Why do we drink more red wine in winter? Is there something more than the serving temperature convincing us to choose red as our winter warmer? While we believe in the beauty of white wines in winter too, it is hard to deny the charm of a deep red in your glass when it is cold outside.
Regardless of the properties of the actual wine, the colour red brings warming qualities of its own. Red wine can be brilliant or deep, dark or light and ranges from the purple tones of magenta to the vibrancy of ruby, the intensity of garnet and tawny's reddish-brown. Click here to learn more about the secrets of each shade or red wine.
These warm tones can make us feel warmer even before we taste the wine and we are convinced that pouring a generous glass of red such as the La Motte Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon will warm you up physically and psychologically, just by the inviting red in the glass.
Having said that, ultimately, the warmth is in the flavour of the wine and the way it partners with winter recipes. The inviting red in the glass extends to vibrant berries and warm notes of clove, turmeric and classic cigar-box on the nose and palate - just what cold weather begs for.
These intense flavours are balanced with the tannin structure that Helderberg Cabernet Sauvignon wines are renowned for. Complex and layered, it is the ultimate wine to cosy up with on the couch and of course, it is also one of the best partners to traditional winter fare.
A traditional partner to lamb and beef, the 2023 La Motte Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon adores rich, slow-cooked dishes such as meaty soups and stews. Its depth and structure complement the comfort of roasts, grills and beef stroganoff while not being shy of vegetarian options such as earthy roasted beetroot, the gentle smokiness of charred onions and the irresistible umami savouriness of mushrooms. This Cabernet Sauvignon also loves hard herbs like rosemary and thyme in any recipe and when you serve it with a fire-side cheeseboard, go for hard, matured options such as aged Cheddar or Gruyère.
Do you feel warmer already?
Whether you join us this winter at a fireplace on La Motte or choose to cosy up at home, do so with a glass of the ultimate winter red!
