Winter isn’t coming, it’s well and truly here in Australia. So to celebrate its arrival here are five perfect wines for winter. These are wines I’m going to be enjoying now the temperature has dropped. I mean I know I live in Brisbane, but it’s getting cold here too I swear!
I love winter wines. As much as I am a Rosé lover (who also enjoys it in winter), there is something about cozying up on the couch with a nice glass of red wine in cold weather. It’s so nice getting into those warming red wines at this time of year. Plus they go oh so well with comfort food!
So let’s dive into five perfect wines for winter.
Susuro Wines Farfalla Friulano
I wanted to start off with a curve ball because winter isn’t always about Red Wine! There are plenty of great opportunities to enjoy white wine in the cooler months, either at lunch or before dinner. Especially when they are a little toasty like this one from Susuro Wines.
If you haven’t tried the Italian variety Friulano, this one from Mornington is a great place to start. Its notes of toasted hazelnuts and orchard fruits come together in a luscious white wine. With oak maturation on lees, this wine has a beautiful balance of fruit and creamy texture with a mid-weight palate. This makes it perfect for enjoying in the cooler months!
Find out more here.
Wild Folk Shiraz
For something on the natural side, Wild Folk produce minimal intervention wines designed so you can enjoy a glass just as mother nature intended. They are wild yeast fermented, with no additions, vegan friendly, preservative-free, unfined and unfiltered.
Shiraz is always a winner when it comes to winter, especially Barossa Shiraz! The Wild Folk Shiraz is from the Barossa and 2021 was a cracking vintage. This wine is an honest expression of Shiraz packed full of freshness and flavours of dark blackberry and blueberry, spice and quite soft tannins. This is the kind of Shiraz you can enjoy without having to wait.
Find out more here.
Z Wine Julius Shiraz
I had to put two Shiraz into the lineup, because this one from Z Wine is perfect for celebrating and special occasions. Maybe you are planning to have your friends over for a nice dinner, and want something special to crack open with them. Or maybe you want to celebrate making it through another work week.
The Z Wines Julius Shiraz is a different take on the Barossa Shiraz from the natural wine above. This basket press wine is seriously special. Notes of raspberry, licorice and black pepper are balanced beautifully across a luscious palate. This wine is elegant and has an incredibly long finish. Everything you want in a winter wine!
Find out more here.
Mitchelton Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
I find I don’t gravitate towards Cabernet Sauvignon in the warmer months, but in winter I always find my way back to them. A perfect one to try this winter is the Mitchelton Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s under $30 a bottle and simply delicious. Perfect for cozying up on the couch to watch Netflix with for the ideal night in.
This wine has a beautiful palate with a nice structure and ripe yet fine tannins. Notes of cassis, plum and blackberry come together with herb and spicy oak. On the palate, the wine has a lovely savoury spice to it that nicely balances the fruit. The long finish is also perfect for cold winter nights.
Find out more here.
The Flying Winemaker Syrah
I know, another Shiraz, but this time a different take from Hawkes Bay in New Zealand. This wine is perfect for those who prefer a lighter style red, even in winter. Or if you still want to enjoy a red wine over lunch or in the afternoon before dinner and want something lighter. Whatever the occasion, this wine from The Flying Winemaker is a great option if you want a lighter style Syrah instead of a heavier Shiraz.
This wine has the classic pepper on the nose along with plums and a hint of spice and floral notes. This follows through to the palate which has a nice weight and texture alongside soft tannins. The wine is super approachable and at $25 a bottle, it’s really affordable for a delicious cool-climate Shiraz.
Find out more here.