Standard convention says that during the colder days of winter, a hearty red wine is the one to pick. And, while that’s not wrong, there are also white wines that are well-suited for winter drinking.

Winter white wines are not the bright, fruity and refreshing ones that you may normally think of, such as Sauvignon Blanc, but rather whites that are a bit bigger and more powerful in flavor such that they pair well with heartier winter dishes.

And, these winter whites don’t need to be extra chilled in a standard refrigerator. Winter whites should be served in the 50-55° F range.

Here are just a few examples of winter whites that you may consider:

• Chardonnay (lightly oaked)

• Chenin Blanc

• Riesling (off-dry & sweet)

• Verdejo

• Viognier

Looks for reviews of winter white wines in upcoming Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week reviews. Cheers!