Winter is the perfect season to relax beside the fire with a cozy blanket and a glass of wine. As you may know, winter brings with it hearty meals that are not only comforting but flavoursome. Below, we look at the best winter wine pairing for starter, entreé, and dessert dishes.

The Basic Rules of Winter Food and Wine Pairing

Yes, white wines and rosés still have their place in winter. Yet, the colder months are famously associated with medium to full-bodied red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah while enjoying comforting stews, braised meats, and roasted vegetables during the cold months.

Transitioning away from the fresh, crisp aromas of warmer weather requires a different approach to food and wine pairing. Keep the following wine pairing principles in mind: body, alcohol, tannin levels, flavours, acidity, and sweetness levels.

When it comes to winter wine pairing, we recommend pairing like with like, e.g. rich foods with the full body wines. If you have a delicate starter then you should avoid pairing this with a robust red. Instead, a light-bodied wine would be better suited.

Sweetness and acidity are also important. Make sure to consider how acidic your dish is going to be. For example, tomato-based sauces can tend to be more on the acidic side. A wine that has an equal amount of acidity should be served with this dish. For example, a tomato-based pasta dish would pair nicely with a high acid Sangiovese. This ensures each component balances the other out.

Consider winter food and wine flavours. As winter meals can be robust in taste themselves, it is best to continue with the principle of complementing flavours. If you are serving a hearty meaty stew, choose a wine pairing that has hearty notes such as rich black fruit and smoke and leather.

Best Wines for Winter Dishes

With that in mind, let’s explore the best wines for various winter dishes that you can enjoy this season. Below, we’ll take a look at winter wine pairing options you can try for starters, mains, and dessert. 

Starters

For starters, why not choose a classic artisan cheese and vegetable platter. The mixture of tangy cheese and earthy vegetables would pair well with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. This white wine displays citrus and mineral notes meaning it complements goat’s cheese or Brie.

Another winter wine pairing option is a light-bodied Pinot Noir with a butternut squash ravioli or a mushroom risotto. The earthiness of the wine matches the earthiness of the dish – easily enjoyed by all wine enthusiasts. 

Entreé

Hearty stews are an iconic dish on every table during the winter months. A comforting stew is best paired with a versatile Merlot – regardless of whether it’s made with lamb or beef. This versatile, mellow wine offers a soft finish and easy tannins. Its red fruit flavours blend seamlessly with many winter dishes. 

For a vegetarian option such as a savoury potato pie with nutmeg and thyme, consider pairing it with a Cote du Rhone. The roundness of this wine and its balanced acidity will elevate this main winter dish. 

Dessert

No winter wine pairing is complete with some delectable desserts. If you are a particular fan of dark chocolate, we recommend serving a chocolate lava cake with a new world Cabernet Sauvignon. The dark-berry fruit flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon along with its velvety texture are ideal for chocolate desserts. 

Alternatively, you might consider serving a warm apple pie with a Sauternes. This winter wine pairing matches sweetness with acidity. The acidity and sweetness of the apples match perfectly with the acidity of the Sauternes. 

Celebrating The Winter Season: Here’s To Your Next Great Glass in a Fresh New Year

The cold months are here. If you are searching for your next winter wine pairing, our team at Small Winemakers has lots of recommendations. 

This James Mitchell Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 from California offers beautiful berry aromas. On the palate, you can expect hints of plum, red raspberries, and vanilla. An excellent pairing for a comforting Italian dish or a chocolate raspberry dessert. 

For a white wine option, we suggest the Casa Martin Cartagena Sauvignon Blanc 2021. This medium-bodied white wine offers hints of citrus and grassy notes on the nose. With balanced acidity, this wine is a perfect companion for a goat cheese platter. 

Find your next winter wine pairing at Small Winemakers today. Contact our team for more wine recommendations.