Dirty Laundry Vineyard
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    Best Wine Pairings for Winter

    Feb 10, 2023

    It’s that time of the year. The Holidays are over, the decorations are packed away, and it's unwelcoming outside. I think most will agree it’s definitely the ‘bleurgh’ season. However, here at Dirty Laundry we like to look at the (wine) glass as half-full. Yes, these dark winter months can drag on, but instead of loathing this unpopular and unpredictable season, embrace the cold; whether you’re cooking comfort food or curled on the couch in a comfy pair of slippers and your favourite book, there's a wine that pairs with that. 

    Why drink red wine in winter?

    Red wine is as synonymous with winter as rosé is with summer. On a cold winter's night, nothing beats sitting in front of a toasty fire with your hands wrapped around a large glass of heavy, rich red wine. Why is it though, that red wine is the perfect remedy for an icy winter night?


    1. Red wine contains more tannins 

    Tannins in wine are derived from the skin, stems and seeds of grapes. A higher concentration of tannins causes the wine to have a more sharp and dry taste, and those found in winter reds tend to be more earthy and less sweet, attributes that pair better with your favourite winter foods. 


    2. Red wine is rich in polyphenols

    Polyphenols (micronutrients that naturally occur in plants) are easy to get in your diet from foods like fruits, vegetables, teas, and spices. Grapes, grape juice, and wine generally have high concentrations of polyphenols and they are more prolific in grapes with darker skins. Not only do they give red wine body and structure, polyphenols in wine protect the lining of blood vessels in the heart which is why red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. In fact, health experts advise drinking up to one glass of red wine a day! 


    3.Red wine can help improve your mood

    Wine increases the release of dopamine and serotonin in your brain, helping to generate a feeling of relaxation and happiness which can really improve your mood on a cold, grey winter day. A 2019 study found that the plant compound resveratrol (found in higher concentrations in red wine than white wine), displays anti-stress effects by blocking the expression of an enzyme related to the control of stress in the brain.


    4.Red wine can warm you up

    When you drink a glass of red wine, the palate is enveloped by a feeling of warmth, which is why red wine is more often associated with winter than white wine. In addition, red wine’s higher alcohol content creates a natural thermogenic effect, warming the body from the inside out. That’s right, you literally get hotter with every glass poured! Mulled wine - a spiced drink made with red wine - is a delicious festive drink and is usually served hot, the best way for keeping warm on a cold winter night. 


    5.Red wine pairs perfectly with many seasonal recipes.

    In the winter months we are more inclined to eat robust, comfort dishes like fatty roasted meats, hearty soups and full-flavoured pastas. The richness, flavour and texture of a full-bodied red wine is a better match with winter foods with the same qualities.

    5 red winter wines that pair perfectly with sweater weather


    Pinot Noir

    Pinot Noir is often chosen for its versatility. Not only does its delicate, light-bodied nature make it a good red wine for beginners, its high acidity, subtle earthy undertones and fruity features pair well with almost every hearty winter dish you can think of, whether that’s a mushroom pizza, butternut squash ravioli, spaghetti Bolognese, or even seared duck breast!


    Dirty Laundry’s Pinot Noir is aged for 13 months in 25% new French oak and 75% neutral French oak. When it first hits your palate you will experience beautiful integrated flavours of blackberry and prune then hints of savoury barrel spice, and some herbaceous and floral notes.


    Merlot

    Bursting with red fruit flavours, easy tannins, and a soft finish, Merlot is the perfect choice as a winter red wine. Similar to Pinot Noir, it is a versatile wine that comes in many varieties. It can be more fruit-forward or medium- to very full-bodied, which makes it easy to pair it with anything from roast beef with all the fixings, to a stuffed pork tenderloin or a roasted chicken. Mushroom risotto with grilled asparagus would make a great food and winter wine pairing. 


    Our Merlot displays character, acid and punch comparative to its Californian counterparts, with grapes sourced from some of the warmest vineyards in Canada. With aromas of ripe red berries, cherry liqueur and chocolate-covered raisins, this full-bodied wine exhibits flavours of Saskatoon berries, black currant, and mocha with a med-high tannin structure with a very dry finish.

    Cabernet Sauvignon

    Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic choice to warm up a chilly day. A full-bodied, acidic wine that offers a complex world of flavours, Cabernet Sauvignon often exhibits notes of plum, berries, vanilla, black pepper, tobacco, leather and even coffee. So complex is the wine, you’ll never get bored of discovering the different flavour profiles within.


    Cab Sav, as it is often referred to, is a wine that pairs well with an endless variety of winter meals. Think braised beef short rib pasta, roasted lamb chops, elk tenderloin, or a marinated portobello mushroom cap with grilled asparagus. The higher tannins in this wine call for fat and protein in your dish!


    The full-bodied         Cabernet Sauvignon available at Dirty Laundry Vineyard offers a very round mouth-feel and tannin structure with hints of black pepper, cedar and dark chocolate notes on the finish. Aged for 12 months in oak barrels, which contributes to its aromas of red current, ripe cherry and cinnamon on the nose, this popular wine has an ideal tannin development as well as a beautiful colour.


    Syrah

    Syrah is a big, bold red wine - just what you need to warm up your frozen insides when it’s below zero outside! Full of heavy tannins and earthy, smoky flavours, you can find notes of cured meats, smoke, coffee, and blueberries in a bottle of Syrah.


    Syrah’s bold palate is made for hearty main courses and rustic flavours. Braised beef short ribs, roasted leg of lamb, as well as any grilled wild game would pair perfectly, and roasted squash or marinated Portobello mushroom caps would stand up well to this wine as well. The heartier and spicier the dish, the better the pairing!


    Our Kay-Syrah is 95% award-winning Syrah fruit, co-fermented with 5% Viognier skins that have already had the juice pressed off. This technique echoes Syrah and Viognier’s heritage in the Rhone Valley in France. The beautiful integrated medium-soft tannin structure of this wine leads to a full and round mouthfeel with a silky lingering finish.


    Port

    Port—a sweet, red, fortified wine from Portugal—is the red wine that you can continue sipping through dessert! There are several styles of Port, including ruby red, white, rosé, and an aged style called Tawny Port. 

    Ideally served just below room temperature, port wine is a sweet dessert wine that pairs wonderfully with ripe cheeses, nuts, fruity desserts or dark chocolate, but not so well with meaty dishes.


    Dirty Laundry’s         A Girl In Every Port is a non-vintage ruby-port style wine, aged in French Oak for 3 years and fortified with Alberta grain spirits. It is very sweet yet balanced and is fruit forward, exhibiting flavours of stewed plums & ripe berries.

    White wines that pair perfectly with winter

    Wait, what? White wines in winter? That's right. While it's not hard to see why people naturally gravitate towards reds in the winter, there are still some white wines that pair perfectly with the colder weather. The first step to drinking whites in winter is to keep an open mind. In truth, no hard and fast rule dictates what you have to drink in any particular season, and the temperature outside should not stop you from drinking your favourite white wine. White wine actually pairs well with many winter comfort foods and, like red wine, can also be included as an ingredient in some of your dishes.


    These few tips can help you enjoy your favourite white wine, even if it’s served when the temperature is below zero!


    Chose a white with higher acidity

    A white wine with higher acidity helps to cut through rich, fatty and heavy winter foods. Many people assume they should pair heartier dishes with a full-bodied white wine, like a heavy, oaky chardonnay, however these types of wine often lack acidity which is needed to balance the richer meal. Our 2021 Riesling is a good choice of higher acidity white wine to pair with typical winter recipes. 


    Serve white wine at the right temperature

    Contrary to popular belief, white wine should not be served straight from the fridge and an ice-cold glass of white wine will not pair well with your winter comfort food. However, taking the bottle of wine out of the fridge 30 minutes or so before serving will bring it to its optimal drinking temperature, allowing the wine’s aromas to really shine, and complement your hearty meal. 



    Whether you’re a red, white, rosé or fortified winter wine drinker, these tips will help you enjoy your chosen wine to its fullest, helping to combat the winter blues, keeping you warm on the inside even when it’s arctic outside.



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