Wine A match for Alpine food? Snow bother at all

ONE of the best ways to enjoy wintry weather is in the comfort of a mountain retreat, imbibing the joys of a catered ski chalet holiday. But you don’t have to be a skier to indulge in Alpine dishes and replicate the homely atmosphere. Along with a glass of wine, comfort food such as a cheese fondue or warming casserole can make being stuck indoors not such a bad thing after all. PRISTINE WHITES Waitrose Gruner Veltliner 2015, Austria (£6.99, Waitrose) Austria’s signature white wine grape produces refreshing wines with a hint of white pepper and spice, with a citrusy, herbal character. Try Waitrose own label with its lively acidity to cut through the fat and it won’t overpower the light nuttiness and fruity flavours of gruyere. Zalze Vineyard Reserve Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2015, South Africa (£8.99, Co-op) This chenin has apple and tropical fruit flavours with honeysuckle aromas, good minerality and a crisp, clean finish. The freshness and acidity have the edge to cut through a platter of charcuterie if your bread falls off the fondue fork. FIRESIDE REDS McGuigan Black Label Malbec 2016, Australia (£7, Morrisons) The mighty malbec is Argentina’s flagship grape, but if you find the wines too heavy, this medium-bodied style shows all the blackberry, blueberry and plum flavours, with hints of chocolate, violets and spiced fruit, but incorporates the lighter elements of French malbec to bring out the best of both worlds. Notte Rossa Primitivo Di Manduria 2015, Italy (£10, Marks & Spencer) This full-bodied primitivo is a plum choice with sweet black forest fruits, earthy notes and traces of vanilla, chocolate, cherries and plums. With structured tannins, it’s the best choice with a casserole or spicy stew if you want to match weight with weight.