We asked a wine expert for red wine suggestions that make the most sense in autumn.
When I think of fall and winter, I think of darker drinks like whiskey and red wine.
You can technically drink red (or white!) wine all year round — it’s more about pairing the drink with your food than the season. And the foods and flavors we eat do usually change with the weather, even if you’re not focused on eating locally grown produce. Yes, there are recipes on our site that are popular all year long (like Salisbury steak and taco pizza). But most people aren’t cooking a whole turkey in June, and interest in pumpkin and apple flavors spike in autumn.
So what red wines make the most sense in the fall?
We asked wine expert Rachel Brody for some advice. She’s a Wine Guide WSET Level III and the co-founder of Nouveau Wine Co. — an events company that offers a wide range of highly customized wine events. She also co-hosts the Somm Body’s Mom wine podcast.
Here’s what she said, from the most obvious (Cabernet Sauvignon) to her personal favorites:
- Cabernet Sauvignon: “It’s arguably the most well-known red wine, and certainly one of the most popular. If you like it — that’s fantastic! And if you like it but also want to find other go-to reds that have similar bold profiles (and are maybe friendly on your wallet), try one of these other three options.”
- Cabernet Franc: “This grape is actually one of the parent grapes of Cabernet ( the other is Sauvignon Blanc! Does that make Cab Sauv a nepo baby?). This grape is often blended in Cab Sauv and adds complexity with floral aromas like violet or herbal notes like green bell pepper. Try the French wine region Chinon. Virginia has some great expressions of this fall favorite!”
- Syrah (or Shiraz): “This is one of my personal favorite reds. If you like the boldness of a Cab, you should give Syrah a try. It will have dark fruit and high tannins as well, but I absolutely love the savory notes you can find, like black olive and even bacon. You can find many expressions of this grape, including France, California, Washington State, South Africa, Chile, and Australia.”
- Zinfandel: “When grown in warmer climates like California, expect aromas like black fruit — including blackberries and black plum — or even chocolate! This wine pairs beautifully with American classics like BBQ and burgers. But beware… this wine is typically high in alcohol!”
We also tapped Brody to help us figure out what wines to pair with Thanksgiving — not an easy task considering how many different kinds of food are on any given table, not to mention the range between homes across the country. Her four picks are pretty different than this list! Don’t miss our red wine Thanksgiving sangria recipe, either.
(And remember, while it may feel like winter by the time Thanksgiving rolls around, it’s technically still the fall.)
Related: Try one of our favorite fall cocktail recipes!
Obviously, these tips are just starting points, and everyone will have different tastes or preferences. For example, I typically gravitate towards wines with lower tannins (which give you that mouth-pucker feel) and towards drier wines, too.
The more wine you drink, the more you’ll figure out your own preference. Whenever possible, we recommend finding somewhere to buy wine where you can talk to a friendly pro (like Brody!) who can guide you towards something that will match both your meal and your palate.
You may also like: this fall bourbon Campfire Old Fashioned.