November 28, 2024 at 5:00 AM PST
White wine is generally associated with the sunny days of spring and summer. Served chilled, it’s crisp and refreshing on a hot day and is easy to sip as the sun lingers into the evening. Many also have a flavor profile—fruity with hints of zest, sea salt, and floral aromas—that makes seafood and fresh produce sing. But the truth is, white wine can be just as enjoyable during the latter parts of the year. Several varietals offer a diverse range of flavors, and depending on the style, it can be more fitting for a cozy winter night than a bold red wine.
Their food-friendly nature is also fitting for winter. As the temperatures begin to shift, the flavors of seasonal fare become richer, and the dishes get heartier. While a light-bodied Pinot Grigio doesn’t have the heft for winter fare, there are lots of options that do. Even better? Many styles pair expertly with the assortment of cheeses and nuts the holiday season brings. With fall in full swing and winter on the horizon, it is the perfect time to embrace a winter white wine.
Whether creamy and full with notes of baking spices or herbaceous and mineral with earthy aromas, white wine can be ideal this time of year. Below, learn about the varietals that work best for winter and the bottles we’re reaching for all season long.
The beauty of Chardonnay is that it offers an extremely versatile palette that can be fitting for almost any season. Although it is a fruit-forward wine, it can be light-hearted or take on the rich, spiced flavors of baked apple and pear. For winter, it’s best to look for bottles that hail from the grape’s Burgundy origin region or styles that offer a similar weight and texture. This could be a result of oak or simply a testament to land and the wine-making style.
While some Chablis can be full and creamy, this unoaked style is light, mineral-driven, and fairly dry. Still, its fruit notes—subtleties of pear and citrus—come through with each sip. It's not what you'd expect from the region, but it is a delightfully balanced sip that stands up to roasted root veggies, hearty salads, and poultry.
The golden color of this chardonnay is a beauty in itself, but the attributes beyond that are what make it a treat. On the nose, you'll find a bouquet of aromas ranging from floral to citrus and herbaceous. But upon sipping, you'll be hit with soft candied notes like butterscotch, toasty amaretto, and tangy meringue. The combination is a testament to the many flavors chardonnay can produce and a fine example of its winter-sipping abilities.
Like Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc can be very diverse in flavors, ranging from floral and fruity to crisp or mineral. The variation also makes it a great candidate for sparkling and still wines that work well with a variety of foods. It all depends on where the grapes are grown. Lighter styles offer a lean off-dry taste that pairs well with appetizers and light meals—think winter salads and pureed soups, while oaked versions offer a heftier sip for roasted poultry or fish.
The Anjou region of Loire provides some of the most food-friendly Chenin Blancs, and this wine is an excellent example. Although it's mineral-driven with nice acidity, it has soft aromas of pome fruits like pear and quince that are nicely tempered with herbs and star anise. The combination results in a flavor that is complex and pleasant. Beyond its flavor profile, it has a soft texture that borders on creamy and luscious as you sip.
Hailing from California, just inland of Sacramento, Wade Cellars Chenin Blanc is an intriguing mix of floral and zesty notes. It's light in body and full of bright aromatics such as tropical fruits, white flowers, and citrus zest. But it's well-balanced with just the right amount of crispness and texture, making it perfect for light fare or casual sipping.
Pinot Grigo is known for being a lighter wine, often sipped during spring and summer. However, it can be enjoyed during the colder months of the year too. Instead of opting for wines from sun-soaked regions, look for Pinot Grigios from cooler climates that will produce wines with more minerality and balanced acidity. The thick skin of the grape also makes it ideal for creating skin-contact wines that add texture to the typically light-bodied wine.
The ramato style of this Pinot Grigio gives the wine a subtle texture that enhances its mouthfeel, making it a bit more weighty than a traditional pinot. The nose is a fanciful reflection of the coppery hue and opens with intense notes of peach and melon fruits with hits of blackberries. As you sip, you're greeted with touches of minerality and soft tannins that add to the richness of the palette.
Alto Adige Pinto Grigio is known to be extremely well-balanced between acidity and weight. In this wine, you'll find that though each sip is crisp, the wine itself has a soft texture. The flavors, like the straw yellow color, are textbook and include apple, pear, and hints of baking spices like nutmeg. The overall structure and flavor profile allow the wine to be enjoyed with an assortment of foods, from light fare to richer dishes.
By nature, rieslings are sweeter with more pronounced perfumed aromas. Still, they’re not relegated to just dessert. Choosing a dry, semi-dry, aged, or sparkling option will showcase how interesting the grape can be. The floral flavors become less pronounced and offer a more complex palette, while the high acidity adds just the right amount of crispness. The combination is as fitting for autumn spices, roasted vegetables, and winter grains as it is for a creamy dessert.
A classic expression of New York Riesling, this wine is as vibrant as it is delightful to sip. Its main feature is the off-dry taste, which balances the sweetness and balances the acidity. The result is a melange of fruit flavors that include apples, peaches, tropical mangos, and fresh citrus. Whether you pair it with a spiced savory dish or dessert, it holds its own whilst adding to the meal.
Some of the best expressions of Riesling are found in a white blend like this one that also features Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, and Müller-Thurgau. Despite being a blend, the wine is Riesling-driven and relies on the best elements from the other varietals to add complexity. Together they create a symphony of juicy and aromatic flavors, leaving behind a touch of sweetness at the end of each sip.
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