With the sun sinking on an Indian summer and harvest time reaching its peak, now’s the time to switch up the wine rack with some food-friendly styles to suit the seasonal shift.
Especially with a nip in the air, and thoughts turning to casseroles, wild mushroom and pumpkin risotto and roasted veggies.
Here are some favourite finds to cheer fall menus with family and friends…
1. Nero Oro Fiano Siciliane IGP 2025, Italy, £10, Morrisons
A food-friendly fiano to have on hand, there’s a refreshing vibrancy to this crisp white with characteristic aromas of citrus, honey, orchard apples and flutter of florals. With a little bit of weight to the palate, fine line of mouth-watering acidity and slightly saline finish, it’s the perfect pairing with seafood linguine, pork chops with white wine and creamy burrata cheese.
2. Lion and the Lily Bordeaux Rose Wine 2025, France, £9.50, Tesco
A seriously delicious rose, this Bordeaux belle can give your failsafe Provencal rose a run for its money. An attractive ballet-slipper pink, it’s fragrant with pretty florals and a touch of peach, fresh fruits on the palate with hints of cherry and citrus, balanced acidity and a lovely lift on the finish… appetising and very appealing. Try with herb-roasted chicken with root vegetables or creamy, roasted pumpkin soup.
3. Sainsbury’s TTD Maipo Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Maipo Valley, Chile, £11, Sainsbury’s
One of Chile’s strongest suits, cabernet sauvignon is the most widely planted red grape; and Maipo Valley famous for its full-bodied styles. Step in this IWSC and IWC Silver medal winner. Beautifully expressive, it’s awash with ripe blackcurrant, blackberry and plummy fruits, alongside sweet spice and savoury notes. One to savour with rich casseroles and slow-cooked lamb.
4. Paul Jaboulet Aine Viognier 2024, France, £11.75, Sainsbury’s
A viognier with verve, a delectable medley of exotic fruits framed by enlivening citrusy acidity, hints of white flowers and honeyed, peachy notes draw you in, with layers of lively stone fruits and harmonious, fresh finish. Delicious with creamy chicken fall recipes, seafood pasta or a gourmet fish pie.
5. Cune Rioja Reseva 2021, Rioja, Spain, £15, Waitrose
Showcasing Rioja’s velvety flavours from a very good vintage, this classic style exudes succulent red berries, cassis and violets laced with sweet spice, savoury, herbal notes, lick of vanilla, touch of liquorice, fine-grained tannins, and long, lingering finish. Utterly delicious, think roasted game, roast leg of lamb with all the trimmings, and hearty lentil stew.
6. Chapoutier Crozes-Hermitage Les Meysonniers Rouge 2023, Northern Rhone, France, £23.99, Loki Wine
A wine which really chimes with autumn menus, northern Rhone reds enjoy a cult following – and syrah, with its spicy elegance, the red grape variety which put Crozes-Hermitage on the map. Fruit forward and accessible, look forward to silky dark fruits overlaid with peppery spice; a backdrop of earthy, savoury tones with notes of spiced plums and cherry, twist of pepper, rounded tannins and lengthy finish. Worth the splurge with charcuturie, duck breast with peppercorn sauce or savoury mushroom dishes.
