WASHINGTON — There’s a nip in the air and snow on the ground. Winter has definitely come to Washington, and along with it, an opportunity to change your wine wardrobe.
But before you put away all of your white wines for the spring, reconsider.
While big red wines traditionally are the default accompaniment for cold weather fare, such as stews and chili, there are many white wines that can be tongue-warming as well. Like soft wool scarves and flannel sheets, big white wines can provide warmth and contentment.
Pair them with comfort foods such as white bean chili or roasted chicken and you have a match akin to red wine and steak.
The essential characteristics that I look for in winter whites are relatively straight forward. It’s really all about structure, structure, structure. I look for white wines that carry a lot of weight and density in the mouth and fruit tones centered around pear, peach, roasted nuts and tropical fruits.
These are typically the same characteristics that can be found in white Rhone varietals, such as Roussanne, Viognier and Marsanne, but can also include dense Semillon and creamy chardonnays.
Here are a few examples of white wines that are perfect for a winter evening.
Sonoma County grape farmer Tom Gore looks at wine as a way of preserving the fruit of the summer for year-round enjoyment. His namesake 2015 Tom Gore Vineyards Chardonnay from Sonoma, California is a great way to enjoy the fruit of the summer when it’s chilly outside. Boasting aromas of tropical citrus, pineapple and guava, and flavors of pear and ripe apple in the mouth and toasty oak — thanks to the 60 percent barrel fermentation — it’s an affordable, food-friendly wine that’s particularly complementary for roasted chicken. $15
D’Arenberg is certainly one of the most recognized wineries in Southern Australia. The company was established back in 1912 by Joseph Osborn after he purchased land in what has now become the McLaren Vale. This winter, you can count on the 2014 d’Arenberg Hermit Crab Marsanne Viognier to warm up your palate. This wine, a blend of Viognier and Marsanne, is both comforting and luscious at the same time. The aromatic scents of acacia and white peach and apricot are very conspicuous on the fragrant bouquet and on the palate. Lingering hints of apple and pear on the finish provide a layer of depth to the wine, while spicy acidity gives it freshness and focus. $16
From the Rhone Valley of France — home to big red wines — comes a big white wine, the 2013 Janasse Cote du Rhone Blanc. This beautiful Granache Blanc exudes scents of acacia and honeysuckle on the fragrant bouquet. The weighty mouthfeel features flavors of ripe pear and notes of ultra-juicy peaches, but it’s bone dry and not the least bit cloying, thanks to the wonderful structure and abundant acidity. The rich finish sports integrated notes of orange blossom and white fig. $22
The Prisoner Wine Company in California is known for making bold, complex wines, and its 2014 Blindfold California White is no exception. It is an intriguing blend of delicious and interesting white varietals including chardonnay, Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and chenin blanc. Inviting aromas of honeysuckle, grilled white peach, and apricot linger harmoniously with a luscious entry of familiar cold weather flavor, toasted hazelnut, making this wine the perfect foil to darker, complex reds for winter sipping. $32
