Wine

Top 5 Autumn Wines

It’s a tad too cool for a chilled Sauvignon Blanc, and way too warm for a classic big, full-bodied Cabernet – Autumn can be an awkward season for choosing wine, but it need not be. It’s that time of year when change is everywhere, and autumn wine choices can be as varied as the days themselves.

So, what is a good autumn wine? Our expert Tasting Panellist and Co-Chair, Adam Walls, provides his insights into the types of white and red wines that impress during this transitional season.

RIESLING

Riesling is renowned for its backbone of mouth-watering acidity. Riesling is a perfect wine for the hotter months; don’t discount its potential to be one of the go-to varieties to drink throughout autumn. Across most of the country, we are blessed with a mild start to autumn. The days are full of sunshine, and Riesling’s ability to be really refreshing is perfect for sipping during daytime feasting and relaxing.

Riesling has this unique ability to transcend the seasons. Warm autumn days call for a crisp, energetic Riesling while perfectly contrasting the richer foods that become a signature of the cooler nights.

- Adam

As the temperature drops and the sun sets, Riesling also becomes the perfect accompaniment to the slightly richer styles of food that autumn ushers in. Again, the acidity is key, helping cut through the food's richness.

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CHARDONNAY

Chardonnay comes in many shapes and sizes. The style that has emerged today is all about letting the fruit take centre stage, with other elements, such as oak, supporting it. This medium-bodied style is the perfect match for autumn’s classic characteristics.

There is a style of Chardonnay that suits all seasons, occasions, and tastes. We crave comfort from our food and wine when the weather gets cold, and Chardonnay can offer the weight and flavour generosity that perfectly suits the autumn season.

- Adam

Once we sense the cool change in the air, we naturally look for more weight in our wines, and Chardonnay not only gives us this extra fruit weight but also offers a creamy texture to boot.

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SANGIOVESE

The famed red grape of Tuscany – an area renowned for producing wines that are as savoury as they are fruit-focused. This savouriness is the key to helping Sangiovese pair with the earthier flavours we see creeping into our cuisine at this time of year.

Sangiovese is a fabulous variety to sip, but its natural affinity with comfort food classics like pasta, pizza and ragu make it a must-have over the autumn months.

- Adam

Sangiovese has slightly higher acidity levels than many other red grape varieties, making it a perfect match for richer, slow-cooked dishes.

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GRENACHE BLENDS

Grenache is one of the most popular wine varieties now, with many straight-varietal wines being beautifully perfumed and elegant. Of course, Grenache also shines as the leading force in perfectly balanced red blends, such as the classic coupling with Shiraz and Mourvèdre (Mataro), better known as GSM.

Autumn offers a blend of warmer and cooler weather. Mirror this fusion in your wine selection and opt for a Grenache blend that skirts the med-weight to full-bodied spectrum. Supple enough to sip for an afternoon drink, full-bodied enough to pair with a myriad of comfort food dishes.

- Adam

Grenache blends such as GSM offer the elegance and perfume of Grenache with the spice and power of the more robust Shiraz and Mourvèdre. This extra muscle helps the wine offer comfort against the cold and complement the richer and fuller-flavoured autumn fair. Don’t discount these wines for lunchtime enjoyment as well; they are perfectly matched to autumn sunshine and lighter-style lunches.

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MERLOT

In the warmer months of summer, we look for lighter-bodied wines. In the depths of winter, we look for full-bodied wines. Where do medium-weight wines sit? Autumn, of course. Autumn weather can be unpredictable and can vary from warm to cool conditions on the same day – and this is the type of weather that Merlot shines in.

Merlot is known for being simple and easy to drink. Forgot the simple tag, as the best ones are full of interest, yet they are still easy to drink. They offer fruit weight and flavour that helps ward off the chilly weather and suit the best comfort food dishes.

- Adam

It is a classic medium-bodied red variety, loved for its smooth texture and ease of sipping. Today’s Merlots are better than ever, and our winemakers can tease out more structure and length of flavour than ever before.

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Now you’ve chosen your autumn wines, it’s time to create some delicious dishes to enjoy with them. From autumn salad recipes and autumn vegetarian recipes to autumn pasta recipes and hearty autumn recipes our guide to Autumn Recipes and Wine Pairings has you covered.