---

Winter may not officially be here, but the cold days and chilly nights have officially settled in. It’s officially time for cozy movie nights, warm fur throws, and an evening spent by a roaring fireplace. It’s also the perfect time to enjoy red wine.

Rich in complexity, deep aromas, and exceptionally food-friendly, red wine has a lot to offer during the winter season. If you consider yourself a wine enthusiast, you’re probably familiar with go-to varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to red wine. There are lots of interesting varietals that lend themselves well to wintertime sipping. If you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone and slip into something new, the list below is a good place to start.

Syrah

Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape, just hailing from different parts of the world. Syrah originates from France and is predominantly grown in the northern portion of the Rhône Valley. Here, the volcanic soil and continental climate give the Syrah grapes a bold and spicy, yet refined flavor that’s rich in savory and peppery notes, lush dark fruits, and crushed violets. Outside of the Rhône Valley, Syrah thrives in cooler climates like the Pacific Northwest. Wines from these regions tend to have softer tannins with flavors such as tobacco, cedar, and vanilla.

Nebbiolo

Originating from Piedmont, Nebbiolo is a delicious red grape that has something to offer every palate. The overall flavor profile of the wine is fruity, with notes of dark cherries and raspberries boosted by rose and star anise. But in cooler temperatures, Nebbiolo becomes deeper in flavor with tart fruit, herbaceous, and earthy aromas—think cranberry, rustic herbs, and truffles.

Tempranillo

Tempranillo has a beautiful ruby color that gives way to the rich and bright fruit flavors it delivers. The most prominent notes are cherry, plum, and tomato, which are offset by deep aromas of cedar, leather, and vanilla. Spanish Tempranillo, specifically Riojas, are aged in oak and have rich notes of spices, wood, and fragrant herbs. These wines vary in age, with younger Rijoas having a lighter, less tannic taste and older (up to 20 years) wines delivering complexities and heady aromas that come only with age.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is one of the grapes used to create Cabernet Sauvignon. Though it originates from France, it’s widely grown in other wine regions and takes on flavors from different parts of the world. In cooler climates, it produces wines with spiced pepper and deep bramble fruit aromas and has an equally dark color. But in warmer regions, the pepper notes become fresher and deliver a crisp green taste like that of ripe bell peppers and crisp, tangy veggies.