Bold whites for winter nights
Who says white wine is only for summer? Think again, says Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine’s Drinks Editor James Viner.
Winter calls for a change of pace. Swap light summer whites for rich, full-bodied, barrel-matured bottles that bring warmth, texture and comfort to long winter evenings. A world away from July’s crisp, unoaked Sauvignons and Muscadets, these more substantial winter white wines offer ripe fruit, oaky nuance, savoury complexity and real weight.
Served slightly warmer – 11-14°C (cellar-cool 13°C is ideal) – they unlock aroma and texture often lost to over-chilling. From opulent Chardonnays to bold Viogniers, these six bottles show white wine isn’t only for baking summer terraces.
And as Burns Night approaches on 25 January, three carefully chosen supermarket whiskies under £30 take centre stage, pairing effortlessly with haggis and spirited poetry. Winter whites, smart choices, and a little Scottish flair – here’s what to pour now. Cheers to 2026!
WHITE WINES
1. C de Sec du Château Closiot 2023, Bordeaux, France (£14.95, The Wine Society, 13.5%)
A classy, judiciously oaked blend of 85% lemon-and-beeswax Sémillon and rare Sauvignon Gris from renowned Burgundy grower Jean-Marie Guffens’ project in Barsac. Racy, persistent, gastronomic and excellent value. Bullseye brilliance!
2. Stellenbosch Manor Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2024, South Africa (£15.50, Tesco, 13.5%)
Mouth-filling, textured Cape Chenin Blanc, fermented and aged in French oak barrels. Aromas of honeyed apple and orchard fruits lead into notes of lemon curd and stone fruit. Hello creamy chicken, pork belly, mild Indian dishes, and smoked haddock.
3. Domaine Begude ‘Le Paradis’ Organic Viognier 2023, France (£16 mix 6, Majestic, 13%)
Characterful, lightly barrel-aged (40% in 600L French oak), certified organic Viognier from sunny, elevated, south-facing parcels in the Pyrenean foothills of Limoux – Languedoc’s coolest corner. White peach and honeysuckle mingle with tangy acidity. Ideal with grilled fish, tagines, or Saint-Marcellin.
4. G de Château Guiraud Bordeaux Blanc Sec 2023, France (£18, Co-op, 13.5%)
This Classed Growth Bordeaux marvel boasts room-filling aromatics, a creamy, honeyed mouthfeel, and layers of white peach, citrus, stone fruit, and subtle cut grass. A decadent Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc blend, crafted by ex-Château d’Yquem winemaker Sandrine Garbay, aged six months in oak on fine lees.
5. Larry Cherubino Pedestal Chardonnay 2024, Australia (£15.90-£17.99, Noble Green Wines, Oxford Wine Company & The Wine Reserve, 13%)
From one of Margaret River’s finest producers – situated in a remote area where ocean breezes cool the vines – this elegant Chardonnay melds citrus and stone fruits, with subtle, integrated oak adding depth and flavour. A stylish choice for Australia Day (26 January).
6. Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco Rioja 2020, Spain (£20, down to £16, 28 Jan-3 Mar, Waitrose, 13%)
Nutty, heady, toasty, food-friendly white Rioja marrying mellow spice, vanilla pod, yellow fruit, almonds, and peach with a lengthy finish. A complex old-vine Viura and Chardonnay blend, aged around seven months in new French and American oak. Loves grilled meats, tuna, lobster, and mild Indian dishes.
Whisky spotlight:
3 Burns Night Single Malt Whiskies
Get ready for Burns Night (25 January), first held in 1801 to celebrate Scotland’s dram-loving national bard. These saporous sub-£30 supermarket single malts offer fantastic value without compromise. Slàinte mhath!
7. Glen Marnoch Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (£18.49, Aldi, 40%)
A crisp single malt with lemon peel, winter spice, orange marmalade, dried fruits and a hint of smoke – straightforward, well-crafted, and superb with smoked salmon or haggis.
8. Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Single Malt Speyside Scotch Whisky (£23, Sainsbury’s, 40%)
Smooth, light, fruity, and malty, this great-value whisky delivers green apple, honey, and soft orchard fruit flavours.
9. Waitrose No.1 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (£29, Waitrose, 40%)
Smoky, phenolic, and bold, this pukka peated Islay single malt lingers on the palate and opens beautifully with water.
