Part of what makes this season so special are the distinctively evocative aromas of autumn. Think of piles of fallen leaves, logs burning in a fireplace, picking wild blackberries, cinnamon-spiced lattes, black licorice, apple pie and caramel candy. Such sensory delights can conjure some of the most beautiful images of autumn. So we chose to think along the same lines to create a list of wines to perfectly capture fall—in your glass.
Syrah has lots of personality no matter where it’s grown, and Northern Rhône versions are exceptional versions of this bold red wine. Northern Rhône Syrahs are packed with aromas and flavors of blue and black fruits, violets, and often black licorice, white pepper, graphite or a savory, meaty aspect. They also boast an intriguing smoky quality that gives extra appeal to enjoying a glass by the fireplace on a cold autumn evening.
Spanish Grenache, which goes by Garnacha in Spanish, packs a punch that gives many Priorat wines their spicy character. Insanely low-yielding old vines, grown on steep slate slopes, produce wines of tremendous concentration. Though often blended with Syrah, Cabernet or Merlot, you'll instantly recognize the cinnamon, licorice and cherry smells and flavors that are Grenache hallmarks, making this blend the perfect wine for fall.
“America’s grape” is also its spiciest! Benchmark examples of this crowd-pleasing red hail from the Dry Creek and Russian River AVAs in Sonoma County. Styles of this fall wine can range from lighter-bodied, full of cranberry and pepper, to full-bodied and rich, with jammy spice jumping from the glass. Great Zin pairings include favorites like saucy barbecue or grilled pizza.
From the verdant, rolling hills of northwest Oregon, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is the perfect wine for fall. These cool-climate, elegant wines express characteristics like raspberry, black cherry, black tea, forest floor, fresh earth, tobacco, cinnamon and anise, making them a real gem with fall foods. Pair with roasted chicken, portabella mushrooms and especially, with anything on the Thanksgiving table.
This white wine variety is famous for offering apple aromas and flavors, in particular a Macintosh apple dipped in honey, which makes it a great match for fall! Apples, after all, are autumn essentials, whether enjoyed fresh and crisp on their own, baked in a pie, or used to enhance dishes like pork loin or sausage stuffing. Chenin Blanc is equally versatile, ranging from dry to lusciously sweet, and from still to sparkling.
Chardonnay is also a versatile grape that can be still or sparkling, unoaked or oaked, rich and full or lean and crisp. To match with the essence of autumn, however, our focus will be on oaked versions from Sonoma. When these Chardonnays spend time in oak, particularly French oak, they pick up delightful baking spice nuances that make them especially delightful for fall.
This type of Port sees slow, oxidative aging in barrel—sometimes for decades. As a result, these fortified sweet wines develop fascinating characteristics including dried fruits, nuts, brown sugar and caramel. In other words, they are perfect for autumn and the holidays!