LIVE 24-SEVEN
AHOY THERE… WINES FOR THE SEASONS
I have no nautical connections and have very little experience in the way of boats or anything boat shaped… It just seemed an ‘Ahoy there’ moment…
As we move very slowly into November (and I don’t believe anyone would argue that we have had a very sunny passage through this year) it occurs to me that with colder weather certain to make its way to us, we have a tendency to match wines to seasons; whites and light reds for sunny days, rosé in-between and heavier reds for autumn and winter months.
As it turns out, many whites are actually better suited for winter drinking than conventional wisdom would have you believe, with many of them equally or even better suited to a chilly night in January, than a warm day in June. The notes of many ‘winter’ spices and flavours, including vanilla, cream, butter, baked apple, roasted nuts, dry fruits, lemon and bread go very well with many whites. Look at the texture, creaminess and spicy style of the dish you’ll be eating and look for its resemblance in the wine.
These wines are viscous and densely layered with perhaps a touch of oak and are higher in alcohol. Off-dry varietals such as Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer or Muscat from Alsace and Germany are easily paired with the heavier foods associated with that region such as sausages, kraut, mustard and rich cheeses. Creamy Loire Valley Chenins, rich white Rhônes (from the north or south) or big luscious Viogniers from California or well-oaked Chardonnay from Australia.
A Northern Rhône Roussanne or Marsanne or blend of both will be rich and honeyed, yet fresh on the palate, with wonderful acidity and floral notes on the finish.
Dry Riesling with roast chicken stuffed with a ridiculous amount of garlic bulbs – and many other similar guises – superb! An aged Sauvignon Blanc with a rich, creamy pasta dish…bit of a revelation if I’m honest, even when heavy handed with the truffles.
Sauvignon Blanc drinkers will like Albariños from young vines, which are often more vivacious and have good acidity. Albariño is a very versatile food wine for the winter months; its lighter, fuller body and vibrant acidity pairs nicely with seasonal flavours like butternut squash, ginger and pomegranate.
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