As the cold season approaches, many people find themselves wanting red wine. With temperatures dropping sharply in winter and richer, heartier meals becoming more common, the opportunity to choose wines with a "stronger body" increases.
At "CRAFT WINE SHOP," we've gathered Japanese red wines to enjoy as winter approaches. Please try these attractive Japanese wines that will warm you from the heart during the cold winter.
Why we crave red wine in cold winter
In winter, you strangely want red wines with a stronger body. Spring calls for rosé, summer for refreshing white or sparkling wines, autumn for medium-bodied reds or rich whites—choosing wines to match the season is part of the fun.
Now, let's talk about wines you want to drink in winter. Why do we crave robust red wines in winter?
Pairs well with winter meals
In winter, the dishes served at the table tend to be warm and rich. You crave comforting dishes like beef stew, stuffed cabbage rolls, long-simmered beef or pork, and pot-au-feu. In Japanese cuisine, hot pot dishes such as sukiyaki, braised pork belly, sweet and savory simmered fish, and simmered dishes appear on the table. Because winter meals often contain more fat, you may unconsciously want red wines rich in tannins that help break down that fat. Of course, there are also full-bodied white wines that pair well with stews, chanko hot pot, and crab shabu-shabu, so depending on the dish, you might choose those as well.
However, red wines with a somewhat strong body tend to have higher alcohol content and are often enjoyed at room temperature due to their flavor characteristics, which can help warm the body. When you want to feel cozy in a warm room while eating rich, hearty dishes, you naturally want to choose a red wine with a strong body.
Perfect for winter evenings
Winter is a season when you spend more time indoors than outdoors. Especially on winter nights, many people find the greatest joy in relaxing in a warm room, immersing themselves in their favorite activities. At such times, the wine that satisfies both heart and body is what you want. Among them, full-bodied, long-aged red wines have the strength to satisfy on their own, allowing you to enjoy a fulfilling wintertime. Their high alcohol content and powerful flavors also make them ideal for sipping slowly over time. Even if not full-bodied, red wines with complexity, fragrant aromas, and long, soothing finishes are perfect for winter evenings. Of course, on days off when you relax watching snow fall outside the window, these kinds of red wines provide a sense of fulfillment. In the cold season, what satisfies the wine lover's heart is likely a red wine with a strong body.
CWS Recommendations! 3 Red Wines Perfect for Winter You Want to Drink Now
From here, "CRAFT WINE SHOP" introduces recommended Japanese red wines to enjoy now. We've gathered red wines perfect for drinking as winter arrives. Please be sure to check them out.
Yatsugatake Haramura Winery / NOMAZA 2023
Located in Haramura, Nagano Prefecture, known as the "Village of Falling Stars," Yatsugatake Haramura Winery offers a red wine perfect for winter: "NOMAZA 2023." The name "NOMAZA" comes from the Suwa region dialect phrase "nomazā," meaning "let's drink," used as a friendly invitation. This wine is sure to bring warmth to your wintertime. "NOMAZA 2023" is a balanced blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and wild grapes, with a slightly medium-bodied, soft character. It retains sharp acidity, with mellow tannins and a complex flavor profile. It's a wine you want to enjoy as the season shifts from late autumn to early winter.
Iwanohara Vineyard / Muscat Bailey A 2021
This red wine is made by Iwanohara Vineyard, the birthplace of Japan's representative black grape variety, Muscat Bailey A. The grapes are 100% Muscat Bailey A, crafted luxuriously to maximize the variety's potential. It offers a rich impression with the variety's characteristic floral aroma, spiciness, and complex scents from aging. The palate is soft with gentle flavors and silky tannins. Notably, the finish is elegant and graceful, with fruit aromas that linger long and long. While Muscat Bailey A often suggests a light body, this is a medium-bodied wine leaning toward full-bodied, allowing you to fully enjoy its richness. It pairs perfectly with rich winter dishes and is a highly recommended red wine.
Chant Clair / Gourna Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Barrel Aged 2017
Chant Clair, a winery gaining attention for expressing the terroir of Hokuto City's Akeno, produces a red wine perfect for the arrival of winter: the "Gourna Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Barrel Aged 2017." The label features a charming cat, but the taste is powerful and elegant. The soft Merlot and structured Cabernet Sauvignon are blended in perfect balance, combining rich fruit flavors, a smooth mouthfeel, sharp acidity, and silky tannins. Chant Clair wines are known for their refreshing acidity and their evolving character after opening. They pair excellently with rich dishes, especially those with yuzu pepper, sansho pepper, or spices, making them a great match for Japanese-style spare ribs. They also go well with sauce-based dishes, so okonomiyaki is recommended.
Chant Clair / Gourna Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Barrel Aged 2017
3,960 yen (tax included)
More details about the wine here
Summary
When winter comes, you naturally want to reach for a robust red wine. Not only do they pair well with rich dishes, but they also make for a cozy companion when enjoying a warm room during wintertime, encouraging you to savor red wine slowly.
"CRAFT WINE SHOP" introduced Japanese wines perfect for enjoying as winter arrives. These are all notable Japanese red wines we want you to try right now. Why not pick one up and give it a try?
