As the temperature drops and nights draw in, most wine drinkers instinctively reach for heavy reds, consigning crisp whites to summer garden parties. But according to renowned wine expert Hannah Crosbie, we're making a serious mistake by sidelining white wine during the winter months.
Why White Wine Deserves Your Attention This Winter
"There's a common misconception that white wine is exclusively for warm weather," explains Crosbie. "But certain white varieties possess exactly the weight, complexity, and richness needed to complement winter cuisine and comfort our palates when the mercury plummets."
The Winter White Wine Revolution
Forget the light, zesty Sauvignon Blancs of summer. The whites that excel in winter are typically fuller-bodied, often oak-aged, with deeper flavour profiles that can stand up to heartier dishes.
Top White Wine Varieties for Cold Weather
- Chardonnay: Particularly oak-aged examples from Burgundy or California that offer buttery textures and notes of baked apple and vanilla
- Viognier: Known for its aromatic intensity and stone fruit characteristics that pair beautifully with winter spices
- Chenin Blanc
- White Rioja: Often oak-aged, these Spanish whites bring oxidative notes and nutty flavours that work wonderfully with roasted dishes
Perfect Winter Pairings You Haven't Considered
Crosbie suggests several unexpected but brilliant winter pairings that challenge conventional wisdom:
- Full-bodied Chardonnay with roast chicken - The wine's richness complements the savoury notes of perfectly roasted poultry
- Aged white Burgundy with mushroom risotto - The earthy flavours find harmony with the wine's developed complexity
- Viognier with spiced butternut squash soup - The wine's aromatic quality enhances the soup's warm spices
- White Rioja with cheese boards - Particularly excellent with aged Manchego and other hard cheeses
Breaking Seasonal Stereotypes
"We've become so programmed to match wine colour with seasons that we're missing incredible drinking experiences," Crosbie observes. "The key isn't the colour of the wine, but its weight, texture, and flavour intensity."
She encourages wine lovers to look beyond simple colour coding and consider the actual characteristics of each wine. A rich, oak-aged white can provide as much comfort and complexity as many medium-bodied reds, often with more food-pairing versatility.
Temperature Matters
One crucial adjustment for winter white wine drinking: serving temperature. "Don't serve these whites ice-cold from the refrigerator," Crosbie advises. "Let them warm slightly to around 10-12°C to allow their complex aromas and flavours to fully express themselves."
This simple adjustment transforms the drinking experience, revealing layers of flavour that would remain hidden in an overly chilled glass.
Embrace the Cold Weather White
This winter, instead of automatically reaching for red, consider exploring the world of substantial white wines. As Crosbie concludes: "The right white wine can be just as comforting, complex, and seasonally appropriate as any red—it just requires looking beyond summer stereotypes and discovering the depth that certain white varieties offer."
