Delicious Wines for Cozy Fall Evenings

With a nip in the air and freshly fallen leaves on the ground, autumn is the perfect time to switch up your wine selection. But it’s much more complex than grabbing reds for fall and white wines for spring! There are a variety of wines that wonderfully encapsulate the cozy flavors and atmosphere of the season. Learn more about the best wines for fall with Lone Point Cellars.

Pinot Noir

Bright acidity and silky tannins make light-bodied Pinot Noir an excellent choice for all of your cozy fall dinners. Flavors and aromas can vary depending on where the grapes were grown. For example, French Pinot Noir may be earthier, whereas Washington state wines like Lone Point Cellars’ feature hints of dark cherry and raspberry.

Pinot Noir’s versatility makes it one of the best wines for fall! You can pair it with a wide range of dishes and small bites:

• Charcuterie 

• Grilled asparagus

• Roasted lamb, pork, and chicken

• Grilled steak and filet mignon

• Soft, nutty cheeses, like brie or goat cheese

• Mushroom risotto

• Dark chocolate

• Chocolate-covered strawberries

While it’s a great dinner pairing, Pinot Noir is also one of the best wines for couples enjoying a quiet night indoors. Savor the fruit-forward notes on your palate as you watch your favorite show, or compliment its flavors with a piece of quality dark chocolate.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular and beloved red wines year round. But it’s also specifically considered amongst the best wines for fall. This is primarily thanks to its full body and intense dark fruit flavors, like black currant and blackberry. These lingering flavors are complimented by aromas of vanilla and spice – perfect for autumn!

Cabernet Sauvignon’s bold flavors pair well with rich, hearty, and cozy fall dinners. It has a tendency to overwhelm lighter fare. Wine and foods should compliment, not overpower, one another. Steak and lamb are great examples. The high tannins and acidity in Cabernet Sauvignon cut through the fattiness of these meats and clear the palate, so each bite is better than the last. Not a fan of these dishes? This rich vineyard wine also pairs well with:

• Medium-rare burgers

• Stuffed or grilled portabella mushrooms

• Hard cheeses – aged cheddar, gouda, gorgonzola

• Eggplant parmesan

Cabernet Sauvignon isn’t just one of the best wines for fall dinners. It makes for a good evening wine and dessert pairing, as well. Dark chocolate is its ideal partner. The rich, subtly sweet flavors of dark chocolate balance the fruitiness of the wine. Pour yourself a glass of Cab with a slice of dark chocolate cake or chocolate truffles to see for yourself.

Sauvignon Blanc

It may surprise you, but this white wine is one of the best wines for fall! Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and typically features notes of citrus and melon. Though that doesn’t sound very autumnal, it’s the perfect pairing for light seasonal dishes like seafood and chicken. You’ll also enjoy it with green salads with fresh tomatoes and goat cheese. 

Sauvignon Blanc shares the versatility of a quality Pinot Noir. It always manages to highlight the flavors of a dish without masking its distinctive character! This makes it one of the best wines for couples looking for a lively white wine to pair with their cozy fall dinners and desserts. Here are a few of the best wine pairings for fall:

• Fresh salads with a tangy vinaigrette

• Pesto pasta and pastas with herbed tomato sauces (citrus-forward Sauvignon Blanc)

• Creamy pasta dishes (best with oaked Sauvignon Blanc)

• Greek dishes such as pastas and salads

• Rosemary chicken

• Light and tart desserts – fruit tarts, lemon cake, white chocolate

Petit Verdot

Petit Verdot is arguably the best wine for fall. It’s a dark, deep red – almost close to a purple hue. And its flavors are equally as enveloping. This red wine is full-bodied, with flavors and aromas of violet, spices, and dark fruits like plum and black cherry. It’s fall in a bottle! 

Petit Verdot is bold and generally features a medium acidity. This makes it an exceptional pairing for rich and fatty dishes (much like Cabernet Sauvignon) such as lamb chops and medium-hard cheeses. It also stands up to umami-rich foods like truffles and shitake mushrooms.

The complex and robust flavors of Petit Verdot make it a good evening wine for the season. Decant it early in your evening to soften its texture and enjoy a smooth glass.

Malbec

The rich flavor profile of Malbec solidifies its place as one of the best wines for fall. You’ll smell aromas of dark fruit – huckleberry, plum, black cherry – and experience a jammy taste on the palate. Some Malbecs also have notes of coffee and leather. It’s quite a unique wine! You’ll also appreciate this wine for its deep purple, fall-like hue.

This is the best fall wine for couples seeking a bold and smooth glass they can enjoy as is; Malbec’s dark fruity flavors hold their own. But it can also make a fine accompaniment to cozy fall dinners. Malbec pairs especially well with earthy spices and a range of red meats. Try pairing a glass of dry, full-bodied Malbec with lamb, pot roast, or empanadas.

It’s challenging to pair desserts with dry wines like Malbec because they often taste bitter beside sweet desserts. But if you’re in the mood for dessert, chocolate cake is an excellent option. Chocolate is one of the few desserts that compliment the wine’s fruit notes. Cheesecake is another good pairing for this autumnal evening wine.

Savor the Best Wines for Fall

Rich, full-bodied wines exquisitely compliment the brisk air and spiced foods of the season. But there’s no need to limit your choices. Many wines are enjoyable year round, including red blends and rosé. Follow your palate to choose the ideal wine for your cozy fall dinners and every moment in between. From award-winning red wines to white wines, your perfect bottle awaits at Lone Point Cellars.