|
| |
Winter
Warmers to Ring in 2005 |
2005
is finally here and so is the heart of winter. Christmas
and New Years have finally passed and it’s time to
relax. There’s no better way to relax this frigid
season than to enjoy a hearty, heartwarming glass of wine.
Here are some wines to dig while you dig yourself out of
the snow. (Don’t drink and shovel.) |
 2002
Altos de Luzon - $19.99
This
hearty, warming red from the Jumilla region of Spain
is an awesome and complex red to sooth your frozen soul. It’s
a blend of 50% Monastrell (Mourvedre), 25% Cabernet Sauvignon,
and 25% Tempranillo. It’s
rich with notes of plum, blackberry, cassis, and warm
spices. The
finish is long, smooth, and wholly satisfying. Delicious by itself or with garlicky
lamb chops. |
Gerstacker
Nurnberger Markt-Gluhwein -
$6.99
This
unique wine is warming in a completely different sense. It’s literally warming. This is the traditional Christmas wine
of the town of Nurnberg in Germany. It’s
a light-bodied off-dry red wine that’s been infused
with traditional Christmas spices such as cinnamon, clove,
and nutmeg. It
is traditionally served heated. Bring
to a heat slowly in a saucepan (do not boil) or put in
a crockpot with some orange slices. Enjoy
while building a snowman. |
 2001
Santa Rita Medalla Real Special Reserve Cabernet
Sauvignon -
$16.99
This
dense and chewy cabernet comes from the Maipo Valley
in Chile. It’s big and bold with notes of blackberry,
cassis, and subtle mint and spice characters. This is
a lot of cabernet for the money and will easily challenge
any of its California counterparts. Fantastic with a
thick grilled ribeye steak or a slow roasted leg of lamb.
www.santarita.com |
 2001
Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella - $22.99
This
full-bodied red is made in the Ripasso style (the Valpolicella
wine is run through the leftover pumice from making Amarone),
making it stylistically between Valpolicella and an Amarone.
It has intense notes of dark cherry and blackberry with
notes of vanilla, spice, and subtle raisin. A soothing
winter warmer in every sense. A great treat while sledding
or with a spice rubbed pork roast.
www.winebow.com |
2002
Mas Amiel Notre Terre Cotes du Roussillon Villages
- $16.99
This
southern French red is warming like your favorite sweater.
It’s a hearty blend of Grenache, Old Vine Carignan,
Syrah, and Mourvedre. It has a dark crimson color with
notes of black fruit jam and subtle smoke on the nose
with meandering notes of blackberry, dark cherry, and
subtle cedary spice on the palate. The finish is long
and elegant. Try with fowl, a beef roast, or a hearty
stew.
www.eagleeyeimports.com |
 2003
Henry’s Drive Reserve Reserve Shiraz - $49.99
This
is the definition of a rib-sticking, hearty, spirit warming
wine. Maybe it’s the 16% alcohol content or maybe
it’s the fact that this is one of the biggest,
heartiest, most concentrated reds to come out of Australia
(it’s especially massive for a wine from the Padthaway
region in South Australia). This monster of a wine comes
from the incredibly talented and extreme wine-making
duo of Sarah and Sparky Marquis (who also make Marquis
Philips, Parson’s Flat, and Shirvington).
This
beastly shiraz has copious amounts of jammy blackberry
fruit, melted licorice, and cedary spice. Also noticeable
are subtle notes of lavender, tar, raspberry puree, black
pepper, and mint. This wine is insanely complex and rich.
Try while making snow angels or with venison, lamb, or
your favorite cut of steak.
www.henrysdrive.com
www.gratefulpalate.com |
 Hardys
Whiskers Blake Tawny Port- $14.99
This
exceptional value in tawny port is truly a winter warmer.
This tawny is an average of 8 years old and is as smooth
as can be. It exhibits rich and smooth notes of toffee,
caramel, and nuts with a slight traditional rancio character.
It’s smooth and soothing and the perfect ending
to a cold winter’s day. Try while building an igloo
or with your favorite caramel or chocolate desserts (or
pour some on top for even more fun.
www.hardys.com.au |
|
|
