Bold red wines for Winter? Groundbreaking.
Yes, the classic peppery reds and weighty whites are here — but cold-weather drinking has more to it.
Oh, it’s all getting a bit bleak, isn’t it? Dark. Miserable. You’ve been living in what feels like a five-day state of grey. Seriously, I can’t tell where the pavement ends and the sky begins. Everything is just…so grey.
Winter? In the UK, it never really leaves. It just keeps coming back in new disguises. Spring. False summer. Second winter. Third winter. No wonder we Brits love talking about the weather — it keeps us on our toes.
But if there’s one thing this Brit talks about even more than the weather, it’s wine. So here we are: the best winter wines to drink when it’s cold, miserable, and wintery… again.
When you’re putting off turning the heating on
The wine to drink when you need warmth, fast.
You need warmth. Fast. It’s 6:00 pm, your flat is officially chilly, and the heating? Well…it’s not coming on until 7. So what do you reach for? Spice, weight…and a blanket. Bold reds, warming fortified wines, or anything with a hint of pepper will do the trick.
Top pick: Care Garnacha Nativa – bursting with dark cherry and ripe raspberry. Balanced with a warm spice and oak influence. £12.50 at Tesco
Slow-cooking something that takes forever
What to drink while something simmers for hours.
You’re stirring a stew, soup, or some sort of slow-cooked deliciousness for what feels like forever. Easy-drinking reds or structured whites are your friends here. For me, this one’s the companion while I’m ladling stock into my Friday-night mushroom risotto – a splash in the pan, a splash in my glass.
Top pick: Larry Cherubino Pedestal Chardonnay 2024 – weighty Australian oaked chardonnay. Smooth, clean, balanced, with lemon, peach, and a hint of toasty oak. Delicious alone, or paired. £19.99 at The Wine Reserve.
For late-night chats
Cosy winter wines for slow evenings in.
Friends are over. The fire – or a YouTube video of a crackling fireplace – is on. You’re talking about everything and nothing all at once. You need an easy-drinker to sip slowly. Reliable. Rewarding. Cosy. It’s just got to be Merlot.
Top pick: J.P. Chenet Merlot – medium-bodied with soft tannins, perfect with a rich, warming dinner. Fruity, easy-drinking, and only £7.25 at Tesco.
On rainy afternoons
What to drink on a grey winter day.
It’s grey. Wet. The wind’s knocked over your wheelie bin. You have absolutely no plans to leave the house. The answer? A good book and a glass of off-dry white.
Top pick: Paul Mas Viognier – rich but fresh, with floral notes and peach flavours. £10.00 at Tesco.
To mark the end of the week
Winter wines for when you’re off the clock.
Friday night, finally. You’ve survived the week. A celebration is on the cards. And, yes, 5:30 p.m. on a Friday is a celebration in itself. Sometimes, that calls for sparkling. Cheers to the small moments.
Top pick: Moillard Crémant de Bourgogne – lemon, crisp green apple, gentle bubbles, and a soft foamy texture. £16.00 at Tesco.
Next week’s forecast? More grey, probably. Good thing you’ve got the wine sorted.
