Winter is slowly creeping in to Washington, and as the thermometer begins its decent in to the chilly territory, the first thing that that most wine lovers think of is reaching for a big red wine. After all, big red wines are the perfect accompaniment for cold weather fare, such as stews and chili. But what about white wines for weathering winter weather? Most consumers usually think of white wines as warm weather companions. However, there are many white wines on the market that can be enjoyed all year long. Like wool scarves and flannel sheets, big white wines can provide warmth and contentment. Pair them with comfort foods such as white bean chili or roasted chicken and you have a match akin to red wine and steak.

The essential characteristics that I look for in winter whites are relatively straight forward. It’s really all about structure. I like white wines that carry a lot of weight and density in the mouth and fruit notes centered around pear, peach, roasted nuts and tropical fruits.