FIRESIDE COMPANIONS: PEEP THESE 3 BOLD WINTER WINES FOR SOME SERIOUS COLD WEATHER SIPPING

Winter is officially here, and that means it’s time to dip into those big, soulful reds and serious, opulent AF whites we all love so much.

Now a lot of folks getting into wine automatically associate all serious red wines with Cabernet Sauvignon - or the King of Grapes. This is all well and good, but Cabernet Sauvignon’s regal reputation usually means you’re going to fork out a pretty penny for a bottle of the stuff. These two reds I’ve selected are comparable in body and tannin - yet sell for a fraction of the cost.

WINTER RED FOR THE WILD ONES: VACQUEYRAS FROM THE SOUTHERN RHÔNE

TRY: 2019 Vignoble Edmond Latour Vacqueyras $28.00 @ Stanley’s Wet Goods

If you’re a Syrah fan, and love dark fruit - Vacqueyras will definitely be your jam. Vacqueyras was the second Côte du Rhônes Villages to get its own AOC, and the wines that come out of this place are an amazing value. Other regions like Gigondas and Châteauneuf de Pape get all the hype from the Southern Rhône. CDPs (Châteauneuf de Papes) have the prestige factor - which usually means they’ll cost a pretty penny.

Gigondas used to be known as inexpensive, and for a long time it was one of the best kept secrets for bargain hunters looking for a Châteauneuf-esque experience. But that secret got out (shakes fist at the sky) and demand has made this appellation more expensive. So, I suggest checking out this deep deep cut, Vacqueyras. Vacqueyras wines are like Côtes du Rhône on steroids. With ratios of Grenache and Syrah, Vacqueyras wines have all those delicious dark berry aromas, intermingled with bacon and dried herbs. They are rustic, yet definitely have a regal vibe about them and are perfect for some serious winter sipping. This Vacqueyras from Edmond Latour channels major bargain Châteauneuf vibes. It’s super powerful, meaty and smoky, with a super delicious black cherry fruit roll up vibe.

WINTER WHITE FOR THE DECADENT BETCHES EVERYWHERE: CHARDONNAY & SAVAGNIN FROM THE CÔTES DU JURA

TRY: Domaine de Carlines Côte du Jura Chardonnay/Savagnin

Burgundy shmurgundy. Save your money like the hipster Somms do and start buying Chardonnay from the Côtes du Jura. The Côtes du Jura is a little region wedged in between Burgundy and the Swiss Alps. The Jura specializes in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Trousseau, Ploussard, and Savagnin. Basically, if lighter-bodied reds and elegant whites are your jam, the Côtes du Jura will be one of your fave regions. Trust me, all the cool kids are doing it.

The Domaine de Carlines Côtes du Jura is pretty much everything a Chardonnay-lover could hope for. It tilts more towards the leaner, mineral-driven expression of Chardy and has some really attractive oceanic saline qualities. Picture a star bright wine, with elements of freshly picked lemons. There’s a really attractive herbal quality on the nose, and it smells like dried marjoram and fresh wild flowers. A super pretty wine for when you want to feel all fancy and shit under $30.00.

WINTER RED FOR THE “BIGGER IS BETTER” TYPES: TANNAT FROM URUGUAY

TRY: Bodega Bouza Tannat Reserva $28.00

Tannat is such a powerful, inky and tannic red grape it makes Cabernet Sauvignon look like a little b*tch. This red grape from Uruguay is typically priced to steal, and has loads of smoky, dark chocolate aromas. Tannat has loads of structure and could definitely benefit from some decanting - some could I would recommend decanting for an hour! Despite this grape’s massive BAMF (bad mofo) energy, Tannat is actually one of the healthiest grapes around. It has the highest levels of antioxidants and oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs.) OPCs are phytonutrients that are good for your health.

The Bouza Tannat from Uruguay is no exception. This wine is a big, serious AF boi with a rich chocolatey smokiness. This wine has so much body that when you take a sip of it, you’ll literally feel like Adam Levine slipped into your DMs. Sorry I just had to go there.