7 Best Winter Wines
A glass of wine is perfect for cozying up by the fireplace or when you’re out to dinner with family or friends during the holiday season. But choosing the right wine can help to make the season even brighter. There are many types of wines that taste better in winter, so we put together this list of the best varieties to help you decide on the perfect bottle.
The Seven Best Wines to Enjoy This Winter
1: Cabernet Sauvignon
The best red wine for winter is cabernet sauvignon. This rich wine is very versatile, pairing excellently with a variety of steak cuts and other main dishes. Its dark, fruity flavors will make you feel warm and cozy in the cold weather months. Sometimes, Cabernet Sauvignon has a hint of cinnamon or mint, enhancing its bold winter flavor.
2: Chardonnay
If you prefer white wines, the best winter selection for you is a chardonnay. Oaked chardonnay is best in winter, because of the sweet, seasonal flavors of caramel and vanilla it gets from the oak barrels. Oaked chardonnay also has a buttery taste that pairs nicely with steak, crab, and lobster. Unoaked chardonnay, on the other hand, is still a pleasant choice if you prefer a dryer wine with strong apple and lemon flavors.
3: Malbec
Another ideal winter red is Malbec, which is bold, rich, and fruity like Cabernet Sauvignon. Malbecs pair well with steak, particularly top sirloin. This wine has wintery notes of plum and black cherry, along with a touch of chocolate. You can even add a little Malbec to hot chocolate for a unique and delicious holiday drink.
4: Riesling
Since Riesling is typically made in Germany, this white wine is no stranger to cold weather. Rieslings range from dry to sweet, and have natural apple, pear, peach, and apricot flavors. This wine pairs best with spicy meals that will warm you up on a cold winter day, like the Cajun seafood dishes on our menu.
5: Châteauneuf-du-Pape
There’s no shortage of rich reds that taste great in winter. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a bold French red with raspberry and plum flavors that pairs best with a juicy ribeye. This wine often has a higher alcohol content than other wines, so you’ll likely feel warmer after just one glass.
6: Zinfandel
You can never go wrong with a hint of spice in winter. Zinfandels have sweet hints of cinnamon and tobacco that add a bit of spice, along with notes of blackberry and stewed strawberry. This sweet, robust red goes well with steaks, grilled chicken, pork, and other meats.
7: Champagne
It’s a long-standing tradition to break out the champagne for celebrations. And with Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, weddings, and birthdays, there are many occasions to celebrate during the winter months.
Plus, champagne goes especially well with the foods you’ll find on a holiday table. For example, brut champagne pairs well with cheese and nuts, blanc de blanc is a good choice for mac and cheese or creamy soups, while rosé is extremely versatile and pairs particularly well with cured meats and spicy food.
Enjoy Dinner and a Glass of Winter Wine in Chandler
Whether it’s a date night or a holiday celebration with visiting friends and family, dinner with a glass of fine wine pairs perfectly with any occasion. At DC Steakhouse, we offer fresh, delicious steak and seafood dinners. You’ll also find a wide selection of the best winter wines on our menu. But reservations fill up fast around the holidays, so visit dcsteakhouse.com or call 480-899-4400 today to book a table.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/16/2022). Photo by Nicole Michalou on Pexels