Winter is well underway – and what better way to welcome its arrival than by cracking open a bottle of your favourite red, white, or spirit and raising a glass?
When it comes to winter wine, there’s really nothing better for fighting back the cold than rugging up, pouring yourself a glass of your favourite wine and sitting down in front of a roaring fire (or more likely, your heater).
According to recent research, alcohol consumption spikes in winter. What’s more, another study confirms the age-old stereotype that those living in colder areas really do drink more than those in warmer areas.
Of course, just like picking the best wine to go with a steak, certain drinks work better in winter!
Don’t have any idea where to start looking for a winter warmer? Don’t worry – we’ve put together a list to help you get started.
And once you’ve chosen a drink, you can visit our store to buy wine online!
Winter is the season for a full-bodied wine
When winter rolls around, many of us change our menus. Instead of light meals, we shift to having hearty, warm, and filling meals for dinner, like chilli, curry, soups, and roasts.
Strong flavours need an equally strong wine to match – hence, sales of bold, full-bodied wines tend to jump during the colder months.
In addition to pairing better with heavier winter meals, full-bodied wines also feel more filling in general – exactly the type of sensation you want in winter.
Another thing to keep an eye out for is acidity – winter eats like creamy mushroom sauce and thick curry also tend to be heavier and fatter in general.
And as any self-proclaimed sommelier knows, that means choosing acidic wine to cut through your food and clear your palate.
It’s thanks to these attributes that red wine tends to dominate winter wine sales, since it’s intrinsically more full-bodied than white wine.
However, there are still a handful of white wines that can compete!
What’s the best wine for winter?
As we mentioned above, red wine tends to dominate wine sales during winter. In particular, our online wine store sees a big jump in sales of…
Shiraz
Australian Shiraz in particular is characterised by powerful flavours and its full-bodiedness – traits that make it the archetypical winter wine!
Shiraz really packs a punch – strong fruit flavours such as plum and black currant pair excellently with winter comfort food or on its own.
Combined with a high ABV, and it’s no wonder that this wine is such a popular complement to many a hearty winter feast.
Discover the unique tastes of Sauvignon and Shiraz wines in this blog, each offering its own delicious flavours that make your wine experience special.
Click here to buy Shiraz online.
Sangiovese
High-acid. High-tannin. What more is there to love?
Earthy and tannic, this red is another winter classic. In particular, its earth and rustic tones make it the perfect choice for when you simply want a glass of wine to accompany you as you relax or read a book.
When it comes to red wine, this Italian wine is layered and complex in flavour – the perfect drink for relaxing on a cold and rainy winter night.
Click here to buy Sangiovese online.
Champagne
Because why not?
There’s no law saying that Champagne can only be drunk at weddings or on New Year’s Eve.
While it may be light, it’s also very versatile. In particular, its high acidity means it can hold its own as a winter wine, even if it might not be as heavy-bodied.
Not to mention, Champagne is the wine of celebration – what better way to lighten the mood and cure winter blues than with a glass of bubbly?
Click here to buy (authentic) Champagne online.
There are also several great alternatives to Champagne, including Cuvee, Sparkling, and Prosecco!
Spirits
Okay, so this isn’t really a wine – that said, it’s still a great option for a winter warmer!
Everybody knows that strong alcohol makes you feel warmer. If you really want to feel the burn this winter, you could sub out the wine entirely and replace it with spirits and liquor.
Nothing warms up your insides quite like spirits and liquor do – the stronger, the better. It’s this quality that makes spirits and liquor such a popular choice when the mercury starts dropping.
At I Like Wine, we don’t just stock wine – despite the name, we also sell a wide range of spirits and liquor, including:
Click here to explore our range of spirits.
At the end of the day… drink what you want!
These suggestions are just that – suggestions.
In reality, the best winter wine is the wine you like best.
It doesn’t even have to be wine either – if you prefer the way a spirit such as whisky warms you up, go for it – don’t let us tell you what you should or shouldn’t do!
If you’re completely new to the world of wine however, these suggestions are a great starting point.
If you’d like more info, explore our online wine guide.
Buy wine online with I Like Wine!
With winter well underway, the last thing you’ll want to do is head outside – even if it’s to buy a bottle of wine to warm you up.
Luckily, there’s an alternative: buying wine online!
Our online wine shop stocks a wide variety of different wines. With nation-wide delivery, you’ll be able to enjoy any winter wine you want, without having to venture out into the cold!
Explore our online wine store to see what we can offer you, and click here to buy wine online.
