It’s time restock your wine stash for the cooler months ahead. Here are our top wine recommendations that’ll see you through the chilly nights – plus free insider info downloadables from each of the winemakers.
As days grow colder and the nights draw in, we’re all looking for ways to make time at home more enjoyable. For Christina and me, a beautiful bottle of wine and some delicious food set the scene for a romantic evening in.
Colder weather usually means bolder flavours in the wine you choose, but it doesn’t mean you have to only go for full-bodied wines.
Here are a few bottles to choose from we highly recommend. And if you don’t believe us, we’ve included the notes from the winemakers about each bottle. There’s even interesting info on how the wine was made.
Autumn wines to ‘Fall’ for
House of Arras
Don’t fall into the trap of ignoring the sparkling white options when the weather gets colder. House of Arras is one of – if not the best bubbly in Australia, made by Ed Carr, the country’s most awarded sparkling wine-maker.
We spoke to Ed a little while ago about drinking bubbly in winter. Here’s what he’s got to say.
Hardys Eileen Hardy Chardonnay
Download the winemaker’s tasting notes for free here.
Chardonnay has seen a wonderful resurgence in recent times and it’s definitely a wine that fits well with cooler evenings.
The Eileen Hardy Chardonnay is a full-bodied wine, that would go well with pretty much all food – even red meat and roasts. There’s also enough sweetness here to pair it well with spicy food too, though on its own, the Eileen Hardy really stands out.
Don’t be tempted to over-chill this bottle though. Leaving it out of the fridge for about half an hour will give you so much more flavour. More often than not, we’re drinking wine at the wrong temperature.
You can buy this beautiful Chardonnay from Dan Murphy’s and other bottleshops nationally – $118 RRP
Grant Burge sparkling Rosé
Download the winemaker’s tasting notes for free here.
Back to the bubbles, this sparkling Rosé from Grant Burge brings all the refreshing elements and fun of a bottle of bubbly and combines it with a well-made, elegantly structured Pinot Noir Chardonnay Rosé wine.
It’s another great reminder that wine in winter doesn’t always have to be big, warming flavours and body. A glass of sparkling helps remind us all that winter never lasts forever.
You can buy Grant Burge’s Sparkling Rosé from Vintage Cellars and other bottleshops nationally – $30 RRP.
St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz
Download the winemaker’s tasting notes for free here.
I fell in love with St Hallett on a Qantas flight down to Adelaide years ago. Back then, it was only a glass of Gamekeeper’s Shiraz – a step or two down from the Blackwell. But everything that comes from this winery is the very embodiment of what you should expect from the Barossa.
As you’ll see from the maker’s notes, this gorgeous wine is packed with flavour that’s expertly balanced, patiently aged, and revered and respected by its maker.
Like all wine masterpieces, the Blackwell Shiraz will age for 10-15 years… if you can avoid its gloating temptation!
You can buy St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz from Dan Murphy’s and other bottleshops nationally – $42 RRP.
Do you have a favourite wine to snuggle up on the sofa with? What’s your fireside companion as winter comes on?
