Winter is just around the corner. As you plan for the holidays, wine makes a lovely addition for holiday get togethers. But which wines do you bring? Which wines complement popular holiday meals?
This blog explores the best wines for winter, so you can have the perfect toast for all your holiday gatherings.
Know the Rule of Complement vs. Contrast
Do you want your wine to match the overall flavor profile of your meals, or do you want a wine with the opposite flavors? Knowing the rule of complementing versus contrasting your wine with your meals will help you select your winter wines. Here’s what complement and contrast mean in reference to wines:
- Complement: matching wine to the flavor profile of what you’ll be serving. For example, a full-bodied red wine with red meat.
- Contrast: selecting wine with opposite flavors to what you’ll eat. For example, a sweeter, fruit-based wine to go with a spicy meal.
Fruit Wines for Frigid Days
Fruit wines use fruit as their base, unlike traditional grape wines. Any fruit that can undergo fermentation can produce fruit wine. Some examples of fruit wine include peach, apple, raspberry, banana wine, and more.
For the wintertime, look for fruit wines that either complement or contrast with your holiday meals. Here are some ideas for fruit wines to try during winter:
Cranberry Wine: a tart tasting wine that complements cranberry dishes, comfort food like mashed potatoes, and heartier fare, such as roast turkey and green bean casserole.
Sangria: blood orange, cherries, and lime mixed with red wine present an exuberant beverage that’s perfect for traditional holiday meals, like Thanksgiving turkey and Christmas casseroles.
Honey Wine: traditionally known as mead, honey wine can be served warm, making a perfectly cozy toast for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Best paired with stuffing and roast turkey.
Red Wines for Warmth
During wintertime, folks often want comfort food. These dishes warm the belly and, as some like to say, soothe the soul during the coldest season of the year.
The same applies to wine in the winter: you’re likely wanting a warm, rich drink, and red wine is a perfect choice. During the fermentation process for red wines, grape skins and grape seeds are left in, providing red wines’ distinct color. Red wines are categorized into the following: light red wine, medium red wine, dark red wine, young red wine, and old red wine. A general rule of thumb is the darker the wine, the more tannins, or drying sensation, present in the wine. A naturally occurring compound, tannins provide that distinct astringent taste in wines. Here are several red wines for winter:
Cabernet Sauvignon: a full-bodied, dry red wine, “cab” pairs perfectly with red meats and burgers.
Grenache: with a higher alcohol content, grenache provides a warming effect with a vibrant taste. Grenache pairs well with roasted meats and hearty stews.
Merlot: one of the most beloved red wines, Merlot features a medium to full-bodied flavor profile with a smooth taste. Pair a glass of Merlot with red meat, lamb, or shepherd’s pie.
Zinfandel: bold, fruitier tasting Zinfandel features notes of plum, cherry, and blackberry. Serve with steaks, cheese dishes, or rich pastas.
Crisp White Wines for Winter
During white wines’ fermentation process, grape stems and skins are removed, resulting white wines lighter colors. White wines typically present a lighter, more crisp flavor profile with less tannins, when compared to red wines. White wines also have lower alcohol content than red wines.
Chardonnay: a refreshing and crisp wine that complements flaky, mild fish, such as halibut.
Viognier: pronounced “vee-own-yay,” this bright and crisp wine has a warm flavor that pairs well with roasted chicken and fondue dishes.
Pinot Blanc: with notes of apple, citrus, and pear, this wine complements seafood dishes, white meats, and soft cheeses.
Holiday Hosting Tip: Hold A Wine Tasting
Rather than serving one type of wine, feature several different wines and have friends sip n’ swirl a sample of each. Compare the differences between red wines, white wines, and fruit wines. You can also have each guest provide a bottle of wine, for more variety. You can even consider a blind wine tasting party, where each guest must sip and guess the kind of wine they are sampling. Get creative, and you can create a new holiday tradition with your loved ones.
This article was written by Leah Campbell for Third Loft Marketing.
