Wine
Tasting Panel's Top Winter Wines
Is it the wonderfully-flavoured Shiraz, the refreshing Riesling, or an alternate blend you have yet to relish? Picking the best winter wines is often a conundrum best solved with expert advice.
Whether you are looking for red wines for winter or want a reason to explore more winter white wines, there’s sure to be something you’ll love among these taste sensations hand-picked by our Wine Selectors Tasting Panel Co-Chair, Adam Walls, and Panellists Will Figueira and Dave Mavor.
ADAM’S WINTER WINE PICK - ROUSSANNE
Adam Walls is Wine Selectors Tasting Panel Co-Chair and an esteemed wine show judge
One of the trends in Australian white wine at the moment is the move towards textural white wines. Grown in moderate to warm climates such as Barossa, McLaren Vale, and Rutherglen, Roussanne offers delightful complexity with honeyed aromas, pear, and floral notes. While straight Roussanne is uncommon in Australia, it is often found in blends with Marsanne and Viognier. Its well-rounded acidity and creamy texture make it an excellent companion for hearty winter dishes. The wine's warmth and elegance provide a comforting and sophisticated experience, perfect for the colder months.
This winter, I am especially delighted to indulge in the exquisite Roussanne blends from Wine Selectors.The De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate Shelley's Block Marsanne Viognier Roussanne 2021 and The Story Wines Marsanne Roussanne Viognier 2019 are just two remarkable selections that captivate with their fascinating complexity and inviting character.
- Adam Walls, Wine Selectors Tasting Panel Co-Chair
ROUSSANNE TASTING NOTES:
The aromas of Roussanne evoke the delicate essence of a floral, herbal tea reminiscent of chamomile and daisies. In its youth, Roussanne showcases vibrant fruity notes like pear and apricot. As it matures, these youthful characteristics evolve into rich, nutty nuances. Although Roussanne is delicious in its youth, it can also age beautifully, revealing extra complexity and depth over time.
ROUSSANNE FOOD PAIRINGS:
A beautifully textural blend, this varietal is a sensational match for decadent seafood dishes like Anjum Anands coastal crab and coconut curry. Lyndey Milan’s Family chicken pie and Lyndey’s Pumpkin and Spinach Risotto are other charming choices that pair well with Roussanne.
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WILL’S WINTER WINE PICK - SHIRAZ
Will in action, tasting and judging wines on the Wine Selectors Tasting Panel
The great thing about Shiraz is that it is grown all over Australia and comes in many different styles. The one central theme, however, with this variety is its richness and concentration of flavour - and that is what we love in the cooler months. It warms the cockles of your heart and matches so well with many foods we eat around this time of year, making it the perfect winter wine.
I love all types of Shiraz, but if I absolutely have to choose, I would say medium-bodied, savoury styles are my preference. Hunter Valley and Adelaide Hills produce some fantastic wines in this style. They are elegant and refined without losing any fruit concentration. If you are still pondering which wine is best for winter, I strongly suggest you try the Wine Selectors Shiraz selections from producers like Brokenwood, Tyrrell’s, First Creek, and De Iuliis in the Hunter. These labels produce excellent Shiraz, even in tough years. Shaw and Smith, Sidewood, Howard Vineyard, and Lambrook in the Hills also produce some of the finest Shiraz, great for beating the winter chill.
- Will Figueira , Wine Selectors Tasting Panellist
SHIRAZ TASTING NOTES:
Shiraz is famously celebrated for its robust flavours of blackberry and plum, enriched with savoury hints of leather, earth, pepper, and even a touch of liquorice. However, it boasts remarkable versatility, capturing the essence of its origin and the distinctive touch of the winemaker.
SHIRAZ FOOD PAIRINGS:
Generally, a wine with big flavours will match food with a similar depth of flavour. So whether the Shiraz is from the Hunter or the Barossa, it compliments rich and spicy food, slow-cooked classics and barbequed fare. One of the best dishes to pair Shiraz with this winter would be veal osso buco with crispy capers. Another great winter favourite, fillet of beef-burgundy style, never fails to impress. If your red wines for winter include more cool climate varieties, you will love to partner them with Asian dishes like fragrant curries or spiced lamb kofte with cucumber and yoghurt salad.
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DAVE’S WINTER WINE PICK - RIESLING
Dave, a member of the Wine Selectors Tasting Panel, regularly judges wine shows each year across Europe.
Though often considered a summer sipper, Riesling stands out as one of the best white wines for winter due to its remarkable versatility and depth. Its crisp acidity harmonises with the hearty flavours of winter cuisine, while its aromatic complexity—from notes of citrus and ripe stonefruit to subtle hints of honey and spice—creates a warming and elegant experience. Whether enjoyed by the fireside or paired with a rich, savoury meal, Riesling’s ability to balance freshness with sweetness makes it an exquisite choice for the colder months.
When it comes to winter wines, Riesling from the Clare and Eden Valley’s offer a wonderful wine experience, given their elegant structure and cellaring potential. Cool-climate Rieslings from Tasmania have great length and a high level of natural acidity, making them the perfect winter wines to wake your palate from hibernation. Some of my favourite selections to cosy up to the fire this winter are from producers like Leasingham, Z wine, Claymore, Tahbilk, Kirrihill, and other distinguished examples curated by the team, perfect for the cooler months.
- Dave Mavor , Wine Selectors Tasting Panellist
RIESLING TASTING NOTES:
What makes Riesling one of the best wines to drink in winter is primarily attributed to its aging ability. When young, Riesling typically shows citrus and apple fruit aromas and flavours, with varying degrees of floral and mineral characters and high levels of fresh acidity. With time, it evolves to reveal delightful honey and toasty notes.
RIESLING FOOD PAIRINGS:
Riesling’s high acidity and citrus flavours make it an excellent match for various seafood dishes. Additionally, it pairs wonderfully with spicy Asian cuisine, including Thai and Korean dishes and the rich flavours of Middle Eastern food. Some delightful recipes that complement Riesling include Lyndey Milans Soba noodles with peanut and ginger, salmon curry with corn and snake beans, and mussels with fennel, orange and caper emulsion.
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