The seasons are changing right before our eyes, and what better way to jump into fall than with some recommendations on a few of our fall wine favorites.
The wine connoisseur would call these “transitional wines” because the air is starting to get crisp yet it’s not truly cold yet. You can hold off on the heavy reds and the mulled spice wines for now, but you might want to switch from your summer Pinot Grigios and Sauvignon Blancs to some cooler weather autumn wines.
An Oaky Chardonnay
This type of wine is perfect for the fall months because of its rich and deep in flavor. An oaky Chardonnay pairs perfectly with chicken dishes, meaty fish (halibut or cod), shellfish (lobster, shrimp, crab, scallops), simply seasoned pork dishes, and meals that have a silky texture, such as risottos, creamy soups, sauces, and pasta. They also pair well with fall staples such as pumpkin pie and caramel apples.
Some find it challenging to distinguish between an oaky Chardonnay and a summer Chardonnay. The experts made it easy for us by giving us keywords to look for on the back of the bottle such as vanilla, almond, toast, nutty, and buttery. You also want to check the color of the wine. An oaky Chardonnay will have a richer, more golden hue, while a stainless steel fermented Chardonnay will be a lighter color.
A Fuller-Bodied Pinot Noir
Next up on the list of an ideal fall wine is Pinot Noir. This wine is known as a gateway red for white wine drinkers, is usually light-bodied, and can be chilled in the summer. When looking for a more robust Pinot, as the winos call it, it’s said that a “Liberated” Pinot Noir is to be richer than the average Pinot when paired with some fall fruits.
The best food pairings for a very bold Pinot Noir are rich meat dishes and creamy cheese, as these can stand up to the wine’s intensity. Some rich meat dishes include lamb, pork, chicken, and lean beef. Creamy cheeses that pair well with this wine can include Gorgonzola, Brie, Camembert, Morbier, or Pont-l’Eveque.
Pinot Noir is also one of the best wines to pair with a turkey dinner, so if you’re making the big Thanksgiving feast this year, make sure to have this on your menu!
A Spicy Shiraz
The last wine you should be enjoying this fall is a spicy Shiraz. This wine is perfect for sipping around a campfire on a crisp cool evening while enjoying s’mores or some dark chocolate. It also pairs very well with dishes that include braised beef, chicken, duck, lamb, steaks, chops, tuna, venison, aged hard cheeses, and grilled vegetables.
Enjoy a Glass of Wine with Us!
All this wine talk have you thirsty? Join us tonight at Cork Bar & Restaurant for some fine dining paired with some classic fall wines of your choice, or we are happy to suggest pairings for you. Reserve your table today!