"winter white wine" news and stories

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.