You know that fashion credo not to wear white in the winter?
Well, it's been debunked.
Go ahead, wear white in the winter.
The same goes for white wine and winter.
Most definitely, carry on drinking whites this winter.
While cold weather tends to steer us to the warming heartiness and comfort of red wines, there is a place for whites in November, December, January, February and March.
After all, this winter you'll continue to eat salads, chicken, fish, pork, firm cheeses and creamy pastas -- the foods that perfectly pair with whites.
White can also be your happy hour wine this winter, your brunch or lunch sipper or your stand-alone go-to.
The key with choosing a winter white is to make sure it's interesting, textured and complex -- a match for cooler weather, that chicken in cream sauce, a January mood.
My wife, Kerry, and I have test driven these nine wines and declare them ideal winter whites.
- Fort Berens Blanc de Blanc Sparkling 2022 ($40) from Lillooet
I like to start any list with sparkling because it's a celebratory kick-off to almost anything from brunch, lunch and happy hour to dinner or any gathering with co-workers, family or friends.
This bubbly bats above its weight for the price with its Champagne-method, 100% Chardonnay elegance and crisp, lemon-and-brioche profile.
- Culmina Decora 2021 Riesling ($25) from Oliver
A platinum-medal winner at Sip Magazine's Best of the Northwest Awards.
- Free Form 2020 Riesling ($37) from Summerland
Organic, vegan, aromatic and lush.
- Laughing Stock 2023 Blind Trust White ($33) from the Naramata Bench
So named because the winemaker has 'blind trust' full discretion over the blend or varietal.
For 2023 it's 100% fresh and aromatic Sauvignon Blanc.
- Laughing Stock 2022 Chardonnay ($32) from the Naramata Bench
Full-bodied and finessed, Okanagan Chard at its best.
- Phantom Creek 2022 Chardonnay ($40) from Oliver
Another premium Okanagan Chard. Yum.
- De Bortoli Re-Write the Rules Chardonnay ($21) from Australia
So named because this Aussie winery wants you to throw out your preconceived notions of what a $21 Chard is.
It's not cheap and mediocre, but affordably delicious with a come-back-for-more profile of lemon, butterscotch and flint.
- CedarCreek Platinum Sauvignon Blanc ($42)
Made by the Kelowna winery of grapes from New Zealand.
And the New Zealand style is evident from the very first sniff and sip -- gooseberry, herbs and tropical fruits.
- Tedeschi Capitel Tenda Soave 2022 ($25) from Italy
An interesting Italian white with aromas and flavours of lemon, peach and almond with the skin on.
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at [email protected]. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in this space.
