It’s time to cool down

Published 8:46 pm Thursday, November 5, 2026

That little bit of morning chill is announcing the beginning of winter and a change in our choices of wines.

It is often believed that, with the temperature change, one must give up the white wine in favor of the heavier red wines. If I may revert to my ancestral language of Brooklynese, ain’t happening. I can see no valid reason for the change just to stay in vogue. The answer is yes when we change from the lighter winter fare to the heavier food of winter, but there is absolutely no reason to change our wine preferences unless you are planning to entertain a Grand Duchess or a recently vested knight.

At all times, let the wine accompany and harmonize with the meal rather than the vice versa. To aid the reader in their choice, I recently sampled some wines that will fit an upcoming situation, that are readily available and easily affordable wines to fit the occasion, the season and/or the occasion.

Josh Cellars 2024 Chardonnay ($12.95)

Josh Cellars is a California vintner that makes wine to be enjoyed, not worshipped because of the producer’s name, fancy label or excessive price tag.

This modestly priced wine offers all that one seeks in a Chardonnay. The aroma is a mix of tropical fruits balanced by a modest amount of oak in the background.

The flavor is a merry-go-round of peach and lemon wrapped in a cloak of toasted oak which continues onto the finish.

This wine’s low price belies the quality that is offered and is a wine that I believe can be the equal of the usually very pricey French Chardonnay wines.

Concha Y Toro Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc ($7)

From Chile’s preeminent wine producer comes a sauvignon that supports the company’s name and commitment to quality.

This wine is about as true to the definition of a classical Sauvignon Blanc as one can get, with the aroma featuring suggestions of lime and grapefruit. The flavor continues the citrus theme, adding a mild grassy background.

The high mineral content of the wine, a trademark of all Chilean wines, adds an extra layer of complexity. Do not become a price snob. This is a very fine wine that is a perfect accompaniment to warm-weather food, even for door deliveries and takeout, and also makes an excellent sipping wine.

Campo Viejo 2025 Garnacha ( $12.99)

Running a close second behind the Tempranillo is the Garnacha, a variety not often seen as an individual wine but plays a role as a wine to be blended with other red wines to soften them and to amplify the fruit flavors and aromas.

The aroma of this wine is alive with a collection of summer berries. Raspberry, strawberry and blackberry intermingle with a noticeable cherry element, along with a floral hint of summer flowers and just a hint of oak, all of which follow through to the finish, which is long and a flavorful kaleidoscope.

This wine too is a great indication of what expert winemakers can do with a grape variety and the huge quality of the modern Spanish wines.

Rodney Stong 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon ($35)

This is an excellent example of a California Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

All of the interesting and enticing flavors found in far more costly Cabernet Sauvignon wines are present in this wine.

A deep garnet color introduces depth, flavor, warmth, and finesse, and it opens with a pronounced pomegranate and licorice aroma.

All of the interesting and enticing flavors found in far more costly Cabernet Sauvignon wines are present in this wine. The flavor of berries, ripe cherries and cassis are underscored by gentle oak. The finish is very long and is a prime example of a near perfect cab that is still affordable.

​Bennet Bodenstein is a wine enthusiast and book author whose column appears in publications throughout the country.