Great wines to be snowed in with

Susana Balbo Crios Syrah / Bonarda '07 $15 in PA.

In Vancouver BC, we are having the balmiest winter in 2 decades. This after one of the worst in 50 years last year. The temperatures have been 12 Celsius during the day and around 7 at night (or 54:45 in degrees Fahrenheit) - quite acceptable by Canadian standards. Of course, our norms are much higher than say NYC for this time of year - probably 15-20 degrees Fahrenheit warmer - but the contrast is even more striking at the moment.

So with March-like weather in early February and freezing levels at about 4,500 feet, the Olympic ski-runs will not be ideal. But I have to say, I am not complaining. My preference is leaning toward the lighter (even white) wines at the moment as I feel Spring is just around the corner (of course, we've been fooled before). Perhaps a mid-rank 2005 Meursault to get things in gear...

For you Easterners, I would suggest keeping the whites in storage for another 8 weeks and try a nice hearty California Cabernet or perhaps a Super Tuscan.

Cheers, and keep warm!

Depends on who I was snowed in with. Perhaps a case of Winston Churchill, Salon or Krug champers (hell, I guess I'd even accept Cristal), a few of those huge tins of beluga and my partner of choice at a Japanese hotspring with cedar baths inside and stone baths outside the room. No complaints about the snow from me then... :-)

Im snowed in right now and in my opinion at this time any wines a good wine : )

Well, I'll tell you what, after thinking I would be at a great tasting tonight that was shut-out because of the weather, I went to the cellar and pulled something that I knew would do the job: Seghesio, Zinfandel 2007.

And yes,... It did the job.

Amarone would have been great, a nice Recioto even better!

Gregory - great call with the Recioto.. in the last year or so I've discovered Barolo Chinato and Moscato Rosa which have jumped to the top of my red desert wine list.

Bob, I was thinking of a loooonnggg weekend... :-)

Mmmm, Grappa, that is a very effective anti-freeze, a bit bitter, but I like that sort of taste, also good for the digestion and a good companion for the alpine skiing. Also good for the digestion is Calvados, a favorite in Bretagne and Normandy, these are not wines of course, but we must follow the thoughts that the thread provokes. Surprisingly, an Ice Cold Linie Aquavit can have quite a warming effect. As I forget which Czar said, "Man cannot live in Russia without strong drink."