Wines for Winter
One of the silver linings that comes with autumn passing and the chill of winter settling in is that it’s my favourite season to drink wine. A lot of people feel this way about winter and red wine, and while that’s definitely part of it for me, there are some other gems to be enjoyed this time of year. Here are my top picks:
Many red wines are well-suited for winter drinking, but there are some whites (and the occasional digestif) that are also a great fit
Shiraz
I’ve always got some of my favourite Aussie Shiraz on hand through the winter months. Styles that are dry and full-bodied with medium tannins are ideal. They are well suited to warm, winter meals, but also still fruity enough that they are enjoyable on their own.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon, with dark fruits and a good amount of weight, is ideal for winter sipping. French styles tend to be quite dry – Bordeaux Cab Savs boast earthiness, even leather, in addition to those dark fruits and florals. These are ideal for rich stews and roasts (essentially what I eat all winter long!). Old World styles are a little bit leaner than New World, which will be more full-bodied and fruity. Both are good this time of year, but my preference usually swings Old World.
Sangiovese
The highly acidic and tannic Sangiovese almost demands to be consumed in the cooler months – ideally on the couch in your pajamas and with a bowl of pasta. The varietal can sometimes be quite harsh, but a good bottle of Chianti walks the like between rough and rustic, just where I like it this time of year.
A glass of Chianti (Sangiovese) and a warm bowl of pasta are the perfect match for winter weather
Viognier
Wines like Chardonnay and Viognier – the latter of which I’ve been loving lately – that have spent some time in oak are ideal whites for winter weather. Rich, buttery notes of caramel and vanilla are warming and perfectly-suited for cooler weather. A nice, oaky Viognier is also a wonderful complement to those hearty winter soups and salads.
Amaro
Okay, not a table wine, but the Italian digestif made from distilling wine or neutral spirits is perfect for cold weather. One sip of this stuff and you’ll see why it has winter written all over it. Though styles range widely, they are all rich in herbs, spices and botanicals – orange, anise, fennel, cinnamon, pine, juniper… If you haven’t tried Amaro yet, this winter is the time to do so! To dig deeper, check out our full article on Amaro.
Read our article about why winter is also the best time of year for a wine tour.
For more interesting wine stuff, follow us on:
- Best Wine With Steak: Pairings for Every Cut, Sauce, and Cooking Method - August 15, 2026
- The Best Way to Do a Yarra Valley Wine Day Trip from Melbourne - August 11, 2026
- Why Your Sense of Smell Is Essential for Enjoying Wine - August 1, 2026
Hey Jill, what about the glorious fortified wines of Rutherglen? I can think of no better wines for winter – sipping a Morris Tokay in front of a fire while nibbling on dark chocolate, raisins and walnuts.
Love your work, only just found you
By choosing our services, you no longer have to endure sleepless nights rushing through assignments or worry about difficult courses impacting your grades. We guarantee 100% satisfaction for each client, ensuring timely completion of coursework with excellent results. Our service is not only professional and reliable but also provides stringent privacy protection to ensure your personal information and academic data remain confidential.
Getting ready for winter isn’t just about cozying up with a warm drink—it’s also important to make sure your home stays comfortable all season. One key step is to prepare HVAC for winter by inspecting your system, changing filters, and scheduling any necessary maintenance or upgrades. A well-maintained HVAC system runs more efficiently, keeps your home warm during cold snaps, and can even lower energy bills, letting you focus on enjoying the season rather than worrying about unexpected breakdowns.
Αν θέλεις να νιώσεις τον παλμό του παιχνιδιού από την άνεση του σπιτιού σου, τότε ξέρεις πού να πας απόψε. Τσέκαρα το wazamba casino και η ποικιλία των τίτλων που είναι διαθέσιμοι στην Ελλάδα καλύπτει κάθε γούστο και προτίμηση. Μια ξαφνική έμπνευση με οδήγησε σε ένα σερί επιτυχιών που ανέβασε το ταμείο μου στα ύψη μέσα σε λίγη ώρα. Είναι η ιδανική εναλλακτική για όποιον αναζητά σοβαρότητα, ποιότητα και μεγάλες αποδόσεις σε κάθε του ποντάρισμα.
The Sonic Wave level in Geometry Dash was originally created by Cyclic (and later officially verified by Sunix in 2016). Part of the Nine Circles series (levels inspired by the signature neon flashing effects combined with the extremely difficult Wave gameplay), Sonic Wave pushes the game’s difficulty to a whole new level.
I always thought winter was just about red wine, but the suggestion of oaked white wines was a pleasant surprise. I’ll definitely give that a ragdoll playground try.