RED WINE TO WARM YOU UP

Now that the days are getting shorter and the cold is slowly setting in, we are all too happy to swap crisp white wines and rosé for full, rounded red wines. The deep flavors, the warmer alcohol content and the spicy aromas pair perfectly with winter dishes and long evenings under a blanket or by the fireplace. Red wine owes its color and character to the skins of blue grapes that remain in the juice during fermentation. They give the wine body, structure and the subtly dry mouthfeel that lovers of it adore.

TEXT: ARDA VAN DER VALK
PHOTOGRAPHY: NOPOINTSTUDIOS
STYLING: DESIREE VAN DIJK


Warm impression

Full-bodied, spicy wines come into their own beautifully in winter. Syrah or Shiraz from Australia offers notes of black fruit, pepper and sometimes a hint of smoke, which immediately leaves a wonderfully warm impression and pairs perfectly with stews or lamb. The approachable Malbec is dark in color and soft in tannins, with aromas of berries, chocolate and tobacco. An ideal companion to red meat, winter pasta dishes or a piece of aged cheese.

Also Zinfandel, the Californian counterpart of the Italian Primitivo, is a truly warming wine. It has a juicy, jammy structure, soft tannins and a warm spiciness with hints of cocoa, mocha and spices. Perfect for a cold evening. Tempranillo, the pride of Spain offers instead elegance and balance, with dark fruit, soft tannins and subtle vanilla notes when it has been aged in oak. And for those who prefer it a bit lighter, Pinot Noir is a beautiful choice with winter vegetable dishes.

Classic blends are also doing excellently this season. Think of a lovely Bordeaux such as Château La Haye, with aromas of blackberries, tobacco, blackcurrants and a refined, long finish that perfectly supports richer dishes.

Ultimate winter classic

Besides a glass of red wine, there is of course the ultimate winter favorite: mulled wine. This fragrant, warming drink, flavored with cinnamon, clove, star anise and orange, has been beloved for centuries on cold days and at winter markets. In the French Alps you come Mulled Wine against, often further enriched with a little lemon, sugar or a dash of liqueur.

Whether you opt for a full-bodied glass with a winter dinner, an elegant red wine by the fireplace or a steaming mug of mulled wine during a chilly evening outside: red wine always brings a moment of pure warmth.