Fall is an amazing season to be a wine lover. Crisp styles of summer can linger refreshingly into the first few weeks of autumn. Bolder flavors step up in all styles; red, white and rosé. Pairing options are aplenty with amazing fall treats and thanksgiving fests. Days that get darker earlier have us looking for ways to find sunny moments in new ways - like exploring a new region or grape. We may linger longer over the nuances of flavors as we gather indoors or get lost in good books. Ah yes, fall is an amazing season to be a wine lover.
Wine Styles
There is something comforting about a glass of wine at the end of the day, no matter the season. It feels extra comforting in fall, when the sun sets earlier and the air gets crisp. This time of year is a great time to bring out bolder expressions of rosés, spicy white wines and light bodied reds. Really, all wine styles can shine in fall. While we may not be reaching for crisp, refreshing styles of mid-summer, whites and rosés have such a brand range of styles that they should most certainly be considered as the weather cools. When the calendar turns to October 1st, you do not have to stop drinking those styles. It is a great time to explore more medium and fuller bodied whites and rosés. Rosés do not always come as light bodied, many are medium to full body, darker in color and richer in flavor - both in dry or slightly sweet styles. And we won't leave red wines out - this is the time for light bodied and medium bodied reds to shine.
Wine Flavors
What flavors and aromas do you associate with fall? (Other than pumpkin Cinderella). Baking spices, vanilla, apples, warm fresh toast. These are all flavors and aromas that can be found in wine. Perfect for sipping solo or with traditional fall meals, such as pork and apple sauce. Thanksgiving is in the fall - with tables spread of dishes and plates, meat, potatoes and veggies. There is a wine to match it all. Again, the versatility of whites, rosés and reds this season.
Atmosphere
Early fall, we still have plentiful sunshine and open patios for dining - even more so this year in 2020. We may need a few extra layers to bundle up in, but sitting outside with a glass of wine on a fall day, watching the foliage change and the glowing orange sunsets....brilliant. As we head indoors are frosts arrive and dark evenings, the warming notes in fall wines and bolder flavors make good and lively company.
Enjoyment
In summer, living is easy. We want to kick back and enjoy a crisp, light glass of wine as we soak in the warmth before it hibernates. (Okay, at least for those of us like me that live in New England). There is plenty of joy to be found in sipping a wine this way. In fall, it is a great time to learn to really taste our wines. To really look in the glass after we pour, swirl and smell the aromas and slowly taste to pick out all the nuances the winemaker painstakingly developed. As we come off the summer and into busy schools and holiday seasons, it is a nice break from the day to cherish each sip of wine. Further, in doing this we can start to build our personal library of likes and dislikes in wine.
Examples
The following wines are great wines to consider drinking during the fall months:
Medium and full bodied whites, with richness on the palate. (Ex. Chardonnay, Fiano, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier)
Medium and full bodied whites, especially those that are known for their spice and stone fruit profiles (Ex. Gewurztraminer, Grüner Veltliner)
Light and medium bodied red wines (Ex. Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Carménère, Merlot)
Red wines that have fall-spice friendly notes for food pairings (Ex. Barbera, Blaufränkisch, Carignan (try me with Thanksgiving dinner!)
Here's wishing you all a safe and fabulous fall!
~Cheers & Ears