Your cart is empty

Wines to Indulge in This Autumn

By Annemarie D'Alessandro

If you’ve been outside recently, I’m sure you’ve heard the crickets getting louder at sunset and felt the chill in the breeze. Pretty soon the leaves will begin to change and drop off the trees, and you’ll have to grab a jacket when you leave the house. And, as summer comes to a close the popularity of summer wines will also begin to drop off. But what makes a wine a summer wine, and what wines are perfect to drink during the colder, shorter days of fall? Read on to learn more and to check out some bottle recommendations!

In the simplest of terms, summer wines tend to be lighter in color and brighter in terms of flavor (think light-bodied white wines and rosés!). These kinds of wines are great during the summer because they’re more refreshing in the heat and they tend to embody more tropical, summery fruits. On the other hand, fall wines tend to be fuller in body but not quite as full and dark as a Cabernet Sauvignon. Usually, as the days get shorter and colder, the wine you drink should get darker and fuller. Some common favorite grape varietals in the fall are Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, and Merlot because they tend to feature a decent amount of fruit but are also not too heavy. As fantastic as those three varietals are, I’ve curated a list of varietals and recommendations that may not be as common but are also fantastic options to enjoy throughout the entire fall season!

First up we have Barbera. Barbera grapes will give the wine a nice dark red color, but don’t let that fool you! This varietal will give the wine berry and cherry notes you crave from heavier, fuller-bodied reds, but the acidity balances and lightens the wine so it isn’t as dense. If you happen to find a Barbera wine that was aged in oak, you’ll also be able to taste flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and spice! Villa Sparina’s Barbera del Monferrato 2018 produces a wonderful Barbera wine from the Piedmont region in Italy. It really brings out the dark berry flavors and the long finish makes it even easier to savor with a warm stew on a chilly fall night! Give it a try for only $16.99.

If the Barbera varietal is too acidic for you, look for Dolcetto! This varietal hails from Italy as well but produces wine that tends to be on the dry side and less acidic than Barbera. It also boasts a palate bursting with fruit, licorice, and bitter flavors to give a well-rounded balance. The Pecchenino Dolcetto di Dogliani San Luigi 2018 is a great option to try as it really allows the flavors of currants, raspberries, blackberries, and prunes to shine while being complemented by sweet tannins. It’s also an organic wine and you can purchase your bottle from us for only $17.99! 

Grenache is another great option and depending on the region your bottle comes from the flavor profile can be drastically different. If you would like your wine to feature heavier flavors of raspberry and clove, try finding a Grenache from Spain, Australia, or the United States. On the other hand, if you purchase a Grenache from France or Italy you’ll be greeted by flavors of dried strawberries and herbs. Both flavor profiles are fantastic so you really can’t go wrong! Unfortunately, it can be hard to find a wine that is 100% Grenache, and if you do find one the price is usually steep. Luckily for you, we carry a Grenache from Grace Wine Company here at Passion Vines and it is currently on sale! For $26.39 you can taste pure Grenache from five different vineyards in California, giving the wine a very unique flavor that includes hints of khus attar, rose petal, and even saffron!

Wines that are great for fall can also be blends; one of the best blends for fall is one containing Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre varietals. With this kind of blend, you’ll be able to taste the fruity notes from the Grenache, but the Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes bring additional flavors of lavender, baking spice, and green herbs to give a fuller mouthfeel that you simply won’t get from the Grenache on its own. Another positive note is that these blends tend to be much gentler on your wallet so you can still enjoy some Grenache without breaking the bank! A wonderful blend that we carry is Domaine Jaume’s Côtes du Rhône 2018. The blend is produced in France in Côtes du Rhône of the Rhône Valley and it contains all three varietals as well as Carignan – a varietal that is starting to gain more traction and popularity within the wine world because it can be used to make more affordable medium-bodied red wines that feature flavors of cranberry, cured meat, and baking spice (hello fall flavors!). Grab a bottle, or two, for just $13.49.

Not a huge fan of fruit-forward wines? Look no further! Cabernet Franc is a wonderful varietal that tends to deliver some strawberry and plum notes that are balanced by flavors of chili, bell pepper, and sometimes peppercorn. Some of the best Cabernet Franc wine is from the Loire Valley (France) or Colchagua Valley (Chile), but keep in mind that if the climate of the region where the wine is produced is cooler, then the resulting Cabernet Franc will tend to favor the more savory flavors mentioned above. We carry a wine from Bodegas Renacer – the Punto Final Cabernet Franc Reserva 2015 – which is produced in Argentina but still features notes of black pepper, eucalyptus, and fresh mint. The wine is also aged in French oak barrels for a year before bottling so you’ll most likely taste some notes of vanilla and chocolate as well as the oak! Its long finish makes it a great wine to savor by itself or with a nice warm plate of pasta. Pick up a bottle to try for $11.99

Our last varietal feature is for those of you who crave a richer style wine with a higher ABV. Zinfandel grapes can create fall in a bottle with flavors of jam, smoke, cinnamon, raisin, chocolate, and tobacco. The flavor profile alone makes me picture myself drinking wine sitting next to a warm campfire with friends on a chilly autumn night. The ABV for Zinfandel wines tend to soar to 15% and above, so drinking a glass or two is sure to warm you up! If you’d like an intense Zinfandel, look for bottles from Lodi (Napa Valley), Sonoma Valley, and the Sierra Foothills of California. If you’re thinking you might want a bottle that is a little less rich, try to find a bottle produced in Puglia, Italy! This fall I would recommend giving the Peachy Canyon Zinfandel Lodi 2017 a go. Zinfandel has been the flagship varietal of Peachy Canyon for a long time now so you know you’ll be getting a quality Zin! And for only $19.99 a bottle, it’s definitely worth seeing for yourself all that this grape has to offer – and sharing with friends and family during the fall get-togethers! 

That’s all I’ve got for this week! All of these varietals are definitely worth checking out sometime this fall, and it might give you something interesting to explore if a second wave of the pandemic comes to fruition. If you don’t want to branch out too far, we also carry plenty of Beaujolais, Pinot Noir, and Merlot, so if you stop by we can help recommend a new bottle that you might enjoy. And don’t forget – we do half-case and full-case discounts on wine!

 

 

All sizes are 750mL unless otherwise noted.
Vintages, ratings and product packaging (images) are subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability are subject to change.
Artwork does not necessarily represent items for sale.

Sign up for our Newsletter
Sign Up
Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved Website Powered by WineFetch