Us Aussies are nation of boozers, and we’re very particular about our wines. Some of the best wine regions in the world our right on our doorstep, and there are certain grapes that can take us through the winter months. A glass of red is like a big hug on a cold winter’s night when I’m swaddled in a blanket on the sofa at 6pm.
We are lucky that our winters bring us an abundance of sunshine; I always think our winter is similar to the British springtime – nippy in the morning and at night, but warm and bright in the daytime.
I’ve listed my favourite 5 wines that I make sure I have stocked in my kitchen through the winter months.
5 Bottles Of Wine You Need This Winter
1. Shiraz
Shiraz is the wine of the season. Our palettes need a medium to full-bodied wine, and the boldness of the Shiraz definitely caters to that.
The iconic grape is boozy and brooding; the rich fruit flavours are powerful and warming. For those chillier evenings in Sydney when the sun has gone down, a glass of shiraz will hit the spot.
Notable Shiraz regions:
- Margaret River, WA
- McLaren Vale, WA
- Clare Valley, SA
- Hunter Valley, NSW
- Coonawarra, SA
- Marlborough, New Zealand
Pair Shiraz with: Shiraz goes wonderfully with red meats: beef, pork and duck.
2. Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is an internationally favoured wine, grown in all sorts of climates and regions world-wide.
Because of its ubiquity, it has a variety of flavours. Generally is it a full-bodied wine with a savoury taste and powerful dark fruit flavours. It is a dry wine and tastes like black pepper or bell pepper, depending on the region its from.
Notable Cabernet Sauvignon regions:
- Margaret River, SA
- Coonawarra, SA
- Bordeaux, France
- Tuscany, Italy
- Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
- Santa Cruz Mountains, California
- Napa Valley, California
Pair Cabernet Sauvignon with: red meats, cheddar cheese and rich desserts like dark chocolate, dark berries and coffee flavours.
3. Chardonnay
When it comes to white wine in the winter, it’s all about Chardonnay. This flexible white wine can be both dry and sweet, and can divide opinion. But, full-bodied Chardonnay that has a rich, buttery and vanilla taste with a hint of citrus is ideal for the winter.
Chardonnay is made all over the world, from England to New Zealand. In cooler climates, Chardonnay is light-bodied with acidic flavours of apple and pear. Warmer climates bring out citrus flavours: melon and peach. In super warm climates, a Chardonnay can taste like tropical flavours: banana, fig and mango.
Notable Chardonnay regions:
- Burgundy, France (where it originated)
- Adelaide Hills, SA
- Marlborough, New Zealand
- Central Coast AVA, California
- Willamette Valley, New Zealand
Pair Chardonnay with: white meats like chicken a turkey; fish like sea bass and lobster; cream-based dishes like pasta sauces and soups.
4. Champagne
Ah, Champagne. It’s not just our best friend on New Year’s Eve…I say that a bit of bubbly is the perfect remedy for the winter blues.
Originating from the Champagne region of France, there are different types of Champagne born from different grapes. Blanc de Blancs is made from Chardonnay grapes exclusively, and Blanc de Noirs means that the Champagne is made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. “Dosage” refers the amount of sugar that is added to white wine to balance the acidity. If a Champagne is “Brut” it has a minimal “dosage”.
Notable Champagne regions:
Champagne can be divided into three parts: the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne (for Blanc de Noirs) and the Côte des Blancs (for Blanc de Blancs).
Pair Champagne with: Salty snacks like fries, potato chips, nuts and cheese (i.e. party food).
5. Malbec
Malbec is a red wine that is the perfect accompaniment to hearty winter dishes. The purple grape is used to make Malbec, which gives it a rich, dark, juicy taste with plum and blackberry flavours. It is full-bodied and has a high alcohol percentage – so gather your dinner guests and have a boozy dinner party.
Notable Malbec regions:
- Cahors, France
- Mendoza, Argentina
- Central Valley, Chile
Pair Malbec with: leaner cuts of red meat, cheese, herbs and spices and vegetables.
Stocking up on any of these wines will help you through the winter!
