Autumn is a transition season – cooler evenings, richer foods, and a general shift toward cozy, earthy flavours. The best wine styles for autumn echo that mood: a little more body than summer whites and rosés, but not as heavy as the boldest winter reds. Here are some top picks and why they work so well:
Reds
Once the weather turns, reds become the ultimate comfort blanket. Look for styles that lean into autumn flavours: earthy, spicy, and just a little more robust than summery reds with imperceptible tannic structure. Look for wines with medium-full body and enough backbone to stand up to roasts, stews, and anything with mushrooms. Grenache, cool-climate Cabernet France are the stars this season, bringing those cozy forest floor vibes and warming spice without weighing you down.
From vines nearly a century old. Fresh, black cherry and raspberry juice with heady, sweet cinnamon and clove on the nose. This follows on the palate which is soft and rich yet very bright with some gorgeous gamey notes on the finish. Gently pressed in a traditional basket, slow fermented and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Tremendous value.
A stunning cool-climate red wine made exclusively from Cabernet Franc. Intensely fragrant with rose, lead pencils and fresh red berries. There is a lovely gaminess here too but it is playing backup to the fruit. The palate is full of crunchy red berries. The acidity carries a long, precise finish.
The vineyards of the Dentelles du Montmirail are cooler than much of the surrounding region and often yield more structured, complex reds as a result. This is a classical example of Gigondas made with skill and sensitivity. It is very fruit driven – red berries to the fore – but there’s also a trademark lick of garrigue herbs, olive, and a subtle, soft toastiness from ageing in old oak.
Whites
Just because summer’s over doesn’t mean we have to pack away the whites. In fact, autumn whites are some of the most exciting: richer, rounder, and often with a hint of creaminess or spice. Seek out wines with orchard fruit flavours, a touch of honey, or even a lick of oak – perfect with roasted squash, poultry, or creamy pasta dishes.
Vibrant, rich and aromatic. Perfumed aromas with white peach and hints of jasmine on the nose. On the palate it has tight, white, fleshy stone fruit and fresh apricot flavours. Ripe and broad but with great freshness too.
This modern Viognier is a lovely pale gold with honeysuckle, orange blossom, and trademark apricot on the nose. A textural and structured palate is complemented by a very delicate and pleasing bitterness on the finish.
For something extra special, Gusbourne’s multi award-winning Chardonnay is an elegant, citrus-driven still white wine that perfectly balances richness with freshness. Aged for 10 months in French oak (16% new, 84% seasoned barrels), it showcases layered complexity and refined character. On the nose, there are enticing aromas of honeyed citrus, ripe orchard fruit, and toasted nuts. The palate reveals flavours of buttered toast, lemon zest, pineapple, and sweet spices, all carried by a silky texture
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