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The perfect white wines for winter should be an oxymoron, no? The golden rule has always been white for summer, red for winter. Not true anymore. Throw out the rules and live on the edge! Here are 3 ideas for white wine pairings in winter to warm up those cold nights!

Chardonnay 

Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand.  The main components of a chardonnay: lean, crisp, highly-acidic. It is versatile and highly popular ( the #1 table wine in America).

A good chardonnay can be paired with a seafood appetizer of Lobster bisque, shrimp cocktail or raw selection of tuna tartare. It goes well with most poultry, or be adventurous and out of the box and try a paring with a grilled cheese sandwich.

Sauvignon Blanc 

Sauvignon blanc is a green-skinned grape variety that originates from the Bordeaux region of France. Attributes: Crisp, dry, refreshing.

Nice pairings: White Truffle Mac & Cheese, Chili (the beef, tomatoes and spice call for high acid and strong tropical-fruit flavors that can compete)

Viognier 

Viognier is a low yielding white wine variety that originated in Croatia, France. the Viognier varietal has more natural aromatics that include notes of peach, pears, violets and minerality.  These aromatic notes can be easily destroyed by too much exposure to oxygen, which needs a high-level of skill from the winemaker. Viogniers are great during the colder months for their stone-fruit undertones of peaches and apricot, which really pairs well with sweeter meats like pork and lamb.

Pairings: balance the sweet & tangy flavors of a slow cooked pork, a light & buttery chicken pot pie or a lamb shank.

Did you like this blog post? Are you ready to try some white wines? Buy white wine online with Jim’s Cellars and don’t forget to comment below.