Five White Wines Perfect for Winter

by Kristine Hansen, Posted Dec 24th 2009 @ 5:00PM

Photo: Getty Images.

Convention tells us that red wines are for winter, and whites are to be poured when you're wearing shorts. Yet there are several white wines – ones with substantial texture, body and more mineral and oak flavors than tropical fruit – that are perfect to open during a snowfall or sub-50 degree weather. Pair them with a stew, soup or braised meat.

2007 Zaca Mesa Winery Viognier, California ($17): Banana and white-peach notes introduce a bit of brightness to this Santa Ynez Valley wine, which has mellow mineralities. Its honeysuckle nose makes the overall-dry profile – as well as the finish -- bursting with more fruit, a pleasant surprise.

2008 Villa Rubini Friulano, Italy ($18): I first sipped this as a snowstorm blew into a fantastic Italian restaurant called Paesano's in Ann Arbor, Mich. But I digress. Friulano is a grape imported from Hungary during the 1630s, grown in many regions throughout Italy and up until 2006 was referred to as Tocai Friulano. Beginning with its almond nose, the wine is nicely balanced, lively and with a bright, citrus (orange/lemon) finish. It's more dry than sweet.

2008 Abadia de San Campio Albariño, Spain ($20): This wine's lemon-y nose might help whisk away any thoughts of shoveling snow. Grassy/orange notes emerge mid-palate but the almond finish is dry and lingers. Accidentally paired with a bowl of spicy chili, it cut through the jalapeno and cayenne pepper with success.

2008 Argento Reserva Torrontés, Argentina ($14): Torrontés is one of Argentina's most beloved and widely produced wines. The herbaceous quality in this bottle begins with floral and mint on the nose, sailing effortlessly into eucalyptus notes and a grapefruit finish. This wine has a very solid structure.

2007 Joseph Drouhin Chablis, France ($20): Dry and fruity, this Burgundy beauty is a gorgeous light yellow in the glass with green hues. Excellent mineralities, and notes of coriander accented by orange peel are in this nicely balanced wine.

Filed Under: Drinks
Tags: white wine, wine, winter white wine

Chew on This

Royal Wedding Cake Details Revealed! - YumSugar

Make Your Own Pop Tarts - CHOW
Denny's Introduces a Maple Bacon Sundae - Eater
Whole Foods Opening Bars in Stores - USA Today
Rules Of Bar Etiquette -- For The Bartender - HuffPost Food

Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-27-2009 @10:50PM Christie said... Zaca Mesa Viognier is one of my top three favorite wines! So happy to see it featured here. Of course you've probably just made it harder for me to get my hands on it. :) That's okay, they deserve the attention!
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

12-30-2009 @3:28PM Robert Broerse said... I find German Riesling to be a perennial favourite. The whites of the Mosel (especially) transcend all seasons. For winter, the apple, honey and petrol can just take you away. But it's great that Albarino and Torrontes are getting more press. Verdejo and Godella are also nice whites from Spain but sometimes hard to find.

www.wineq.blogspot.com
Reply