Red wine season? YES! But… not only…

The first week of winter is here! While we aren’t completely preparing for snow here in Newcastle, there is no denying the fact that things are cooling down. Getting out of bed in the morning is getting harder, the evenings are crisper and our dinners are becoming slower, fuller, richer and increasingly comfort-food driven. Naturally, so is our wine selection.

Winter wine matching isn’t about complicating the rules. It's purely about weight, texture and comfort. 

The light, crisp whites we’ve been sipping on for the past six months begin to make way for deeper flavours with more texture. Salads are swapped out for braised meats, hearty soups and dishes with more depth. Thankfully, the wines we all seem to love drinking in winter tend to love the foods we cook too. 

Red wine season? YES! But… not only…

Winter often gets labelled as ‘red wine season’ and for good reason! 

A silky Pinot Noir alongside a perfectly cooked duck breast, mushroom risotto or roast chicken is one of life’s great pleasures. Step things up with a Syrah or Cabernet beside slow-cooked lamb, beef cheeks or anything emerging from a cast iron pot that was put on in the morning and only JUST ready for dinner time. 

But winter isn’t just for reds…

Some of the best winter pairings come from fuller whites. A textural Chardonnay with roast chicken, fish pie or a creamy pasta, when done right, can be life changing.*

Looking towards the Rhone Valley in France, the white wines of this region are made for winter. They pair beautifully with earthy vegetables, roast pumpkin or hard cheeses.

And if you’ve ever had the absolute pleasure of drinking the incredible rich and textural white wines of the Jura, specifically Vin Jaune, you’ll know just how brilliant white wine can pair with bold winter flavours. Vin Jaune and Coq au Vin is, without question, one of my favourite food and wine pairings of all time. 

Match the mood, not just the menu

One of the easiest ways to think about food and wine pairing is to match intensity. 

Light dishes naturally enjoy lighter wines. Richer dishes…. You get the program.

But there’s another layer that’s becoming talked more and more: mood.

Sometimes the perfect match wouldn’t appear in the “Guide to the Perfect Food and Wine Pairing” text book. Its all about the mood, the setting and the people you’re sharing the bottle with.

A few winter combos we’re particularly excited to pull out this winter:

• Pinot Noir + Mushroom Risotto
• Chardonnay + Roast Chicken & Potatoes
• Syrah/Shriaz + Slow Cooked Lamb
• Nebbiolo + Braised Beef Ragu
• Champagne or Sparkling Wine + Hot Chips!

Winter is a reminder that wine is at its best when it sits naturally alongside food, conversation and a slightly longer evening. 

As things cool down, remember that the best wine and food pairing is exactly what you’re in the mood for. If that means an ice-cold Rosé with your steak, then by all means, go for it! But if you’re chasing something a little more wintery, reach for a glass with a bit more depth, texture and warmth.

*May not actually change your life.