A Sommelier’s Favorite Wines for Fall 🍂🍷
There’s something about fall that makes me want to completely change what’s in my wine glass.
After a summer of crisp rosé, Albariño and Champagne, cooler weather has me reaching for wines with a little more texture, spice and richness. But I’m also not quite ready for the huge, heavy reds of winter.
These are a few of my favorite wines for that in-between season.
Whites
Vouvray (& other Chenin Blanc)
If you haven't explored Vouvray yet, fall is the perfect time. Vouvray comes from France's Loire Valley and is made from Chenin Blanc, one of my favorite grapes because it can be incredibly versatile.
Depending on the style, you can find flavors of apple, pear, quince and honey, sometimes with a touch of sweetness. That combination feels made for fall foods, especially anything involving pork, roasted squash or warm spices.
Chenin is one of those wines I wish more people drank. Depending on where it's grown and how it's made, it can range from crisp and mineral-driven to richer, rounder and even sweet.
For fall, I love the combination of apple, pear, quince and sometimes honeyed flavors, along with Chenin's naturally high acidity. It gives you enough freshness for warmer fall days but enough texture to pair beautifully with roasted chicken, pork, squash, root vegetables and all of those cozy fall flavors.
And don't stop with France. South Africa makes some incredible Chenin Blanc, and it's a great region to explore if you want to see just how versatile this grape can be.
Unoaked Chardonnay
I know Chardonnay can be polarizing, but hear me out.
If the big, buttery style isn't your thing, look for unoaked Chardonnay. Without oak taking center stage, you get more of the grape's fresh apple, citrus and mineral characteristics.
It's crisp enough for those lingering warm fall afternoons but has enough body to pair with richer dishes as the weather cools down.
White Rhône Blends
White Rhône wines don't get nearly enough attention.
Depending on where they're made, you may find grapes like Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc in the blend. These wines tend to have more body and texture than the light whites we drink all summer, often with beautiful stone fruit, floral and herbal notes.
If you're normally a Chardonnay drinker and want to branch out this fall, start here.
Reds
Grenache
For reds, Grenache is such a great transition into cooler weather. It's typically packed with ripe red fruit, but you can also find pepper, herbs and spice. It's flavorful without necessarily feeling huge or heavy, which is exactly what I want on those first cool evenings of the season.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo just feels like fall to me. Think dark cherry and plum with savory notes that can include tobacco, leather, vanilla and spice, particularly when oak aging enters the picture. Pour it alongside roasted meats, mushrooms or a cozy Sunday dinner and you'll understand why it belongs on this list.
Pinot Noir
This might be the ultimate fall red. Pinot Noir can give you beautiful red cherry and cranberry flavors alongside earthy, savory notes. It's also incredibly food friendly. Roast chicken, mushrooms, pork, Thanksgiving turkey...there are so many possibilities.
Primitivo (Zinfandel)
When I'm ready for something a little richer, I'll reach for Primitivo or Zinfandel. These wines bring plenty of ripe fruit and spice and are especially good once grilling season turns into braised-meat-and-comfort-food season.
Sangiovese
And finally, Sangiovese. Bright cherry, herbs, earth and fantastic acidity make this one of my favorite food wines. There's something about a bottle of Sangiovese next to pasta with a slow-cooked tomato sauce that makes it officially feel like fall.
All of these wines will make you feel the fall vibes and level up your wine game! Pick one you've never tried, make something cozy for dinner and let me know what you think!