Full-bodied red wine for the Finnish winter

A full-bodied red tastes heavy and rich, and Wine Folly says it is rich enough to stand on its own. For a Finnish winter table, choose a red whose product page says full-bodied or structured, and serve it with slow-cooked meat. Below are six full-bodied reds from our shop, with the dishes their own pages suggest. We send to Finland.

What does full-bodied mean?

Wine Folly defines wine body as how heavy and rich a wine tastes. In Finnish, a full-bodied red is a täyteläinen punaviini. Wine Folly says several things add to body: a higher alcohol level, with wines above 14% tending to taste fuller, oak ageing, warmer growing climates and the grape variety. It also says full-bodied reds usually have higher tannin, higher alcohol and lower acidity than light ones.

Body is a matter of degree, and there is no fixed line. So we go by the words on each product page. If a page says full-bodied, we say so. If it says structure, we say structure.

Which winter dishes suit a full-bodied red?

Visit Finland describes two cold-weather dishes that fit the idea. Karjalanpaisti, the Karelian stew, is a rustic slow-cooked meat stew traditionally made with pork, beef and lamb, and its flavours develop through long hours in the oven. Poronkäristys, the sautéed reindeer, is traditionally served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries, and is slowly sautéed with onions, butter and often a splash of beer or stock.

Wine Folly advises pairing red wines with bold-flavoured meats, and says tannic wines balance well with fatty foods. A slow-cooked stew or a rich sauté is the kind of dish it means. This is our suggestion for these two dishes.

For more dishes, see how to choose Portuguese wine for a dinner.

Six full-bodied reds from our shop

All of these are in the red wine collection. Each detail comes from the product page.

• Escadas Infinitas Red Reserve: a ruby colour with aromas of red fruits, vanilla and cocoa. The palate is full-bodied and rich, with smooth tannins and a long finish.
• Altano Tinto Douro: a deep garnet colour, with aromas of Mediterranean vegetation, eucalyptus and pine needles, and hints of black plum and apricot. In the mouth it is full-bodied and substantial, with rich flavours of forest fruits.
• Vinhas de Murça Tinto: an intense aroma of red fruit and violets, and flavours of ripe fruit, jam and some spice. It is full-bodied, with soft but firm tannins, and the page says it accompanies pasta dishes, cheeses and most red meat dishes.
• Montaria Reserva Alentejano Red: a deep, dark ruby colour, with wood berry aromas and layers of black chocolate and eucalyptus. The palate is full-bodied, balanced with acidity and structured tannins, with a long and complex finish.
• Quinta dos Poços Grande Reserva: firm and concentrated, with ripe black fruit, balsamic and spicy notes from oak maturation, and ripe tannins. The page suggests fine meats, game and strong, intense cheeses.
• Instinto Forte Supreme Red 14%: a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet, with a full-bodied structure and well-integrated tannins. The page suggests grilled red meats, hearty stews and aged cheeses.

Our Portuguese wine buyer's guide explains where these styles come from.

What about an everyday winter red?

For regular dinners, two Porta 6 wines are worth a look. Porta 6 Reserva is described as having a dark ruby colour, aromas of wild and black berries and spices with a slight touch of chocolate, and a fruity mouth with structure. The Porta 6 Red 3L page calls it a full-bodied red with real character in a bag-in-box, pairing well with grilled meats and hearty stews. You can see the whole range in the Porta 6 collection.

How should you serve a full-bodied red?

Follow the page when it gives a temperature. The Quinta dos Poços Grande Reserva page says to open it one hour before serving and to serve it at 17 °C. The Instinto Forte red pages suggest 16 to 18 °C.

Check the alcohol on the page too. Fuller reds tend to be stronger, and Wine Folly says wines above 14% alcohol tend to taste fuller. Enjoy them slowly and with food.

How do you order red wine to Finland?

Add the wine to your cart and the cart shows the delivery cost for your order before you pay. If timing matters, contact us before you order. We sell wine only to people aged 18 or over. For a wider choice, see the wine collection.

Frequently asked questions

What is a full-bodied red wine?

It is a red that tastes heavy and rich. Wine Folly defines wine body as how heavy and rich a wine tastes, and says full-bodied reds are rich enough to stand on their own.

What red wine goes with a slow-cooked stew?

Wine Folly says to pair red wines with bold-flavoured meats. Our Porta 6 Red 3L page suggests grilled meats and hearty stews, and the Instinto Forte Supreme Red 14% page suggests grilled red meats, hearty stews and aged cheeses.

What temperature should a full-bodied red be?

Follow the product page. Quinta dos Poços Grande Reserva says 17 °C, and the Instinto Forte red pages say 16 to 18 °C.

Do you send red wine to Finland?

Yes. Add the wine to your cart and the cart shows the delivery cost before you pay.

Sources

• Wine Folly: What Is Wine Body and How To Taste It
• Wine Folly: Food and Wine Pairing Basics
• Visit Finland: What to eat in Finland, guide to iconic Finnish foods
• Product pages at garrafeiradailha.com for tasting notes, grapes and regions of the wines named above.

Please enjoy wine responsibly and in moderation. Our wines are sold only to people aged 18 or over. For facts about alcohol, visit drinkaware.ie.