Top 7 Red Wines for a Cold, Winter's Day

When fall turns to winter, fine dining and cuisine follow suit. After all, who doesn't welcome a hearty beef stew, veal shank, pot roast or steaming, hot casserole on a cold, chilly night? Of course, serious, winter meals demand wines that can stand up to the extra weight. A full-bodied red wine is higher in tannins and, therefore, the perfect choice for a cold winter's day.

Indeed, wintertime is the best time for hearty meals and exceptional red wine. Which wines to select? Check out these Top 7 Red Wines for a Cold, Winter's Day. Great pairings for your winter meals.

2007 Estate Pinot Noir
Madonna Estate
Website: www.madonnaestate.com
Region: Napa, California
Retail Price: $30

This is a great, versatile wine that will make your winter meals a little more cozy. This is one red wine that will hold up to the heartiest winter fare. A good companion to roasted whole chicken with rosemary, grilled salmon, and seafood chowder. Great with lamb stew, polenta, and beef tenderloin. Looking for a California wine that's ready for winter? Check out Madonna Estate's Pinot Noir.

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Chateau Chabiran
Region: Bordeaux, France
Retail Price: $11-$15

Winter wouldn't be winter without a taste of this intensely complex Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon is a fruity wine with a heavier dose of tannins than, say, the lighter, red wines. Cabernet is a bit earthy, complex and rich with tannin. Cabernet makes a perfect companion for lamb stew or beef bourguignon. Check out this Bordeaux. Chateau Chabiran makes a wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon for the next cold, winter's day.

2007 Juliet Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Beau Vigne
Website: www.beauvigne.com
Region: Napa, California
Retail Price: $55

I'm not a big fan of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot combinations, but I'll make a big exception for this wine. You'll love its flavor and big finish. 2005 and 2006 vintages are "knock outs" as well. Perfect with rib eye and flank steak, beef and lamb. Can also be paired with hearty soups and stews. Let this Cabernet blend will put some "wow" into a cold, winter's day. A terrific all around red wine for winter.

2005 Tignanello
Antinori
Website: www.antinori.it/
Region: Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
Retail Price: $79

Sensational dry, red wine for a cold winter's day. Perfect companion for lamb chops, steak, cheese platter, Italian meatballs and pasta dishes. Great wine to take the chill off of any crowd this winter. Tignanello, produced by Antinori, is one of Italy's "mythical" wines. 2004 was a great vintage, but some say 2005 is even better. Prepare your palette for an interesting ride this cold, winter's day.

2000 Brunello di Montalcino
Podere Brizio
Website: www.poderebrizio.it
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Retail Price: $104

The Sangiovese red grape got its name from "sanguis Jovis" or "blood of Jupiter." Dating to pre-Roman times, Sangiovese is one of the two predominant red grapes in Italy, where it is extensively planted, mostly in the central and southern regions. Sangiovese is believed to have originated in Tuscany, where it dominates the landscape to this day. Serving wine and cheese before the meal? Check out Brunello di Montalcino. A perfect accompaniment for your winter buffet. Holds up and pairs nicely with heavier finger food as well. A perfect red wine for a cold, winter's day.

2004 Barolo Castiglione
Vietti
Website: www.vietti.com
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Retail Price: $39.95

Sensational winter table wine from the Piedmont region of Italy. Delightfully aromatic, with a rich, earthy flavor, Barolo makes a fantastic addition on a cold, winter's day. Rich and concentrated. Perfect with stew. Stands up and stands tall to intensely flavored dishes. A perfect red to take the chill off your winter. Find out why Barolo is called Italy's "King of Wines" on your next, cold, winter's day.

2007 Vintage Port
Taylor Fladgate
Website: www.taylor.pt
Region: Douro Valley, Portugal
Retail Price: $89

Believe it or not, Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman was founded more than three centuries ago in 1692. The most famous of all Port houses, Taylor's is regarded as the benchmark firm for Vintage Port. Blended from wines of a single year, Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) ages from four to six years in cask and is ready to drink when bottled. Its concentrated, fruity flavor and firm, full-bodied style make Taylor's LBV the perfect choice to pair with rich, dark chocolate desserts, or Roquefort or Stilton cheese platters. Try Vintage Port for something a little different this winter. An excellent wine on a cold, winter's day.

RESOURCES

Wine Spectator
www.winespectator.com/

The Wine School
http://www.wineclass.net/

Jancis Robinson. The Oxford Companion to Wine. (Oxford University Press, USA; 3rd edition, 2006).

Ben Howkins. Rich, Rare and Red: A Guide to Port. (Wine Appreciation Guild; 3rd edition, 2003).