7 Reasons to Drink Red Wine in Winter
With the holidays upon us, the desire to raise a glass in celebration is seemingly universal. This is a time of year to slow down and take a moment to reflect on the past year and to set our most thoughtful intentions for the upcoming year. For so many of us, taking a pause can be a concerted effort. We are unaccustomed to downtime and rarely do we afford ourselves a moment to contemplate and dream. Enter the winter red wine. Drinking red wine in winter is a custom, but it’s more than that too. If you have noticed that the colder months bring out a pension for winter red wine in you, you are not alone. There are many reasons why folks will find themselves drinking red wine in winter.
While it has been scientifically studied that those living in the colder regions of the world are known to consume more red wine during the winter months, it is actually true of warmer regions, too. Picking up a bottle of winter red wine to enjoy over the long nights of winter is not just a romantic notion. It turns out there are a number of reasons we may experience a preference for drinking red wine in winter months.
1. Increased Blood Flow
Alcohol increases our flood flow which is one reason why the winter months bring about an increased love for red wine. If you can, close your eyes and imagine sitting in a cozy place, perhaps among friends or next to a fire sipping on a glass of red wine. You can almost feel the warmth, can’t you? Drinking red wine in winter gives us that sensation of warmth and that extra flush in our cheeks.
2. Germ Buster
Red wine can be high in antioxidants and with the winter months keeping everyone indoors, some extra antioxidants can go a long way. Winter months and the colder weather are known to bring about common colds and more. If you needed another reason to drink red wine during the winter, getting some germ-busting antioxidants on board is a terrific reason.
3. Heart Healthy
Did you know that moderate consumption of red wine can be a really heart healthy choice? Drinking red wine in winter can actually be helpful in reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke.
4. Connection
Enjoying winter red wine can foster connections to people both within and outside of your circle of friends and loved ones. Wine lovers tend to be enthusiastic about sharing their love and enjoyment of red wine. Enjoying a bottle among friends is a great way to foster connections and keep in touch. Likewise, talking to wine enthusiasts around the world, or in your own community can be an amazing way to increase your social circle and meet new and interesting people. Whether it’s online or in person, sharing a love of wine can be a great connector, conversation starter or even the basis for new friendships.
5. Get in the Holiday Spirit
Whether you love the holidays or you simply can’t wait for them to be done with, drinking red wine can give that extra boost to the winter festivities. Wine is something to gather around, a spirit that brings about connection and conversation. The simple act of stopping at a local wine shop to pick up a bottle on the way to a holiday party can put us in the mood to celebrate. Can you think of anything more spirited than putting on your best holiday party clothes, or even the ugliest Christmas sweater ever, and arriving at a friend’s house with a gorgeous bottle of thoughtfully chosen red wine? What a way to make an entrance!
6. Catch the Sales
Winter wine enthusiasm means sales. During the winter months stores and wineries want to cultivate a relationship with customers which can mean sales, sales, sales. Wine sales are a fantastic way to discover new wines that you have never tried. Exploring different wine regions and different vintages can be extremely rewarding. And if you can save some money while you are at it, even better, right?
7. The Pairings
I don’t know about you, but when I think winter, I think food! There is nothing like the smell of a roast in the oven or a delicious sauce or soup simmering on the stovetop. Whether it’s a big family meal for the holidays or a small and intimate meal, winter and food seem to be in concert with each other just as much as winter and red wine. In my house, we use the long dark days as an excuse to stay inside experimenting with new recipes and trying our hand at cuisines from around the world.
Whether or not we are successful on any given evening, one thing is for certain, we are enjoying a bottle of red wine with our meal. Part of the fun of cooking is choosing the wine that best compliments the food we are serving. The opportunity to experience new pairings is one of the best reasons to drink red wine in winter.