Fall Wines

It doesn’t feel like it should be fall yet. The days are still warm in Northern California. But fall is definitely in the air and I’m starting to seek out meals that are more geared toward cold weather and with those meals, the perfect fall wines to match.

But what is a fall wine? Can you still drink your favorite Rieslings, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blancs even though it’s now officially fall? Of course you can. In fact, Riesling is one of my favorite wines to pair with many Fall-inspired dishes. But there are also some wonderful wines that I just don’t typically think of drinking in the warm summer months.

Take Viognier, a tantalizing white wine with a certain richness of flavor that makes a wonderful compliment to Fall dishes. Originating in the Northern Rhone region of France (alongside Syrah), Viognier is now planted in all regions of California, but you will find the majority of Viognier producers on the Central Coast.

The floral aromas and flavors that are so apparent in Viognier come from the same floral compounds that you find in Muscat and Riesling. These compounds are called terpens. You’ll often find that you get aromas of honeysuckle, citrus blossoms and lychee from Viognier, making it seem that the wine will be sweet. But that is the beauty of Viognier – the palate is rich and lush with flavors of citrus, peaches and ripe pears.

Because of its full body, Viognier pairs well with richer foods. Try fish or chicken with dried fruits or smoky flavors. Viognier is also a great match with rich, creamy cheeses.

Viognier to Try

Cline Cellars Los Carneros Viognier $16

Miner Family Simpson Vineyard Viognier $20

Calera Mt. Harlan Viognier $28

Another of my favorite fall varietals is Pinot Noir, especially those from California and Oregon. Pinot Noir is extremely flexible for food pairing and its delicacy is perfect for many fall dishes. For something different, you may also want to seek out a Pinot Meunier. One of the three grapes allowed in the production of champagne, Pinot Meunier is mutation of Pinot Noir and often exhibits more deep fruit flavors.

Pinot Noir to Try

Sebastiani Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir $18

A to Z Wineworks Oregon Pinot Noir $20

Domaine Chandon Pinot Meunier $25

Written by Linzi