Perfect Wines for the Fall

Fall is here, with the holidays not so far away now! Which means it’s time for me to share some of my favorite wines for the season. For this installment of “The Wines I’m Drinking Now” blog series, I have carefully curated five beautiful wines for you to try – three whites, one rose’, and one red. Let’s talk wine!!

When autumn arrives, many wine lovers start transitioning from the lighter white and pink wines that kept them cool in the summer heat to bigger, bolder red wines that pair nicely with the cooler weather and the food we typically enjoy during the season (things like soups, pot roasts, meatloaf, and roast chicken to name a few). But the truth is, fall is the perfect season for a wide variety of wines that include many different colors and styles: richer, but still elegant whites; robust rose’s, and yes, big bold reds.

Rose in the fall you ask? You bet! Because rose wines come in many styles, from the light, almost effervescent and pale pinks, to the rich, slightly tannic and almost red in color rose wines. It’s the latter that pair so perfectly with the season. And for those cooler weather whites, I really enjoy the traditional French varieties that have more heft and body to them but remain sophisticated and even elegant in style. These varieties include Chenin Blanc, which hails from the Loire Valley of France, along with many of the white grape varieties from the Rhone region of France such as Viognier, Grenache Blanc, and Roussanne. And of course, Chardonnay from the Burgundy region of France. All these varieties are now grown in the United States and producers are creating beautiful, delicious versions of these wines.

Lastly, there are few red grape varieties that pair well with the fall season. My favorites are Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. Here are five of my favorite wines that I’m drinking this fall (and will be drinking all winter as well!).

2021 Saldo Chenin Blanc – California ($25):  Saldo is a second label for the Prisoner Wine Company. This wine is mostly Chenin Blanc, with a small amount of Muscat and Verdelho added into the mix. And it’s absolutely delicious! If you’ve never tasted Chenin Blanc, I would describe it as the beautiful offspring of a marriage between the Pinot Gris and Chardonnay grapes. It has the zippy acidity and light-to-medium body of a Pinot Gris, along with the richness and fruit-forward flavors of the Chardonnay grape. There is little to no oak, so you taste the pure expression of the Chenin Blanc grape in this stunner of a wine. I get notes of apricot, tangerine, and lemon with this wine. And it’s lush and lean at the same time. This is my favorite wine of 2024 – run, don’t walk to pick up a few bottles – I promise you won’t be disappointed!

2023 Early Mountain Rosé Quaker Run Vineyard – Virginia ($35):  Early Mountain is making the absolute best wines in Virginia right now. Located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville, they produce amazing sparkling wine, Petit Manseng, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. And their rosé made from Merlot and Cabernet Franc are fantastic as well. This single vineyard rosé is made from the Cabernet Franc grape and is intended to mirror the more robust style of rosé made in the Tavel region of France. That means it’s a darker wine than most rosé, and it’s also much richer in flavor. It even has a bit of tannic structure. Completely dry, this wine drinks more like a very light red wine than a pink wine. But it still has the fruitiness and acidity of rosé wine. It’s the perfect balance between elegance and heft that makes this a wonderful wine for drinking out on the deck on a cool sunny autumn afternoon, along with a nice charcuterie platter! This wine is available on-line from the winery, but it sells out quickly once it's released (usually in early Spring). It’s definitely worth the trouble to find a bottle!

 Cooper’s Hawk Cotes du Rhone Vin Blanc (non-vintage) – Rhone region of France ($22):  Cooper’s Hawk is an upscale restaurant chain that makes their own wine and has tasting rooms integrated into their restaurants. The food is great (modern American in style), and the wines are pretty good as well! They have a long list of over 30 different wines available at their restaurants and for purchase from their tasting rooms, but they also release a new “limited edition” wine each month for patrons and wine club members. A couple of months ago they released two wines that showcased the grape varieties from the Cotes du Rhone region of France – one white and one red. Of the two, their white wine, which is a blend of Viognier and Roussanne, is my favorite. This is a lovely wine that shows nice floral notes along with richer fruit flavors like tangerine, apple, and pineapple. It’s a full-bodied wine with nice acidity and light oak on the finish. This wine is available from their tasting rooms in any of their restaurants (or from me if are really interested – I can pick some up for you if you don’t have a Cooper’s Hawk nearby, or just come visit Laurie and I and we’ll share some of our stash with you!).

2023 Daou Chardonnay – Paso Robles CA ($15): Daou never disappoints, and this wine shines much brighter than most Chardonnays at this price point. It’s a fantastic deal for the price – a beautiful, elegant Chardonnay that drinks like one costing three or even four times the price! Everything about this wine is restrained: the fruit is bright but not overpowering, with notes of honeysuckle, peach, and orange; the acidity is bright too but well-integrated so as not to be off-putting; and the oak is light and subtle, adding texture and a hint of richness to the wine that elevates it to the next level. This beauty gives the Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay, another of my great value wines, a run for its money! And best of all, it’s readily available and both larger box and smaller independent wine stores. Try the Daou Cabernet Sauvignon as well – just as great a value as this Chardonnay and just as tasty as well!

2021 Saldo Zinfandel – California ($25): My second Saldo selection for this fall, and for good reason. This lovely Zinfandel hits all the right notes, with robust fruit, soft tannins, and an amazingly long finish. It has nice earthy scents on the nose along with dark berry fruit. The wine tastes of dark cherries, blackberries, and black pepper, along with light tobacco notes. Everything about this wine is subtle, soft, and perfectly integrated. The tannins are mellow and smooth, and the finish long and inviting. This is a great wine to sip on its own on a cool fall day, but it also pairs wonderfully with any pasta dish, roasted meat, or even a nice cheese plate. And it's even better with fire-pit Smores! This wine is a perfect choice for a party and is a crowd pleaser that appeals to both red and white wine drinkers – serve it and see for yourself!

My next installment of “Wines I’m Drinking Now” will focus on my favorite premium wines to get you through those cold winter months. Until then, give these favorites a try and enjoy!