As for handling, all the motoring press and programs like top gear actually commented on the fact that probably next to the Ford Focus, the MK5 Golf (and especially the GTi) was the best handling hatch of it's day and I concur.
I only have a soot chucker but with 180+hp and 375nm of Torque, and with good rubber (Good Year F1 Asymetricals in my case), then it takes a lot for them to break traction in the wet or dry. Obviously as had been said, in these current wintery conditions with black ice and snow everywhere, any powerful non 4WD car is going to struggle no matter what quality of tyres are fitted (unless of course they are proper winter tyres).
Andrew