The days are beginning to shorten and there is a hint of chill in the air.
As wonderful as summer had been it is nice to finally have some respite from the scorching sun and oppressive heat.
With a slight shiver, you return to your wardrobe to reacquaint yourself with a favorite jacket or sweater.
Indian summer is pleasant, the warm days are still suitable for the odd BBQ, whilst the chilly evenings are best spent in front of a warm fire.
As a season, Fall mimic’s the weather conditions of Spring. The temperatures can vary widely from day to day.
The frosts appear and are soon followed by a subtle change in the color of the leaves.
Later in the season, a late afternoon walk in a quiet forest is spent enjoying the earthy autumn aromas such as the mustiness of the leaves that have fallen to the forest floor and crunch pleasantly under your feet as you savor the beauty around you.
As you turn towards home, you begin to anticipate a hearty warm meal accompanied by your favorite bottle of wine.
Tips for Choosing the right wine for Fall
As the temperatures begin to drop, you will start the transition from light fresh dishes to those that are a bit more rich and robust in flavor but not yet as hearty as the fare that you eat in the dead of winter.
As Fall truly begins to set in, your wine choices will naturally lean towards more medium or full-bodied wines.
Your desire for refreshing sweet wines disappears and your desire for something that conveys coziness and comfort becomes of paramount importance.
You delight in eating hearty soups, roasted vegetables, and rich meat dishes that are complimented by a luscious wine.
What are the best wines for Fall?
|
Wine/Grape |
Characteristics |
|
Pinot Noir |
Pinot Noir is perfect 365 days a year, it adjusts to whatever weather it is being drunk in. It is perfect on its own and also accompanied by a variety of hearty rich dishes that are typical of the season. |
|
Viognier |
Originally from the Rhône Valley in France, Viognier is aromatic with medium to full-bodied flavors of honey and tropical fruits and is the perfect match for the root vegetables that are being served. |
|
Chenin Blanc |
Chenin Blanc originally from the Loire Valley in France is a rich white wine that has pleasing aromas of apple and citrus that correspond well with fish pies, roast turkey, and dishes that are rich and creamy. |
|
Pinot Blanc |
With its light flavors and high acidity and notes of fruits from the orchard this medium to full-bodied wine is perfect for appetizers such as salads, soft cheeses, and quiche. It is also perfect to drink on its own. |
|
Merlot |
Lovely soft velvety medium to full-bodied Merlot is the perfect companion for a cozy evening spent in front of the fire or paired with rich meat dishes as well as pasta or cheese. |
|
Carignan |
The warmth of Southern France is displayed in Carignan its medium body will seduce you with its autumn aromas such as cinnamon and is the perfect companion to the traditional Thanksgiving meal or any sort of poultry, duck, or roasted vegetables. |
|
Cabernet Sauvignon |
An all-time favorite, Cabernet Sauvignon is a welcome addition to any meal as its full-body and rich dark fruit flavors and hints of vanilla lull you into paradise either served on its own or alongside a nice cut of beef or other rich red meat. |
|
Cabernet Franc |
Cabernet Franc is very food friendly with its medium body is easily paired with any traditional autumn dish or even a pizza night. |
|
Chardonnay |
The King of white wines Chardonnay is a wine that is perfect for any time of the year. Its creaminess, and hints of vanilla, tropical, and orchard fruits make it perfect to drink alone or paired with cream-based dishes, white meats, and seafood. |
|
Red Bordeaux Blends |
Red Bordeaux is the perfect autumn warmer, pairing well with casseroles, red meats, and mushrooms. |
|
Champagne/Sparkling wines |
Sparkling wines are always welcome any time of the year. Their versatility with many different dishes as well as being easy to drink on their own makes them a stable favourite. |
|
Syrah |
Solf, bold and full-bodied, Syrah from the Rhône Valley in France is full of black licorice, white pepper, and even a meaty aspect, it is perfect with savory autumn dishes. |
|
Tempranillo |
Medium-bodied Tempranillo, though dry has a lovely mix of herb and fruit aromas and is perfect with spicy Mexican dishes but also tasty with grilled or smoked meats. It is also quite delightful to drink without food. |
|
Zinfandel |
The aromas of Zinfandel (cherry, plums, black pepper, and cinnamon) create a sense of enjoyment during the fall season and its full body marries well with grilled fish, roasted vegetables, and pungent cheeses. |
Texan wines are perfect for Fall sipping
While there are many amazing wines from around the world to discover, do not forget that your local Texan winemaker(s) will have a vast array of wines that make impeccable fall sipping.
Texas has a reputation for cultivating many different grape varieties with great success and it would be a shame to miss out on the fantastic local wines that are available.
It is the perfect time to sample some of these wines from the local area.
As always your helpful wine professional will be able to assist you in finding some of the finest wines that are available in the Lone Star State as you celebrate the arrival of Fall.
Though Fall is the preamble to winter, take the time to enjoy every moment of this season to the fullest, and enjoy the comfort of being warm and cozy accompanied by your favorite wine.
Learning what wines are appropriate is a perfect way to make the transition from summer to the earthy, beautiful transitional season that Fall represents.
Enjoy the chill that starts to settle in by embracing it with your favorite dishes and wines.
Variable weather would suggest that it is preferable to have a selection of different wines on hand to complement the menu choices that are suitable for the weather conditions of any given day.
