Picture this: a cozy window seat with feet stretched out across it, a favorite book that calls to be read in hand and the perfect mix of winter aromas wafting from a glass of wine on the end table. The scent and taste of that winter wine may have hints of oak, chocolate, nut or fall and winter fruits—all things that make one think “cozy.” While Long Island’s wineries boast summer wines with hints of citrus and floral, they also produce a bunch of wines that bring warmth to a cold winter day.
Red Wine
Port Jefferson’a Pindar offers the 2014 Merlot, a red with black and red fruit notes. Due to its oak aging, the wine holds hints of vanilla and toast. Wintertime can be synonymous with big meals for holidays and heartier dishes in general. The 2014 Merlot can be perfectly paired with robust dishes such as duck, salmon and beef.
Each bottle is $12.99. To purchase, visit www.pindar.net.
Blend
A blend of five Bordeaux varieties—including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot—the 2013 Ember from Suhru Wines in Cutchogue offers hints of vanilla, plum and cranberry flavor with plum and cassis scents. These aromas and tastes remind of holiday meals like Thanksgiving and Christmas, making 2013 Ember a festive wintery wine. Aged for 12 months in Hungarian oak, the wine has a soft, plump mid-palate and lingering finish.
Each bottle is $20. To purchase, visit www.suhruwines.com.
White Wine
While white wines may not seem like winter wines with their reputation of sweetness, Anthony Nappa Wines changes the perception with its 2014 Sciardonné Wine Enthusiast. The chardonnay offers streaks of honey and apple cider spice, giving the wine a cozy and wintery appeal. Fermented with indigenous yeast and unoaked, full malolactic fermentation gives the chardonnay a creamy, almost palate-coating richness.
Each bottle is $20. To purchase, visit www.anthonynappawines.com.
Dessert Wine
Coffee, black cherry and dark chocolate. These are the flavors of Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2015. A red wine made from only select fruit at the northernmost section of the vineyard, the dessert is perfect for chocolate and coffee lovers alike to enjoy with a piece of pie or as a stand-alone treat.
Each bottle is $28.99. To purchase, visit www.baitinghollowfarmvineyard.com.
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine may not seem to be a drink for the winter, but Sparkling Pointe House Vineyards and Winery’s 2014 Reserve Blanc De Blancs has aromas of meyer lemon, pear and honeysuckle that lead to a palate of baked apple, toasted brioche and almond biscotti. The baked apples remind of apple pie while the toasted brioche and almond biscotti make one think of comfort foods.
Each bottle is $68. To purchase, visit www.sparklingpointe.com.
Black Box Wines’ Limited Edition Holiday Sleeve
Stick a bow on this box and you’re good to go. Black Box Wines is showcasing holiday spirit with limited-edition packaging to celebrate the winter season.
Now available, each beautifully decorated 3L box of Black Box Wines is equivalent to four regular bottles of wine and stays fresh for up to six weeks after opening, perfect for sharing among friends and family this holiday season.
For more information, visit www.blackboxwines.com. Retails for $24.99 in local liquor stores.
