A Terrific Trio Of Winter Wines By Kurt Wieneke Winter has arrived in Indiana.While very little golf is played in Indiana in February, that doesn’t mean golfers need to take a break from enjoying a great bottle of wine. In each season, there are certain types of wines I tend to gravitate to. For now, especially on these frigid winter days, I like to pull three wines from the cellar that are both strong and savory. A well-aged Vintage Port can be an ethereal experience. The taste profile is dark plums, with hints of woodsmoke, briar, fruitcake, anise, and baker’s chocolate or black pepper. Chateauneuf-du-Pape In France, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation sits toward the southern end of the Rhône Valley, close to the border of Provence. The name Chateauneuf-du-Pape literally means ‘pope’s new castle.’ It refers toa timewhen the seat of theRoman Catholic Church was in Avignon. Chateauneuf is basically a Cotes-du-Rhone ‘on steroids.’ It has a similar flavor to a basic Cotes-du-Rhone, but with much more depth and complexity. Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a contemplative winter wine that matches well with hearty stews or roasts. The taste profile is cherry, with a complex nose of Indian spice, herbs, leather gravel, and iodine or Worcestershire. Vintage Port Whether you like Vintage, Ruby, Colheita, or Tawny Port, there’s always something for everyone in this category. Port wines are custom-made for winter, a season where you need warmth. And, what’s better than a fortified wine that runs about 20% alcohol in achieving warmth? Indiana Golf Journal
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQ2Nzk4