The spring weather may be creeping in, but the cold nights and wild weather are a sign that winter is still very much here—especially in Australia’s southwest!
Winter is typically associated with red wine. There’s something comforting about rich reds and hearty food, or drinking red in front of a log fire. Full-body red wines are renowned for offering warmth and depth.
It doesn’t mean you can’t drink lighter wines, like white, bubbles or Rosé in the cooler months. Finding the best wines to transition from winter into spring is a matter of personal preference and taste, what you’re eating or doing, where you are, and who you’re with.
Here’s a guide to get started.
Why Seasonal Wines Matter
The perfect wine will help you bridge the gap between seasons. Naturally, different weather influences the flavours and textures people crave, and while we believe every season is wine season, certain wines and characteristics pair better with specific seasonal changes.
With local and farm-to-table movements making it easier to attune eating to the seasons, it makes sense to pair wine with the weather too. Not only does it enhance your enjoyment of the wine, but the season and food as well.
When choosing the best wine for winter or spring, consider:
Wine Climate
Weather drives wine quality and taste. Climates with high winter rainfall and warmer, drier summer temperatures tend to produce better-quality wines. Cool climate grapes have higher natural acidity, meaning the wines are lighter and crisper.
Higher acidity wines, such as Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are great for drinking between seasons, especially when transitioning from winter to spring.
Wine Characteristics
Richer, heavier wines feel more warming in winter. On the other hand, high-acidity and sweeter, fruity wines bring out the freshness of spring.
Occasion and Mood
Align flavours with moods by choosing varieties that balance the cosy comfort of late winter with the fruity, crisp changes of spring ie: light reds like Pinot Noir or Grenache, or fuller-bodied whites such as Chardonnay.
Alcohol Content
Climate, growing conditions and grape variety can all impact the alcohol content of wine. Low-alcohol wine is typically sweeter but still delivers complexity with lighter, crisper wines a more refreshing option for warmer months.
Food and Wine Pairing
As you swap roasts and soups with grilled veggies and relaxed BBQs, rosé wines and light reds are versatile enough to complement foods and flavours from both seasons.
Best Wines for a Cosy Winter Night
Vibrant wines with velvety textures are excellent for warming your senses in winter. Cosy up with the luscious flavours of dark berries, plum and fine fruit tannins, which intensify in cool-climate wines like Merlot and Shiraz.
With their high acidity flavours, cool-climate wines such as Pinot Noir and Merlot have a very light body and a spicy taste compared to warmer climate wines of the same variety - perfect for elevating your drinking experience. For a hearty winter meal, choose a wine that will exalt the aromas and flavours of the food, like full-bodied red or mature whites that match the heavier dishes.
Winter also goes well with a hot mug (or two) of mulled wine goodness. Mulled wine and mulled cider promise to add a touch of sunshine to those chilly evenings! Get inspired here.
Our top winter picks:
Collectors Corner fortified vintage for its rich, fruitcake flavours
Select Pinot Noir for its smooth oak and dark cherry gentleness
Select Merlot for its intense but well-balanced blend
What is the Best Wine for Spring?
When transitioning between seasons, you might want the best of both worlds. With the right choice of wine you can.
Whether it’s for the end of winter when the cold chill has stuck around, or you’re after something refreshing to welcome spring, light-bodied reds, Riesling and Rosé are great seasonal wines.
The oak, buttery flavours of Chardonnay is an ideal wine for spring too. With its creamy texture and subtle hints of lemon, fruit and spice, choose a heavier oaked wine for early spring and a lightly oaked variety as the weather heats up.
If you’re a red drinker, opt for chilled red wines or try a light-bodied Pinot Noir for the best red wine for spring.
Our top spring picks:
Select Chardonnay for its light, lemon-butter flavours
Blanc De Noir (Pinot Rosé) for its satisfying blend of light raspberry and vanilla
Sauvignon Blanc Method Ancestral for its honeydew melon freshness and complex characteristics
Tips for Storing and Serving Wines in Different Seasons
It’s always best to store your wine at a consistent temperature between 12-13 degrees. For red wine, 16-18 degrees is ideal. Keep the humidity around 70% and avoid leaving your wine in direct sunlight or close to heating and cooling systems.
Here at Mountford Wines, we prefer drinking small-batch, high-quality wines. Our selection of certified organic wines and ciders are handmade with minimal intervention and preservatives, ensuring intangible quality and maximum impact on your palate.
Have a seasonal favourite you’d like to share? Leave a comment below and let us know.
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