Winter is the perfect excuse to slow down, stay in, and savor the simple pleasures! Good wine, comforting food, and meaningful conversation. While wine tastings are often associated with vineyards and sunny patios, hosting a wine tasting at home in winter can be even more intimate and memorable. Think candlelight instead of tasting rooms, cozy layers instead of crowds, and conversations that linger just as long as the wine in your glass.

The best part? Hosting a wine tasting doesn’t require formal training, expensive glassware, or a sommelier-level vocabulary. With a little intention and a relaxed mindset, anyone can host a winter wine tasting that feels effortless and fun!

Choose a Winter-Friendly Wine Theme

A theme makes your tasting more enjoyable and less overwhelming. It gives structure to the evening and gives guests something to talk about as they move from pour to pour. 

Cozy Whites & Textured Wines

Winter whites don’t have to be light and delicate! It’s all about choosing expressive whites with body and complexity.

• Companion Wines Yellow Star Chardonnay – Rich layers of fruit with balanced oak influence, perfect with creamy or roasted dishes.
• Companion Wines Lodi Symphony 2021 Blanc – Aromatic and textured, with exotic fruit notes that stand up to winter flavors.
• Tenuta Regaleali Leone Blend 2022 – A white blend of Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer and Moscato to give the wine structure, aromaticity and acidity. 

We recommend serving these before your reds to gently transition palates!

Bold Reds for Cold Nights

These wines are rich, full-bodied, and perfect for winter sipping — especially when paired with roasted meats, stews, or grilled dishes.

• Companion Wines Companion Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 – A Napa classic aged 18 months in 100% French oak, bursting with blackberry, smooth tannins, intense oak, and a hint of tobacco. This wine is big and bold, ideal for winter evenings.
• Companion Wines Lodi Syrah 2019 – Opens with musky tobacco on the nose before revealing apricot and fig aromas, with jammy fruit that lingers on the palate.
• Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor Mendoza Malbec 2019 – Plush and dark-fruited with deep plum and smooth tannins, this Malbec brings bold flavors and velvety texture to your winter lineup.

Starting with lighter-bodied reds and progressing to the more full-bodied Cab and Syrah gives guests’ palates a chance to warm up gradually.

One Grape, Different Regions

This theme highlights how terroir and winemaking change the expression of a single variety.

• DAOU Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 – Elegant yet powerful, offering dark fruit and layered complexity from Paso Robles.
• Quilt Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 – A Napa-style Cab with structured tannins and rich blackcurrant flavors.
• Marietta Arme Estate Grown 2021 – A beautifully balanced interpretation of Cabernet with nuanced spice and fruit.

This tasting lets guests see how the same grape expresses itself around the world! We recommend 3 to 5 wines for a comfortable winter tasting. This gives enough variety to explore, but not so many that palates fatigue!

Pair with Comfort-Driven Bites

Winter wine tastings naturally call for richer, heartier pairings. As temperatures drop, our palates crave foods with more depth, warmth, and texture; the perfect match for fuller-bodied reds, creamy whites, and expressive blends. Comfort-driven bites not only complement winter wines, they encourage guests to linger, sip slowly, and enjoy the experience without feeling rushed!

The key is keeping food simple and stress-free. A few well-chosen bites go a long way, and everything doesn’t need to be cooked from scratch. Thoughtful grazing allows guests to taste at their own pace while naturally enhancing each wine. These dishes include cheese boards featuring winter-friendly cheeses like aged cheddar, gouda, blue cheese, or alpine styles that pair beautifully with bold reds and textured whites. Charcuterie boards layered with cured meats, dried fruits, roasted nuts, and olives add both flavor and visual warmth. For something heartier, consider warm dips, soups served in small cups, or savory bites like meatballs, mushroom risotto, or puff pastry pies. Focus on complementary flavors rather than perfection! The goal isn’t to create a formal pairing for every wine, but to offer foods that make the wine taste even better. 

Cheers to Staying In

Wine tasting at home is a simple way to slow down, connect, and enjoy the season. Without pressure or pretense, it’s about sharing good wine, good food, and great conversation in a space that feels comfortable and inviting! Hosting doesn’t have to be perfect, a few thoughtfully chosen bottles and a relaxed atmosphere go a long way. If you’re ready to make staying in even better, join Club Jeroboam with us for curated wines selected to shine all winter long. Cheers to cozy nights and memorable pours!