Winter Wines
Inspired by Wine Folly’s 14 Winter Wines You’ll Love plus a few others we’ve added in, here are some fun, cold weather wines to check out:
Carpineto - Tuscany, Italy (producer of Sangiovese, featured below)
Champagne
“We’re not really sure why so many relegate their Champagne drinking just to New Year’s Eve. It’s light, refreshing, and insanely versatile when it comes to food. Sure, it’s expensive, but there are affordable alternatives. Plus, we can’t think of a better way to cure winter blues than with a bit of the bubbly.” —WineFolly
R.H. Coutier NV Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc • Champagne, France • Reg $71.99 | Mixed Case $57.59
100% Chardonnay grapes from chalky limestone & clay soils. “The golden color with feint hints of green. … The nose shows classic apples and white stone fruit blossoms tinged with citrus. A creamy texture with fresh mineral tones and floral notes round out the racy acidity that follow. Very classy stuff…” —importer notes.
R.H. Coutier NV Grand Cru Brut Rosé • Champagne, France • Reg $66.99 | Mixed Case $53.59
Blend of 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir. “Our cuvee Rosé ... is brisk, fresh and full of energy, the Rosé offers a striking interplay of Ambonnay richness and verve. Dried flowers, cranberry, mint and blood orange.’ —importer notes.
Beautiful bottles. Both are good prices for grower Champagne. Cheers to love!
Cabernet Sauvignon
“We can hear you now: “Thanks for the rec, Captain Obvious.” Still, just how awesome Cabernet Sauvignon is this time of year bears repeating. We’re all eating rib-sticking dishes, accumulating mass for hibernation, and Cab is a no-brainer pairing. But it’s also more than an eating companion, it’s a thinking person’s wine. It’s layered, complex, and if you go Old World, surprisingly subtle.” —WineFolly
Tamarack Cellars — Cabernet Sauvignon from Bacchus Vineyard (White Bluffs AVA)
Classic Regions: Left Bank Bordeaux (Médoc, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux, Graves), Napa Valley, Washington State • Food Pairings: grilled lamb chops, pepper steak, brisket, duck, mushroom dishes
Château Le Souley-Ste Croix 2019 Haut-Médoc • Bordeaux, France • Reg $21.99 | Mixed Case $17.59
Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot. Red plums & red berries, hazelnut, herbs on the nose. So beautiful. Balanced, complex. Flavors of black currents, blackberries, a little blueberry. Acidity is killer. Soft tannins on the long, fresh finish. Wonderful, classic, Left Bank Bordeaux.
Tamarack 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon • Columbia Valley, Washington • Reg $37.99 | Mixed Case $30.39
Rich blackberries, dark cherries & an earthy minerality on the nose. Smooth, velvety fruit flavors from the nose with soft, fresh tobacco & spicy notes on the finish. Really accessible, easy-drinking, pleasant WA Cab. Enjoy with richer cuts of meats & mushroom dishes.
Sangiovese
“Can we gush about traditional Sangiovese for a minute? Earthy and rustic, it goes with all kinds of winter eats and even vegetarian fare. Added bonus: Its complex nose is perfect for sitting, sniffing, and contemplating New Year’s resolutions.” —WineFolly
Carpineto (Tuscany) — Sangiovese vineyards
Classic Regions: Tuscany (Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti & more) • Food Pairings: tomato sauce, roasted winter veggies, sausage, pizza.
Carpineto 2021 Chianti Classico • Tuscany, Italy • Reg $26.99 | Mixed Case $21.59
True, old-world Chianti. Rich nose of red berries, red & black cherries. Note of spice & dried porcini mushrooms. Palate is lighter & slightly tart. Perfect food wine. Think baked, tomato-based pasta dishes! Long, smooth finish.
Kiona 2021 Sangiovese • Red Mountain, Washington • Reg $29.99 | Mixed Case $23.99
Here's our local version of the same grape! Aromas of bright red fruit with some spicy notes. Elegant, smooth. Flavors of raspberries, strawberries & cherries with earthy-spicy notes. Lean acidity all the way through the long finish. Great food wine all around.
Chardonnay
“It’s so cool to hate on oaked Chardonnay. No, we can’t get behind that. Every wine has a time and a place. The time is now for rich, buttery Chardonnay. Full-bodied with dominant flavors of vanilla, butter, caramel—and a touch of citrus—it’s quite an alternative to eggnog and hot buttered rum.” —Winefolly
Sandhi vineyards — Central Coast, California
Classic Regions: California (Santa Barbara, Napa, Sonoma, Russian River Valley), Burgundy (Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, Chablis, Mâcon), Willamette Valley, Washington State • Food Pairings: chicken, turkey, sea bass, lobster, comté and gruyere cheese, mushrooms, cream sauce pasta, and cream-based soups
Domaine Berthier 2020 Mâcon-Chaintré • Burgundy, France • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19
100% Chardonnay. Stainless steel aged. Mirabelle plum, stone fruits, pear & minerally smoky notes. Mâcon at its best!
Sandhi 2021 Chardonnay • Central Coast, California • Reg $27.99 | Mixed Case $22.39
Fresh apple, pear, stone fruit & stone. Not your typical Central Coast Chardonnay. Not too oaky, not buttery. Terrific Old World-style Chardonnay from California.
Tempranillo
This grape needs more love! From medium-bodied, earthy, smoky Rioja to fuller-bodied, dry-as-a-bone Ribera del Duero and everything in between, Tempranillo is a perfect winter red. Made for food (lamb would be the local dish), this wine can be thoughtful. Savor every sip. —Jens
Bodegas Vizcarra (Ribera del Duero) — Tempranillo vineyards
Classic Regions: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Catalunya — all in Spain. Once in awhile, we’ll see Tempranillo from WA State, California or Oregon • Food Pairings: Lamb is what you’d get served up in northcentral Spain. Closer to Barcelona, may chicken & sausage paella.
Bodegas Vizcarra 2020 Senda del Oro • Ribera del Duero, Spain • Reg $31.99 | Mixed Case $25.59
100% Tinto Fino (= local name for Tempranillo). Aromas of red and black raspberries, cassis and sage. Medium-bodied, somewhat juicy (unexpected for that kind of wine), with flavors of black cherries, red currants, coffee, dark chocolate. Soft notes of dried herbs and spices as well as earthy tones. Smooth tannins on the long finish.
Tomàs Cusiné 2021 Llebre • Costers del Segre, Spain • Reg $19.99 | Mixed Case $15.99
100% Ull de Llebre = Tempranillo in Catalan. Literally translated, it means 'a hare´s eye' since the grape is small and dark. Thus, the label! Tart red plums, red berries, blackberries, cherries, faint saddle leather. Medium-bodied. Soft tannins on the finish. Terrific everyday Tempranillo!
Valpolicella
“The region’s most famous wine, Amarone della Valpolicella, partially dries grapes to increase concentration in a process called appasimento. Corvina is the darling grape of the Valpo blend and known for its flavors of cherries and chocolate.” —WineFolly
Masi (Valpolicella) - dried Amarone grapes ready for pressing
Classic Regions: Valpolicella in the Veneto region of northcentral Italy • Food Pairings: The simpler Valpolicella wines pair with burgers and roast chicken. Finer Ripasso and Amarone styles deserve braised meats, steaks, mushrooms and aged cheeses.
Allegrini 2023 Valpolicella • Veneto, Italy • Reg $21.99 | Mixed Case $17.59
Classic Amarone producer. This red is their entry-level wine. Red & black plums on the nose with herbal notes. Hints of oregano & rosemary. Flavors add in blackberry. Good acidity! Phenomenal food wine – mushroom risotto, pizza, roasted meats. It's fresh & super tasty.
Masi 2019 Costasera Amarone Classico • Veneto, Italy • Reg $74.99 | Mixed Case $59.99
Blend of Molinara, Rondinella, Corvina. Deep, dark, earthy plum. Dried plums as it opens up. Flavors of plums (red & black), blackberries, pflaumenmousse (German apple butter but made with plums). Wonderful acidity. Fine tannins. Absolutely delicious wine.
Port
“You say you don’t like Port. We say you don’t like Port yet. There are a lot of wines we’ll be sampling this winter, but this is the one we’ll be reaching for after celebrations, by the fireplace, and on the longest of winter nights.” —WineFolly
Douro Valley (Portugal) — courtesy of Mike & Jenny Lust
Classic Regions: Douro Valley (Portugal) • Food Pairings: blue cheese (stilton, roquefort, gorgonzola), creme brûlée, black forest cake, cherry pie, chocolate truffles, and walnuts
Quinta da Romaneira 10-year Tawny • Douro Valley, Portugal • Reg $34.99 | Mixed Case $27.99
Field blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca. Pale brick red tawny color. In its complex aroma, the vibrant young fruit blends deliciously with the attractive and characteristic dry fruits aromas like nuts. Rich and smooth on the palate it has an elegant structure and a long finish. —importer notes.
Dow's Ruby Port • Douro Valley, Portugal • Reg $19.99 | Mixed Case $15.99
Flavors of chocolate covered cherries, raspberries. Very medium-bodied with good acidity. Not heavy, rich at all.
Pinot Gris
“Pinot Gris, especially from cold growing areas (Alsace, Germany, Alto Adige), can have plenty of body to hold up to hearty winter fare. Think bratwurst, potatoes & sauerkraut. Great winter white.” —Jens
Pierre Sparr (Alsace)
Classic Regions: Alsace, Germany (Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Baden), Alto Adige, Veneto, Willamette Valley • Food Pairings: Sausages, Flammkuchen (thin crust pizza with Gruyère, onions & speck), roasted chicken, pork tenderloin with zucchini & goat cheese
Pierre Sparr 2020 Pinot Gris • Alsace, France • Reg $24.99 | Mixed Case $19.99
100% Pinot Gris. On the nose "...ripe quince, apricots and walnuts.... Later subtle-spicy aromas of some grapefruit, forest honey and black pepper follow. ....delicate lemony acid and a muscular fine-balanced body" on the finish. Enjoy with chicken pot pie. —winery notes.
Illahe 2023 Pinot Gris • Willamette Valley, Oregon • Reg $27.99 | Mixed Case $22.39
Fresh nectarines and pear on the nose. Stone fruit, minerality, green tea. Fresh with good acidity on the finish. Enjoyed with mashed potatoes, crispy red cabbage, and garlic shrimp. Fantastic.
Mourvèdre
“(aka Monastrell) A gamier, more untamed alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon, seek out wines from Jumilla and Bandol for shining examples of this unctuous mother.” —WineFolly
Chateau Le Devoy Martine (Lirac) - Mourvèdre harvest
Classic Regions: Bandol (Provence), Jumilla, Catalunya • Food Pairings: A perfect wine with smoked meats and barbecue where the wine’s peppery and gamy flavors seem to vanish, revealing layers of black fruits and chocolate.
Bodegas Ego 2018 Goru Gold • Jumilla, Spain • Reg $19.99 | Mixed Case $15.99
80% Monastrell (Mourvèdre) with a little Syrah & Cab blended in. "This red is sleek and solid, in the modern style. Bright cherry, berry and currant flavors mingle with licorice, black tea and mineral notes, giving way to a floral and minerally finish. The firm tannins are well-integrated and juicy acidity keeps this lively." –Wine Spectator
Chateau Le Devoy Martine 2021 Lirac • Southern Rhône, France • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19
Unusual Rhône blend of: 45% Mourvèdre(!), 25% Grenache, 20% Grenache, 10% Cinsault. Spicy red fruit on the nose. Soft garrigue. Black raspberries, blackberries, herbs, spicy on the palate. Acidity is great. Soft tannins. Long finish. Perfect Rhône wine.
PNW winter shot: eagles outside of Mt. Vernon
Hope you enjoy these winter wine suggestions! They’re really fun and great for cold weather meals & events.
Julie & Jens, owners
Portalis Wine Shop