Sure, temperatures might be dropping below average this winter, but does that really matter if you’ve got a blanket, Netflix, and a fantastic bottle of red wine to curl up with? Summer saw us sitting outside with glasses of rosé and prosecco, but autumn and winter are the time for bold and hearty reds that will warm you from the inside out. To help keep you warm as the weather gets colder, we’ve selected five of the best vegan red wines for winter.
All of the wines on this list have a certain elegance to them. Whether you’re vegan or not, these fine reds should satisfy your palate – each has a character of its own that is smooth yet balanced. The best news? All of the wineries featured below use organic practices when producing their wines, meaning that each of these reds is aged naturally with no chemicals at all. And as you’re stocking up for winter (and the upcoming holidays), you can find them all in our Vegan Wines shop!
2011 Château Beauséjour La Petite Robe Poivrée – Bordeaux, France
It’s no secret that this is one of our favorite French wines, and not just because it has the Vegan Wines logo on the label now! The name of this velvety Bordeaux literally translates to “the little peppery dress” and there could be no better description for it! The owner of Château Beauséjour, Pierre Bernault, makes only the most top-notch wines – no fining, filtering, or shortcuts allowed. With notes of cherries, blueberries, and of course, pepper, this unique, full-bodied red wine is perfect for cold winter nights and serving alongside hearty dinners.
2018 Aerea Gamay Pure – Yamhill, Oregon
The Oregon winery Aerea is all about the details when it comes to their wine production, using minimal intervention in the cellar to create this bright magenta wine with notes of candied cranberries – perfect for the holidays, right? You may not be as familiar with Gamay as you are with other popular red varietals, but trust us, this is a very easy-drinking red. As if you needed any more convincing, the owners say this wine will beam “a little Yamhill County sunshine into your life to pierce the dim blue and gray.” Sounds like something we all might need mid-winter…
2015 Terre Del Gufo Portapiana – Calabria, Italy
This full-bodied Magliocco is fruity, rich, and bold. As a red wine that hails from Southern Italy, its makers at Terre del Gufo recommend serving it with a plate of seasoned cheeses or traditional Italian food. That means it’s the perfect partner for a big plate of pasta – and isn’t that what you really want when you’re not planning on leaving the house on a cold night? It’s got a beautiful depth but also a high alcohol content, so yeah, it’s great for a cozy night in with family, friends, or, well, solo!
CJS Proprietors Red – Finger Lakes, New York
Another obscure red grape that we’re happy to recommend, Frontenac is a French-American hybrid that hails from Minnesota. (FYI, hybrids are gaining popularity with wine geeks nowadays.) One of our favorite domestic reds, this wine is filled with luxurious flavors like chocolate, blackcurrant, cherries, and plum, with low tannins for a smooth sipping experience. It’s earthy with a touch of oak for structure – if you’re into that – and a crisp acidity. We suggest decanting it for about 30 minutes to allow it to breathe and really come into its own.
Buy it here!
2017 Serracavallo Sette Chiese – Calabria, Italy
Another Italian red, this barrel-aged wine by Serracavallo is made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Magliocco Canino (an ancient Calabrian grape varietal). It’s medium-bodied and delicious with pasta or plant-based cheeses. As the sommeliers and chefs say, “If it grows together, it goes together,” so why not try it out with some pasta that features other southern Italian ingredients like Calabrian chiles, garlic, lemon, and olive oil?
