6 Best Wines for Winter

by Kevin Smith Author

After you drive home in the frigid snow and shrug off your heavy coat, nothing tastes better than a warming, hearty meal... and a warming, hearty wine to go with it. These 6 wines you can get at your closest liquor store in Braselton pair well with classic seasonal meals and provide extra warmth and boldness to cheer you up during the long winter.

1. Familie Nigl Grüner Veltliner

This Austrian white wine is brisk and refreshing with strong acidity. Its notes of citrus and spices may make it seem more suitable for summer. However, its distinct aroma of white pepper adds a savory and warm touch for winter. Try this wine with Indian cuisine and other zesty dishes.

2. Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Le Coste

Full-bodied, dense, and powerful, this Italian red wine suits anyone tough enough to work or play sports in freezing weather. This wine features strong fruity aroma and taste with notes of black cherry. Distinguished tannin rounds out this hearty wine that matches well with hearty stews.

3. Robert Moncuit Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne

This bright and lively French champagne is a refreshing start to any meal. Its taste is tart with strong tones of lemon and other fruits, along with a distinct bread dough flavor. The champagne's high acidity cleanses the palette while remaining well-balanced. This 100% Chardonnay wine shines at the beginning of a meal and pairs well with sushi and most appetizers. And of course, it also pairs well with holiday parties and Valentine's Day celebrations.

4. Terra d'Oro Amador County Zinfandel

This red wine from California has a silky, luxurious feel, like curling up in front of the fireplace with a velvety blanket. It's rich, vibrant, and full of varied flavors. Aromas include deep blackberry and raspberry. Its 14.5% alcohol content will warm you up on the coldest evenings. Herb-encrusted pork chops and pasta with tomato based sauces taste delicious with this wine.

5. Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz

This sophisticated red wine comes from Australia. Its aroma and flavor contain hints of rich, sweet foods like plums and dark chocolate. The fine tannin structure, oak notes, and hint of curry spice balance out the sweetness. This savory and full-bodied wine pairs best with hearty meats like steak and lamb.

6. Zind-Humbrecht’s Pinot Gris

This French white wine works well if you prefer a lighter wine. Its nutty, fruity, and floral aroma evokes pleasant images of the spring to come. This wine starts sweet like honey and ends very dry, fresh, and crisp. Don't be fooled by the refreshing taste and aroma, though: its 15.8% alcohol content gives this Pinot Gris its place among the warming and cheering winter wines. Try this wine with dense meals like foie gras, pork loin, and schnitzel.

These are just a few out of many great wines to try this winter. To taste one of these wines for yourself or learn about other hearty varieties, start at the closest liquor store in Braselton.