Winter in the Woods – A Cozy Wine Flight Gathering
Imagine stepping into a serene winter landscape—snow-dusted pine trees reaching up to a pale blue sky, their branches glistening with frost. The air is crisp, tinged with a hint of cedar and earth, grounding you as each breath feels clean and fresh. Just ahead, a cozy cabin glows with the warmth of a crackling fire, its soft light spilling through frosted windows. Inside, friends and family gather around your table, the sounds of laughter and gentle conversation mingling with the soft snap and crackle of the fire. This is not just another evening; it’s the kind of night where memories are made, where each sip and every bite brings you closer together. The world outside fades, leaving only the comfort of good company and a shared experience around the warmth of your crowded table.
In a season that often rushes by, this gathering invites you to slow down and savour each moment. It’s a celebration of intentional dining, a reminder of the joy that comes from sharing a beautiful, intimate experience with loved ones. We believe that hosting isn’t about impressing; it’s about creating an atmosphere where everyone feels at home. This gathering is about more than just a wine tasting—it’s a journey into the quiet beauty of winter woods, where earthy, smoky, and woodsy flavours come together in a single evening. Each pour, each taste, is a sensory exploration that mirrors the season’s tranquility, as if each sip brings you deeper into the heart of a forest blanketed in snow.
Imagine this night as an invitation to experience winter’s gifts with intention. With each glass of wine and every carefully paired bite, you’ll create a lasting memory, an experience that unfolds slowly, savoured one sip and one shared story at a time.
This blog is crafted to inspire you to bring the magic of winter woods to your table. With our “In the Woods” wine flight, we’ll guide you to create a gathering that captures the earthy, warm, and woodsy essence of December. Each wine selection has been carefully chosen to reflect the season’s richness, and with a few intentional touches, you’ll set the scene for an evening that’s as comforting as it is captivating. Prepare to enchant your guests with flavours that evoke the forest’s quiet beauty, helping you craft a night that will live on as a treasured memory, long after the last glass is poured.
The Pour List – Wines for a Woodsy Winter Wonderland
In this winter-inspired wine flight, each selection offers its own unique connection to the quiet beauty of the forest. These wines, rich with earthy, smoky, and herbaceous notes, come together to create a tasting experience that feels like stepping into a serene winter woodland. To elevate each pour, we’ve paired these wines with rustic, woodsy bites—each as intentionally chosen as the wine itself. So gather your crowd, set your table, and prepare to take them on a wintery journey they won’t soon forget.
Pinot Noir
Description:
Pinot Noir is celebrated globally for its light body, vibrant acidity, and delicate complexity. This varietal often expresses bright cranberry and cherry flavours, balanced by earthy undertones like forest floor and soft spice. Whether from Burgundy, Oregon, New Zealand, or British Columbia, Pinot Noir beautifully reflects the unique terroir of its region.
Tasting Tip:
Encourage guests to look for subtle notes of red berries, clove, and earthy aromas like mushrooms or evergreen. Its refined and inviting profile sets the tone for the tasting journey, offering a sense of serenity reminiscent of a snowy woodland path.
Food Pairing Suggestion:
Pair with truffle popcorn. The earthy richness of truffle mirrors the wine’s forest floor qualities, while the salty, crunchy texture of popcorn provides a playful contrast to its bright acidity.
Recipe for Truffle Popcorn
An elegant, savory snack that pairs perfectly with wine, this truffle popcorn brings a luxurious touch to your gathering.
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1/2 cup popcorn kernels
3 tbsp neutral oil (like canola or grapeseed)
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp truffle oil (white or black, depending on your preference)
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Optional: 1/2 tsp dried parsley or chives for garnishion text goes here
Instructions:
Pop the Kernels: Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add a few kernels to test the heat. Once they pop, add the rest of the popcorn kernels, cover the pot, and shake occasionally to prevent burning. Remove from heat when the popping slows down.
Season the Popcorn: Transfer the popcorn to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the melted butter and truffle oil over the popcorn and toss to coat evenly.
Add the Finishing Touches: Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, sea salt, and black pepper. Toss again to distribute the seasonings.
Serve and Garnish: Serve immediately, garnished with parsley or chives if desired.
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Pop the Kernels: Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add a few kernels to test the heat. Once they pop, add the rest of the popcorn kernels, cover the pot, and shake occasionally to prevent burning. Remove from heat when the popping slows down.
Season the Popcorn: Transfer the popcorn to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle the melted butter and truffle oil over the popcorn and toss to coat evenly.
Add the Finishing Touches: Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, sea salt, and black pepper. Toss again to distribute the seasonings.
Serve and Garnish: Serve immediately, garnished with parsley or chives if desired.
Cabernet Franc
Description:
Cabernet Franc is a versatile varietal that thrives in diverse regions, from the Loire Valley in France to the Finger Lakes in New York, Napa Valley in California, and British Columbia. Known for its medium body, smoky aromas, and herbaceous qualities, this wine often reveals notes of black pepper, dried leaves, and subtle red fruits like cherry or raspberry. Its rustic charm and warmth make it a favourite for cool evenings and intimate gatherings.
Tasting Tip:
Invite guests to savour the wine’s herbal undertones and smoky complexity. Ask them to imagine the cozy aroma of a crackling fire blending with the crispness of winter air, a sensory bridge to the forest’s edge.
Food Pairing Suggestion:
Pair with rosemary and sea salt roasted nuts. The herbal rosemary highlights the wine’s green notes, while the nuts’ rich, toasted flavour complements Cabernet Franc’s rustic warmth.
Recipe for Rosemary & Sea Salt Roasted Nuts
These warm, fragrant nuts are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, offering a woodsy flavour that’s perfect for winter gatherings.
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2 cups mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, and pecans work well)
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1/2 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a hint of heat)
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Season the Nuts: In a medium bowl, combine the nuts with olive oil, rosemary, sea salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Toss until evenly coated.
Roast the Nuts: Spread the seasoned nuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 8–10 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even browning. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the nuts cool slightly before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to one week.
Syrah
Description:
Syrah (or Shiraz) is a bold, full-bodied wine with origins in France’s Rhône Valley but now celebrated worldwide, from Australia to South Africa, California, and British Columbia. Known for its deep dark fruit flavours, smoky character, and peppery finish, Syrah delivers intensity and depth. It often evokes the richness and mystery of a forest at night, making it an unforgettable finale for this wine flight.
Tasting Tip:
Encourage guests to linger with this wine, letting it open up as they savour its layers of dark plum, black pepper, and subtle smoke. Its velvety texture and warming finish feel like sitting by a fire under a starlit winter sky.
Food Pairing Suggestion:
Serve with dark chocolate infused with a hint of chili. The bittersweet chocolate complements Syrah’s bold dark fruit flavours, while the touch of chili heat enhances its spicy, peppery notes. The velvety texture of the truffle mirrors the wine’s full-bodied richness, creating a harmonious and indulgent bite. This pairing is the perfect way to end the tasting journey, leaving guests enchanted by the wine’s depth and complexity.
On Our Table
Bring the Magic of the Forest to Your Table
With wines that reflect the earthy, woodsy essence of the season, this “Winter in the Woods” wine flight creates a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere. Popular regions like Burgundy, Loire Valley, and Rhône inspire the flight, but don’t overlook the exceptional expressions from British Columbia’s vineyards.
Each pour invites your guests to explore the season’s richness, transforming your crowded table into a serene winter haven. Paired with thoughtfully chosen bites, this tasting experience is more than a gathering—it’s an invitation to slow down, connect, and savour the beauty of the moment.
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