As days grow shorter, leaves change color, and the air becomes cool and crisp, our wine preferences may shift from brighter, refreshing summer styles to bottles with a bit more depth and warmth. The following list will give you some ideas for the perfect wine and food pairings to welcome in autumn!
Robert Young Estate Chardonnay Red Winery Road Alexander Valley 2018
Sonoma’s Alexander Valley AVA tends to yield Chardonnay in a rich, round style like the 2018 Red Winery Road bottling. Fruit sourced from the Robert Young Estate are aged on the lees and in French oak barrels for 15 months. This results in a creamy, mouth-filling expression to pair with a flaky chicken pot pie. ($17.99)
Pellegrini Hurst Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2016
Get ready for a palate bursting with classic Russian River flavors of ripe cherry, raspberry, cola, and baking spice. This single-vineyard Pinot Noir has enough weight and warmth to complement longer evenings, as well as autumn favorites like maple glazed duck. ($19.99)
92 Pt. Graves White Bordeaux 2019 Château Lugaud
A high proportion of Semillon grapes in this white blend from Bordeaux adds distinctive orchard fruit flavors and textural richness. Meanwhile, honeysuckle notes from Muscadelle and citrusy Sauvignon Blanc provide balance and complexity. Creamy butternut squash risotto will pair wonderfully with a chilled bottle. ($13.99)
Annick Bachelet AOP Fleurie Red Beaujolais 2019
Annick Bachelet’s fragrant Beaujolais cru bottling from Fleurie is made from 100% Gamay. It offers an elegantly structured mouthfeel along with notes of cranberry, floral, spice, and fresh minerality. When you need a vibrant wine that won’t overpower your Thanksgiving dinner, this red wine delivers. ($13.99)
93 Pt. Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019 Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Cuvée des Deux Soeurs
This southern Rhône Grenache-based red blend contains small amounts of Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. The combination provides a lush wild berry- and herb-flavored bottling. Savor a glass alongside Moroccan-spiced lamb chops with roasted vegetables. ($22.99)
Azienda Agricola Monchiero Fratelli Langhe Nebbiolo 2018
This estate-bottled red is composed entirely of Nebbiolo and hails from Italy’s Piedmont region. Intense aromas and flavors of red fruits, rose petal, leather, and cocoa meld with a firm, fine-grained texture. All that calls for pappardelle topped with sautéed mushrooms and burrata cheese. ($14.99)
Bodegas Virtus Ribera del Duero Virtus 2014
Along with Spain’s Rioja region, Ribera del Duero produces some of the best Tempranillo. After ample bottle age, this 2014 Virtus showcases a textbook smoky black cherry, violet, and licorice character. They balance ripe tannins and a full-bodied structure. Here, you simply can’t go wrong with tender beef short ribs braised in red wine. ($14.99)
KWV The Mentors Orchestra Western Cape South Africa 2018
One of South Africa’s leading wineries crafted a 2018 blend that includes all six of Bordeaux’s red grapes. With a classic flavor profile of blackcurrant, tobacco, and bell pepper, this full-bodied wine will make an excellent partner for filet mignon with rosemary butter. ($17.99)