Warm up this season with a winter white
White wine isn’t just for those hot, sunny days on the patio. If you pick the right one it can be just the thing you’re after on a gloomy afternoon. In this post I’ll share what defines a winter white wine and some recommendations for my favorite Pacific Northwest winter white wines.
What’s a winter white?
A winter white wine is fuller-bodied, has higher alcohol and ripe fruit flavors. Think banana, mango, pineapple, yellow apple and apricot.
Viognier
A great example of a winter white is Viognier (vee-own-yay). I have to be honest, when I first tried Viognier I wasn’t a fan, something about overripe pear, but when you get the right one it’s magical. Now I’m hooked.
Here are two of my favorite Pacific Northwest Viogniers:
- Et Fille Deux Vert Vineyard Viognier – fermented in stainless steel, this mineral-driven Viognier has notes of pineapple and lemon.
- K Vintners Art Den Hoed Viognier – Fermented in neutral oak and concrete for a luscious mouthfeel. Creamy apricot and zesty lime make for an insanely delicious sip.
Roussanne
Creamy. Lush. Cozy. Roussanne is a French varietal found in the Rhone Valley. Typically it’s blended with Marsanne and Viognier, but when found on its own it’s quite a delight – and the next wine grape in our winter whites line up.
While Oregon is known for its burgundian-style wines, Southern Oregon is proving to serve up some warmer climate varieties that are simply superb. Roussanne is a sun-baby and the Rogue Valley is just the place for a grape that likes lots of warmth and sun during the growing season.
My absolute favorite Roussanne coming from Oregon right now is from Weisinger Family Winery. Aromas of lemon and acacia with flavors of grapefruit and almond. Super creamy mouthfeel, high acid, and a long luxurious finish. This would be a great pairing with some fondue or roasted chicken in a buttery sauce.
Kerner
Savory. Nutty. Textured. Have you heard of it? It’s a white wine grape that’s a genetic cross between Riesling and a red German variety, Trollinger.
Fun fact: Kerner was named after Justinius Kerner, a 19th-century physician, and poet who used to recommend a glass of wine to his patients as the best medicine.
My Pacific Northwest choice is a stellar Kerner coming out of Oregon from Craft Wine Co. The 2018 Minimus Kerner comes from Johan Vineyards in the Van Duzer Corridor of the Willamette Valley. Kerner being a cool-climate variety and frost-resistant grape does well with the fog, wind, and chill from the Pacific ocean breeze that often envelopes the site.
Aged in neutral Austrian oak barrels and a few days on the skins before press gives this wine a wonderful texture. I’m a huge fan of this unique white. This winter white is medium-bodied, with notes of pineapple, lemon, and herbs. Briny yet delightfully oily on the palate.
Minimus is all about experimentation and minimal intervention with a goal to produce unique wines that best represent the diversity of the region. Really looking forward to trying more wines from this talented group.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is super versatile. Ranging from crisp and light to rich and round, this wine grape has range. When looking for a Chardonnay that fits the bill of a winter white, look for oak aging, preferably some new oak to get those delicious barrel-aged flavors of vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon that remind us of the holiday season.
My PNW choice for a winter white Chardonnay is the Blakeslee Estate Reserve. Smells of vanilla, brioche, and a tropical banana smoothie. Round, rich mouthfeel with gorgeous lemon curd flavors and perfectly balanced acidity.
Grenache Blanc
Grenache Blanc is a white wine grape that originated in Northern Spain. Similar to Viognier and Roussanne, it tends to be higher in body and alcohol which makes it a great winter white wine. Grenache Blanc made its way over to France and has become a staple for many white Rhone blends, producing rich, nutty, and aromatic wines. You’ll find similar styles being made in California’s Central Coast.
My Pacific Northwest choice is a Grenache Blanc that has veered away from tradition. From Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley, Awen Winecraft has produced a refreshing and flavorful version. Aged in both neutral oak barrels and stainless steel makes for a nicely balanced texture. Showing flavors of pear, spice, and honeydew, this 100% Grenache Blanc is crisp, yet has a full mouthfeel.
Awen Winecraft is a small production, boutique winery out of Southern Oregon. Awen is a Celtic symbol meaning a spark of creativity or divine inspiration. That’s exactly what these dedicated winemakers look to embody in their wine.
What temperature should I serve my winter white wine?
So now that you have a list of options to drink, what temperature should you drink them at? Full-bodied, rich whites should be just slightly chilled, 46-55 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows for optimal enjoyment of aromas and flavors. Too cold a wine masks the bouquet. If you store your wines in a temperature-controlled cellar, take the bottle out of the fridge after just fifteen minutes of chilling. If you put it in the fridge at room temperature take it out after 45 minutes.
