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Wine Pairings for Cold Winter Nights

Nothing compares to the cozy feeling of burrowing under a blanket by a roaring fireplace on the coldest and darkest of winter nights. The coziness level increases exponentially when you have your favorite movie playing in the background, a hearty home-cooked meal in front of you, and a glass of red wine in-hand. 

To make the most of your cold-weather red wine, be sure to serve alongside rich and meaty dishes that can fully bring out their bold flavors. Without further ado, grab some blankets and candles and get cozy — here are Byrd Vineyard’s wine pairings for cold winter nights.

2010 Byrd Merlot

A smooth wine with hints of red fruits and a long finish, our Merlot pairs beautifully with any hearty meal. Its soft tannins, fruit-forward flavors, and round body make this wine incredibly versatile. In fact, it would pair wonderfully with anything from chicken to red meat.

On a cold winter night, nothing beats a slow-cooked meal in the crockpot. Slow-cooker tacos with tender lamb, pork, or chicken would pair beautifully with a Merlot. Similarly, a white bean chili with chicken is as comforting on a chilly winter night as it is easy to throw together. Ladle into a bowl, light some candles, and pour a glass of Byrd Merlot — and you’ve got yourself an easy and cozy dinner.

Merlot also pairs amazingly with tomato-based Italian dishes. Its subtly sweet flavors bring out the richness in the sauce in dishes such as lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and chicken parmesan. Mellow Merlot also complements the umami flavors of mushrooms and creamy sauces. A wonderful dish to pair it with would be a creamy parmesan pasta with chicken and mushrooms or even a macaroni and cheese.

A cold night is a perfect night for some good-old-fashioned comfort food. A homemade pizza, chicken pot pie, or classic tomato soup and grilled cheese combo would taste amazing when paired with a glass of Byrd Merlot. The meal doesn’t have to be fancy or over-the-top to be delicious and comforting! Since our Merlot is so flexible and pairs well with practically any dish, follow your heart and pair with any comfort food you desire.

2009 Byrd Cabernet Sauvignon

Big, bold Cabernet Sauvignon is a fan-favorite for a cold winter evening meal. With notes of vanilla, tobacco, and warm spices, it is the ultimate cozy winter wine. Just add snow-covered treetops outside, a crackling fireplace inside, and a hearty, meat-based dinner.

Layered and complex, Cabernet Sauvignon pairs extremely well with rich, creamy, and meaty dishes — the meatier the better. Whether a ribeye, sirloin, beef tenderloin, or roast beef, any cut of steak would be perfectly complemented by a savory Cabernet Sauvignon. Brisket, pot roast, or braised short ribs cooked in red wine are sure-fire favorites, as their luscious sauces complement the wine wonderfully. A hot bowl of beef stew would also do the trick, especially when seasoned with herby and umami flavors such as rosemary, mushrooms, and garlic. 

Don’t shy away from the classics when pairing your Cabernet Sauvignon. A classic cheeseburger is composed of the two most popular elements to pair with Cabernet Sauvignon — meat and cheese. Whether you opt to grill a classic burger or add extra-special touches such as grilled mushrooms, crumbly blue cheese, or smoky BBQ sauce, the pairing is sure to be out of this world. 

When considering side dishes, creamy mashed potatoes and garlic roasted vegetables such as carrots or brussel sprouts would be delectable selections. A creamy and rich macaroni and cheese wouldn’t hurt, either. Also, a cheese board filled with smoky gouda, herbed brie, and aged cheddar as an appetizer or for dessert would certainly pair well with the wine. On a chilly winter evening, there is no such thing as too much meat or cheese!

With aromas of red and black fruits, cocoa, and warm spices along with fine tannins, our 2009 Byrd Cabernet Sauvignon is something special to be enjoyed with friends, family, and delicious food. Grab some blankets and enjoy!

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Holiday Wine Pairings

The holidays are quickly approaching, and we all know what that means — delicious meals and annual traditions enjoyed with family and friends. The holidays are also a fantastic opportunity to try new wines with old favorite recipes, and 2020 is the perfect year to add some new touches to old traditions by exploring different varieties of wine to pair with each course.

Holiday meals include a variety of different appetizers, entrees, and side dishes — all which can be enjoyed with deliciously bold Byrd Vineyard wines. Finding the perfect wine for your holiday dinner doesn’t have to be complicated. With Byrd Vineyard’s low tannin wines that are powerful enough to compete with the intense flavors of Christmas dinner and acidic enough to cut through the creamy and rich dishes that we dream about all year long, you have everything you need to enjoy a perfect holiday wine pairing.

2012 Byrd Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino

Fruity and bold, our Double Gold Medal-winning Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect wine to enjoy with a hearty meal and roaring fireplace on a chilly winter night. Subtly sweet and intensely succulent, this wine makes a perfect pair for any holiday dinner. 

When pairing a Cabernet Sauvignon, you can never go wrong with any red meat. Whether celebrating Christmas with a beef tenderloin, roast beef, or braised short ribs or enjoying a traditional brisket on Hanukkah, the balanced and powerful Cabernet Sauvignon is the ideal way to offset fatty red meat and bring out the best flavors in each dish. 

Cabernet Sauvignon also pairs beautifully with seasonings such as rosemary, garlic, and mint — so herb-roasted vegetables would bring out flavor intensity and depth.

2012 Byrd Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino

With notes of warm spice and sweet vanilla, our 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon makes a perfect pairing with any appetizer, side dish, or hearty entree that your holiday dinner has in store. Bold, fruit-forward, and slightly herbaceous, our Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with heavier dishes and herby, smoky flavors. For example, the sweet glaze of a honey-baked ham would deliciously complement the wine’s notes of red and black fruits. Another great option, roasted lamb with rosemary would pair perfectly with the herbaceous notes found in the wine.

As for side dishes, heavy and creamy dishes paired with a powerful Cabernet Sauvignon result in a match made in heaven. Rich and delectable mashed potatoes — or even macaroni and cheese if your holiday dinner guests are so inclined — pair well with an acidic and intensely flavored wine that can easily cut through their creamy intensity. 

2012 Byrd Vineyard Red Wine Mendocino

Our smooth and complex Red Wine Mendocino would pair wonderfully with any holiday spread. Fruit-forward with earthy and mineral elements, this wine would deliciously complement any hearty main dish. Fatty beef dishes such as a tender prime rib or filet mignon perfectly soften the wine’s tannins, creating mellow and delicious flavors. 

Red wine would be remiss if not paired with an array of bold and creamy cheeses. Hard cheeses like aged cheddar or smoky gouda would work perfectly, as the fattiness of the cheese works to tame the bold wine. Soft cheeses such as blue cheese and gorgonzola also pair wonderfully with such a powerful red wine. Lastly, you’d regret it if you didn’t add some herbed cheese to your pre-dinner cheese board. Rosemary goat cheese or even truffled brie would make wonderful additions to a delicious wine and cheese pairing. 

Cheers to you & yours!

There’s nothing like a glass of red wine to warm you up on a cold winter night, especially while surrounded by friends and family during special times like the holidays. Byrd Vineyard’s red wines make an incredible addition to any holiday meal and are best enjoyed with loved ones!

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Wine pairings

Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

When it comes to wine and food pairings, Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to match a hearty and delicious comfort meal with a rich and sophisticated glass of red wine. Byrd Vineyard’s selection of high-altitude red wines offer fruity and autumnal flavors, smooth and velvety texture, and soft tannins, perfect for pairing with the appetizers, sides, entrees, and even desserts of Thanksgiving dinner. There’s nothing quite like a sweet and succulent glass of red wine on a chilly autumn night, so be sure to enjoy these Thanksgiving wine pairings when celebrating with family and friends soon!

2010 Byrd Cabernet Shiners

Subtly sweet and intensely succulent, Byrd Vineyard’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect wine to enjoy with home-cooked comfort food and warm conversation on a brisk late-November evening. Full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon pairs amazingly with meat, so your entree and wine pairing are sure to complement each other perfectly — whether your family enjoys traditional turkey or a variety of other meats such as filet mignon, baked ham, or prime rib. Big meaty dishes with rich and herbaceous sauces bring out the earthy tones in the wine while counteracting the drying sensation from the tannins — resulting in a match made in heaven. 

Cabernet Sauvignon also pairs amazingly with cheese, so a charcuterie appetizer or even a cheese board for dessert filled with sharp cheddar and smoky gouda would steal the show before or after Thanksgiving dinner. Additionally, roasted vegetables seasoned with plenty of herbs including garlic, rosemary, mint, and dried mushrooms bring out delicious herbal notes in the wine, resulting in an unexpectedly perfect pairing. Lastly, Cabernet Sauvignon can also make a beautifully delectable dessert wine when paired with rich and bold flavors including dark chocolate, hazelnuts, and berries to bring out the flavors of red and black fruits in the deep and smooth wine. 

Serving Tip

When serving Cabernet Sauvignon on Thanksgiving, remember to open the bottle one to three hours before serving, allowing the aromas and flavors to fully develop before tasting. Also, don’t forget to serve at room temperature and to pour the wine into a large wine glass, allowing the aromas and flavors to fully strengthen as the wine comes into contact with more air. 

2010 Byrdeaux Red Wine

Dense with fruity flavors and autumnal aromas including rich berry, sweet tobacco leaf, nutmeg, and black currant, Byrd Vineyard’s 2010 “Byrdeaux” is meant to be consumed with a hearty fall meal! As smooth and velvety as it is sophisticated, our Bordeaux is the perfect wine to pair with appetizers and meats of all varieties, along with all of the delicious side dishes that Thanksgiving is known and loved for. This softer and less tannic wine pairs beautifully with cheese, making it the perfect accompaniment for a pre-dinner cheese board or a side dish of rich and creamy homemade macaroni and cheese. Fruit-forward wines like Bordeaux pair amazingly with sharp cheddar, smoky gouda, or nutty Gruyere. 

Our Byrdeaux would also be remiss if not paired with meat! Whether warming up on a cold November night with a hearty roast lamb, seared sirloin, or turkey with gravy, full bodied red wines like Bordeaux enhance the meat’s flavors and help the dish come alive. Rich juices from the meat, along with the earthy tones from side vegetables such as mushrooms, pronounced herbs in savory dishes like stuffing, and creamy sides like mashed potatoes, deliciously complement our round, smooth, and supple red wine. Not to mention, fruit-forward dishes including cranberry sauce and chocolate-berry desserts help pronounce the aromas and flavors of red fruits and rich blueberries that our Byrdeaux gracefully awakens.

How to Choose the Best Thanksgiving Wine for You

Both our rich Cabernet Sauvignon and our delicious “Byrdeaux” would make a fine Thanksgiving wine pairing along with plenty of savory comfort food and conversation with family and friends. Both varieties of bold red wines are complete with velvety  tannins, medium acidity, and succulent fruit flavors — making a delicious complement for anything from a pre-dinner cheese board to a rich chocolate cake for dessert. With both options lusciously smooth and sophisticated, the perfect Thanksgiving wine for you depends on your personal taste preferences! While similar, there are a few minor flavor differences that can help determine your ideal wine pairing. 

Aged in French oak, Cabernet Sauvignon is characterized as having a more rich and oaky flavor, as well as higher alcohol content than its relative, the Bordeaux. Cabernet Sauvignon also has strong aromas of warm spice and sweet vanilla as well as a more intense flavor of ripe fruit. The Bordeaux, on the other hand, has a more subtle fruit flavor as well as a stronger element of minerality. This red wine variety is characterized as being very concentrated, powerful, and smooth, as well as being full of sweet flavors and autumnal aromas of nutmeg, coffee, and spices. Both of these wines are sure to fantastically accompany your upcoming Thanksgiving dinner, and if you are having trouble deciding between them, we recommend that you try both! 

Cabernet SauvignonBordeaux
Rich and Oaky Flavor
Higher Alcohol Content
Aromas of Warm Spice and Sweet Vanilla
More Intense Fruit Flavor
Flavors of Nutmeg, Coffee, Spices
Lower Alcohol Content
Stronger Element of Minerality
More Subtle Fruit Flavor

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