Food For Thought - Autumn Wines

As the end of the summer signals the return of cosy nights in, so too our appetite yearns for heartier meals and of course fuller-bodied wines to accompany them. Not completely in full winter swing yet though, here are my wine recommendations for this transition into autumn.

If you can’t quite let go of the whites yet, opt for something with a bit more texture. This wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc - for that zesty citrus hit – and Semillon which gives a lovely weightiness.

Made in Margaret River, West Australia, where the climate is surprisingly cool, it has fresh green notes of lime, kiwi and gooseberry interwoven with white flowers and tropical fruits.

While it might not be quite cold enough to bring out those big bold reds, this medium bodied Chilean Pais is the perfect in-between wine. Once the most planted variety in Chile, due to the Spanish bringing it over in the 16 th century, Pais fell out of favour as international varieties became more popular. However, winemakers have recently rediscovered it and are now championing it as their own unique variety.

With flavours of red fruits, savoury blackcurrant leaf and a touch of spice this a great option for Pinot Noir lovers that want to try something new.

As far as I’m concerned sparkling wine is an all year around affair, but I can appreciate that with the sun hiding away, crackling open that bottle of bubbles might feel a little out of place.

Come forward the sparkling red.

With a touch of tannin, this Italian sparkler is equally as happy being drunk as aperitif alone, with a plate of anti-pasti or a slice of pizza – truly the most delicious multitasker of wines. Don’t be put off that it is a Lambrusco, gone are the days when that mean sweet and sickly. This is dry, full of red and black fruit, and maintains the perfect balance between being fun and serious.

Provencal style roses maybe your first thought when it comes to pink wines, but darker styles deserve love too.

Often mistaken for being sweet, this Lebanese wine is anything but. Made with a blend of Cabernet Franc and Syrah, it is full of ripe red berries, pomegranate and a hint of spice, ending with a lovely savouriness. Perfect for pairing with foods of the region.

While understandably you may think orange wine is made from oranges, it is actually a white wine made in a red wine style. The clear grape juice is left in contact with the grape skins which leech out their colour.

This extended contact time also means that other attributes are passed on, including tannin and additional flavours. Somewhat poetically having notes of orange peel, this wine also has flavours of white stone fruit and honeysuckle.

Surprisingly good with pickled and fermented foods.