Ok, I live in South Florida. I get it. We don’t really have “seasons” here, but the weather does change maybe twice a year. It might be the Connecticut boy in me, but my wine consumption is dictated by the weather and temperature. Yes, all year I drink white wine, but come spring and summer, I tend to open up more rosés and I cannot drink red wine if it is over 75 degrees. I just can’t!  But now that we are in January and the weather is ever so slightly cooler, I break out a few more reds. So pull out those winter sweaters, grab a scarf or blanket and enjoy one of my favorite reds on a cool Florida night…

This is the least expensive wine on my list, but don’t let the price fool you. It received a 90 rating from Wine Advocate! Sabor Real Joven 2008 is a great deal from Spain. The nose offers spice, tobacco, lavender, black cherry and blackberry. The taste is a fruit forward, slightly sweet, full bodied with a spicy lush finish. It’s a winner!

Let’s move on to France. Sure everyone knows and drinks Argentinean Malbecs, but let’s not forget Malbec is a French varietal and boy did they get this one right! Wine Enthusiast scored this 2008 Ch de Haute Serre Cahors Malbec 91 points. It is lightly perfumed, wood aged and shows elegance, acidity, dark currant and a hint of mint. This wine is sure to please not just Malbec lovers, but all red drinkers.

As we continue our trip around the globe, let’s not forget South Africa. I am loving Pepper Pot--an extremely affordable blend of Syrah, Mouvedre, Cinsault, Garnacha, Tannat and Viognier (just the skins). The unique aroma has ripe blackberry, white pepper and rosemary. The palate offers red fruits with a silky smooth texture. Wine Advocate liked it enough for a score of 90 points! I think you will love it too.

Ending our wine trip in Napa, we close with one of my new favorite wineries. I love all their wines, their whites, reds and rosés! This is Buoncristiani’s 90 rated OPC Proprietary Red. With an amazing aroma of flowers, blackberries, currants and pepper which lead to similar flavors on the palate with a velvety texture and a good length. It is well worth the price.

So maybe on one of our cooler days or nights here in South Florida, you might enjoy one of these beautiful red wines? Then the next day, when the temps rise to 80 again, open up that chilled Pinot Grigio!

Bill Knowles, Wine Consultant at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Boca Raton. Follow me on Twitter @abcwineBillK