings and hearty food.
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Winter wines stand apart from the rest of the year. As the weather turns cold, our food becomes richer and more comforting, and lighter, refreshing wines no longer feel enough.
In winter, we naturally tend toward wines with more body, structure, and warmth, to wines that can hold their own alongside slow-cooked dishes and hearty flavors.
These wines often show riper fruit, deeper spice, and a stronger influence of oak, creating layers that unfold slowly in the glass. Winter wines are great for long evenings, festive tables, and moments when a single glass is good enough.
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What makes a wine perfect for Winter?
✅ Full body and higher alcohol add warmth and a lingering finish, perfect for cold evenings.
✅ Ripe fruit, spices, and oak for depth and richness
✅ Firm structure that can stand up to slow-cooked, hearty dishes and bold flavors
✅ Comfort factor: wines made for long evenings and relaxed dinners, not quick sips
Now, let’s explore the best options for your winter wine lineup, including both classic and unexpected picks to enjoy this season.
White Wines
Rich, textured, and comforting, winter white wines lean toward fuller bodies, subtle oak, and layered flavors that pair well with creamy dishes and roasted vegetables.
White Burgundy
(France)
Elegant yet powerful, combining minerality with creamy texture and subtle oak. These wines gain depth and complexity that shine in colder months.
🍐 🌰 🍞
Flavors: Pear, almond, brioche, citrus peel, stone
📍Best regions: Côte de Beaune (Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet)
🍴Pair with: Lobster, poultry, truffle dishes
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Viognier (full-bodied styles)
(France, USA)
Aromatic and rich, with an oily texture and notes of ripe stone fruit and spice. Viognier brings warmth and perfume to winter tables.
🍑 🌸 🌶️
Flavors: Apricot, peach, orange blossom, spice
📍Best regions: Condrieu, Paso Robles
🍴Pair with: Roasted squash, spiced dishes, creamy curries, roast chicken with cream sauce
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Semillon (aged styles)
(France, Australia)
Waxy and textured, with honeyed notes, toast, and nutty depth. With age, Semillon becomes a quiet but deeply satisfying winter white.
🍋 🍯 🌰
Flavors: Lemon curd, beeswax, honey, toasted nuts
📍Best regions: Bordeaux, Hunter Valley
🍴Pair with: Roast chicken, seafood stews, creamy vegetables
White Burgundy Notes of pear, lemon zest, white flowers, and a subtle nutty tone. The palate is elegant and precise, showing restrained richness, fresh acidity, and a long, saline finish. Why it’s special: 100% Chardonnay - a classic, lifted style of Meursault |
Viognier Notes of ripe peach, apricot, white flowers, and a touch of spice. The palate is silky and expressive, showing richness balanced by freshness and a long, elegant finish. Why it’s special: One of Condrieu’s most respected small producers. |
Semillon Notes of lime zest, green apple, and subtle herbal tones. The palate is light and linear, driven by vibrant acidity and a long, dry, mineral finish. Why it’s special: Brokenwood is one of the region’s benchmarks, producing wines that can age for decades. |
Red wines
Winter reds are deeper, bolder, and more structured. These wines are made for hearty meals, slow cooking, and long evenings when a lighter style just isn’t enough.
Amarone della Valpolicella
(Italy)
Rich, powerful, and deeply warming, with intense notes of dried cherry, fig, cocoa, and sweet spices. Full-bodied and high in alcohol.
🍒 🍫 🌰
Flavors: Dried cherry, fig, dark chocolate, cinnamon, tobacco.
📍Best regions: Valpolicella
🍴Pair with: Braised beef, venison, aged cheeses.
-
Cabernet Sauvignon
(France, USA)
Structured and bold, with dark fruit, firm tannins, and oak-driven depth. Cabernet Sauvignon shines in winter when paired with rich, protein-heavy dishes.
🍇 🌲 🍫
Flavors: Blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, graphite, cocoa
📍Best regions: Bordeaux (Left Bank), Napa Valley.
🍴Pair with: Steak, lamb, roasted meats.
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Malbec
(Argentina)
Plush and comforting, with ripe dark fruit and soft tannins. Malbec’s richness and subtle sweetness make it an easy winter favorite.
🍇 🍫 🌸
Flavors: Blackberry, plum, chocolate, violet, spice.
📍Best regions: Mendoza
🍴Pair with: Short ribs, grilled meats, mushroom dishes.
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Zinfandel / Primitivo
(USA, Italy)
Bold and warming, with ripe fruit and baking spices. High alcohol and generous body make it especially comforting in cold weather.
🍓 🍇 🌶️
Flavors: Blackberry jam, raspberry, cinnamon, black pepper, vanilla.
📍Best regions: California (Sonoma, Lodi), Puglia
🍴Pair with: BBQ, ribs, hearty casseroles.
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Aglianico
(Italy)
Intense and structured, with firm tannins and savory depth. This is a serious winter wine that benefits from rich food and slow sipping.
🍒 🌰 🌿
Flavors: Sour cherry, leather, dried herbs, smoke, spice.
📍 Best regions: Taurasi, Aglianico del Vulture.
🍴Pair with: Slow-cooked meats, stews, rich sauces.
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Tempranillo (Reserva / Gran Reserva)
(Spain)
Structured and warming, with ripe fruit balanced by oak and spice. Tempranillo is a natural choice for winter meals and long dinners.
🍒🌱 🌰 🌿
Flavors: Red cherry, dried plum, vanilla, leather, sweet spice.
📍 Best regions: Rioja, Ribera del Duero
🍴Pair with: Roast lamb, beef stews, aged Manchego
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Barolo
(Italy)
Powerful and complex, with firm tannins and layered aromas. Barolo is perfectly suited to cold evenings and serious food.
🌹 🍒 🌰
Flavors: Sour cherry, dried rose, tar, truffle, spice
📍 Best regions: Piedmont
🍴Pair with: Braised meats, truffle dishes, aged cheeses
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Bordeaux Blend
(France)
Structured and elegant, with dark fruit, firm tannins, and classic oak-driven notes. With age, Bordeaux blends gain savory complexity that makes them especially satisfying in winter.
🍇 🌲 🍂
Flavors: Blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, tobacco, leather
📍 Best regions: Médoc, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Julien
🍴Pair with: Roast beef, lamb, mushroom-based dishes
Amarone Della Valpolicella Notes of dried cherry, fig, cocoa, and sweet spice. The palate is full-bodied and smooth, showing layered dark fruit, chocolate, and a touch of espresso with a long, balanced finish. Why it’s special: A classic Amarone made using the traditional appassimento method. |
Cabernet Sauvignon Notes of black cherry, cassis, and subtle oak spice. The palate is structured yet smooth, showing ripe dark fruit, fine tannins, and a long, balanced finish. Why it’s special: A single-vineyard cabernet sauvignon highlighting elegant Napa style |
Zinfandel Notes of blackberry, raspberry compote, black pepper, and warm spice. The palate is rich yet balanced, showing concentrated dark fruit, firm but polished tannins, and a long, savory finish. Why it’s special: From Carlisle’s own old-vine estate vineyard |
Malbec Notes of blackberry, plum, violet, and a touch of spice. The palate is smooth and well-balanced, showing ripe dark fruit, fresh acidity, and soft tannins. Why it’s special: A benchmark Malbec, crafted from high-altitude vineyards |
Bordeaux Notes of blackcurrant, plum, cedar, and subtle tobacco. The palate is refined and balanced, showing ripe dark fruit, polished tannins, and a long, savory finish. Why it’s special: A Third Growth from Haut-Médoc is known for its ability to age gracefully while remaining approachable. |
Sparkling Wines
In winter, sparkling wines become more complex and expressive. Think richer styles with depth and structure, perfect for festive tables and celebratory moments.
Champagne (Vintage or Blanc de Noirs)
(France)
Complex and structured, with toasty notes and depth that go beyond aperitif drinking. Perfect for winter celebrations and festive meals.
🍞 🍏 🌰
Flavors: Baked apple, brioche, almond, citrus zest
📍Best regions: Champagne
🍴Pair with: Fried foods, caviar, holiday dishes
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Franciacorta
(Italy)
Creamy and elegant, with fine bubbles and a rich texture that feels especially luxurious in winter.
🍐 🥐 🌰
Flavors: Pear, brioche, hazelnut, citrus peel
📍Best regions: Lombardy
🍴Pair with: Poultry, cheese, festive menus
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Sparkling Shiraz
(Australia)
Dark and bold with fine bubbles and deep red-fruit intensity. Sparkling Shiraz combines richness with freshness, making it a perfect winter alternative to traditional sparkling wines.
🍒 🍇 🌶️
Flavors: Black cherry, blackberry, plum, black pepper, spice
📍Best regions: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale
🍴Pair with: Roast meats, glazed ham, barbecue, festive winter dishes
Champagne Notes of red apple, pear skin, toasted brioche, and a hint of spice. The palate is dry and focused, showing depth, fine mousse, and a long, savory finish. Why it’s special: A Premier Cru Blanc de Noirs made entirely from pinot noir. |
Franciacorta Notes of green apple, pear, citrus zest, and a light brioche touch. The palate is crisp, with fine bubbles and a clean, elegant finish. Why it’s special: A classic Franciacorta made by the region’s founding house |
Sparkling Shiraz Notes of blackberry, plum, dark cherry, and a touch of spice. The palate is rich, combining ripe dark fruit, soft bubbles, and a smooth, gently sweet finish. |
Sweet Wines
In winter, sweet wines become richer and more indulgent. These are wines meant to be sipped slowly, often on their own or with simple desserts, bringing warmth, depth, and a sense of occasion to cold evenings.
Ice Wine
(Germany, Canada)
Concentrated and intensely sweet, lifted by vibrant acidity. Ice Wine is a true winter classic, made for cold nights and special moments.
🍑 🍯 ❄️
Flavors: Peach, honey, lychee, citrus zest.
📍Best regions: Niagara Peninsula, Mosel
🍴Pair with: Cheesecake, fruit desserts, enjoyed on its own
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Vin Santo
(Italy)
Nutty and caramelized, with oxidative notes that feel especially comforting in winter.
🍊🍯 🌰
Flavors: Caramel, almond, dried fig, orange peel.
📍Best regions: Tuscany
🍴Pair with: Biscotti, almond cakes
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Port
(Portugal)
Deep, warming, and indulgent, with rich dark fruit and spice. A perfect end to a winter meal.
🍒 🍫 🌰
Flavors: Black cherry, chocolate, dried fruit, spice
📍Best regions: Douro Valley
🍴Pair with: Chocolate desserts, blue cheese
Ice Wine Lusciously sweet and vibrant, with notes of lime zest, apricot, honey, and tropical fruit. The palate is intense, balanced by high acidity and a long, refreshing finish. Why it’s special: Made from naturally frozen riesling grapes |
Vin Santo Complex, with notes of dried apricot, fig, toasted almond, honey, and caramel. The palate is rich, showing layered sweetness balanced by freshness and a long, nutty finish. Why it’s special: A traditional Vin Santo made from dried grapes and aged slowly in small caratelli. |
Port Notes of black cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate, and sweet spice. The palate is full-bodied and smooth, showing ripe dark fruit, firm structure, and a long, warming finish. Why it’s special: A Late Bottled Vintage Port aged longer in barrel before release |
Winter wines are defined by depth, warmth, and structure. From bold winter red wines like Barolo, Bordeaux blends, and Amarone to comforting whites and sparkling , this season is about wines that bring richness to the table.
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