This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Fair-Weathered Red Wines

It’s hard to pair a wine with the type of weather we’ve had lately. While most of the country experiences record-breaking snowfall and bitter cold, we happen to flux between sweaters and sweltering. Can someone pick a season and stick to it long enough to enjoy a wine?

Times and temperatures like these call for fair-weathered wines; these wines are appropriate in both wintry and sultry times. They are medium-bodied, versatile – meaning they pair with a variety of foods and occasions – and balanced with fruit flavors.

Red Diamond Temperamental Red Blend ($13) – The Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan grapes are sourced from Spain but the wine is bottled in Washington State. It’s a prime example of New World meeting Old with the use of stainless steel fermenters coupled with wood aging in French and American barrels. The wine feels mellow in the mouth with blackberry and chocolate flavors. On a cold day, pair this with a hearty beef and barely stew. On a warm day, pair with grilled chicken breast served over spinach salad with dried cranberries, candied pecans and blue cheese crumbles.

Find out what's happening in St. Petewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Wolfgang Puck Red Blend Master Lot Reserve ($15) – It just makes sense that chef-extraordinaire Wolfgang Puck would move into private-labeled wines. This particular California blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah is masterfully put together with dark berry flavors from start to finish. Although fruity, it’s not a jam-bomb; instead it’s exactly what you want in a wine something to taste upfront, in the middle and at the finish. This wine is strong enough for braised duck and easy enough for the comforting flavors of meatloaf and mashed potatoes with gravy.

Piccini Memoro Vino Rosso d’Italia ($12) – The Piccini Family has been making wines since 1882 mainly in Tuscany. But to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy, the family decided to make a wine from grapes sourced from the four corners of Italy. This wine is 40% Primitivo from Puglia (the heel of the boot), 30% Montepulciano from Abruzzo (almost smack in the center); 20% Nero d’Avola from Sicily (island at the toe of the boot) and 10% Merlot from Veneto (northeast mountainous region extending to Austrian border). A very diverse group of grapes that makes up one heck of a wine with flavors of dark fruits, clove and cedar. For those cold nights, a wonderful pairing with Fire-Roasted Tomato Bisque; and on a warm evening, try it with Gazpacho. 

Find out what's happening in St. Petewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?