Winter is the season for comfort, deeper flavours and long evenings spent around the table. It is the moment to open wines with warmth, texture and personality: bottles that stand up to roasted vegetables, slow-cooked dishes, creamy sauces and aromatic spices. Whether you are hosting friends or keeping things cosy at home, this guide will help you choose winter-friendly wines with confidence.
Why winter changes what we pour
Winter meals are naturally richer. Roasted root vegetables, mushrooms, braises and creamy dishes call for wines with structure, savoury depth and texture. Lighter summer bottles can feel overshadowed. This is the time to reach for fuller-bodied whites, aromatic styles and reds with gentle grip and warmth. The best winter wines feel comforting without being heavy and bring balance to every dish.
Winter whites with texture and warmth
White wine can be just as satisfying as red in the colder months, especially when it has weight, savoury notes or aromatic lift. These styles pair beautifully with poultry, fish, creamy sauces and roasted vegetables.
Fresh, versatile whites
VAST Alb 2023 is a fresh and versatile Romanian white with bright citrus and orchard fruit. It works across simple roast chicken, vegetable gratins, lighter pasta dishes and winter salads with a citrus dressing.
Textured whites for roast chicken and hearty sides
Château Ksara Blanc de Blancs 2023 brings stone fruit, citrus and gentle spice, with a soft, rounded texture. It is a natural partner for roast chicken, buttery potatoes, creamy leeks and herby pan sauces. It also suits mezze-style spreads and sharing plates.
Mineral whites for seafood and lighter winter dishes
Finocchi Viticoltori Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2021 offers zesty citrus, subtle almond and a clean, saline finish. Think baked fish, simple seafood dishes, vegetable risotto or a winter salad with fennel and herbs.
Sparkling to brighten dark evenings
Sparkling wine is one of the simplest ways to make a winter evening feel special. Its freshness cuts through rich food and it instantly sets the tone for gatherings.
Telavi Marani Premium Brut 2023 is a crisp Georgian sparkling with fine bubbles and bright fruit. It is ideal with canapés, salty snacks, soft cheeses and festive grazing boards, and it works just as well with a simple roast chicken supper as with party food.
Aromatic and skin-contact styles for winter flavours
Wines with aromatic lift or gentle grip shine alongside roasted vegetables, spice-led dishes and richer vegetarian plates.
Douloufakis Muscat Amphora 2022 brings floral notes, stone fruit and a subtle tannic frame from time on skins. It suits roasted squash, baked cheese dishes, couscous with herbs and citrus, or vegetable-driven mains with warming spices.
Comforting reds for long evenings
The best winter reds feel generous and savoury while keeping enough freshness to work with food. Medium-bodied styles are often the most flexible, sitting happily alongside slow-cooked meats, roasted vegetables and rich sauces.
Easy, cosy reds for weeknights
Davino VAST Rosu 2020 is smooth, fruit-led and easy to drink, with soft tannins and gentle spice. It is a brilliant match for tomato-based dishes, baked pasta, simple stews and pizza nights.
Lifted reds for mushrooms and herbs
Douloufakis Dafnios Liatiko 2021 offers red fruit, light spice and a savoury edge. It works beautifully with mushroom dishes, roasted peppers, lentil stews and herb-forward sides.
Characterful reds for hearty winter cooking
L’Enclos des Roses Rouge 2019 from Gaillac brings bramble fruit, fine tannins and regional character. It is ideal with slow-cooked meats, sausages, roasted root vegetables and hearty one-pot dishes.
Alma Negra V Blend 2022 is a fuller, aromatic white from Argentina that can handle richer cooking: think creamy vegetable bakes, roast poultry with herbs or dishes that include both spice and sweetness.
Elegant bottles for special winter occasions
When you want something a little more polished for dinner parties or festive meals, look to classic regions with good acidity and balance.
Domaine Vincent Pinard Flores Sancerre 2022 is a precise, high-quality Loire Sauvignon Blanc. Its citrus, minerality and fine texture make it ideal for refined fish dishes, goat’s cheese starters or lighter first courses.
Savigny-lès-Beaune Domaine Lucien Jacob 2021 is a classic Burgundy with red fruit, earth and gentle oak. It is a lovely option for roast duck, herb-roast chicken, mushroom dishes or a simple plate of good cheese and charcuterie.
How to stock a simple winter wine selection
You do not need a large cellar to drink well in winter. A small, thoughtful line-up will see you through most meals and gatherings:
- One fresh, versatile white for everyday cooking (such as VAST Alb 2023).
- One textured white that can stand up to roast chicken and creamy dishes (like Château Ksara Blanc de Blancs 2023).
- One aromatic or skin-contact bottle for vegetable and spice-led dishes (Douloufakis Muscat Amphora 2022).
- One easy, comforting red for casual nights in (Davino VAST Rosu 2020).
- One lighter, savoury red for mushrooms, herbs and poultry (Douloufakis Dafnios Liatiko 2021 or Savigny-lès-Beaune 2021).
- One sparkling wine ready for guests, celebrations and relaxed aperitifs (Telavi Marani Premium Brut 2023).
Winter recipes from the Raravina kitchen
If you are looking for what to cook as well as what to pour, explore our collection of wine-paired recipes. Every wine at Raravina is matched to a recipe by our sommeliers, so you can move from bottle to plate with ease.
Browse our Recipe Collection for ideas ranging from slow-roasted dishes and risotti to seafood, vegetarian plates and comforting weekend suppers.
Bringing it all together
Winter is about generous cooking, relaxed hosting and wines that feel as comforting as the food on the table. Choose bottles with texture, savoury depth or aromatic character and you will have something delicious to reach for all season long. Whether you are hosting a crowd or enjoying a quiet night in, a small, well-chosen winter selection will keep you covered.
Until next time, stay nosey.
