The Winter nights are cold. And dark. The need for a warm, hearty meal is ever present in our minds. And as the richness and heartiness of our meals grow in winter, so too does the richness and robustness of our wines. It is not hard to see why. Red wines have the body needed to match our Winter fare. And even lighter styled reds may be more intense and concentrated than white wines. So, it is really no wonder that our thoughts gravitate towards rich red wines as the temperature plummets. They are truly winter warmers.

Here are three red wines that are a great place to start if you are looking for winter warmers …

Guigal Cotes du Rhone Red

This is a fruity French red wine with a definite savoury side. There is plenty of ripe raspberry fruit that has been enriched with a generous sprinkle of gentle cinnamon, thanks to languishing in large and old oak barrels. It has more than a hint of sage for added interest. It is fuller bodied, with powdery fine tannins and a finish of sweet raspberry jam. This is an excellent choice with lamb, or with wild boar sausages with truffled mash. (£12)

The Organic choice for your winter warmer ….

The Hedonist Shiraz

The Hedonist Shiraz offers many things to many people. It is made from grapes from biodynamic vineyards in Australia’s McLaren Vale, a region known for its soft, juicy, immediately approachable shiraz. There is plenty of peppery, spicy black berry, blackcurrant fruit up front. This moves seamlessly to a blueberry and liquorice finish. There is a moreishness to this wine. It has the ability to match widely and not just with meats, but also with tomato based vegetarian dishes.  (£14)

Something a little special ….

Muga Reserva Seleccion Especial Rioja

Bodega Muga is a family run winery in Rioja and is one of the names that have become synonymous with Spain’s most famous region. The Seleccion Especial is a classic Rioja blend of Tempranillo, Grenache, Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano. The culmination of an excellent vintage and extended ageing is a rich, smooth and fruity morsel. This is a wine that wraps around your mouth like a comforting hug. Can’t beat a thick cut steak or a flaky pastry pie with this choice. (£26)