Your Guide to Autumn Wine and Food Pairings
As fall settles in, comfort foods take center stage. To make your seasonal dishes even more enjoyable: pair them with the fall wines. Whether you’re roasting butternut squash, serving pork chops, or indulging in a slice of apple pie, there’s an ideal wine to complement every dish.
1. Chardonnay: A Perfect Wine for Creamy Comfort Foods- Wine pairing: Chardonnay
- Comfort food pairing: Creamy pasta, mushroom risotto, chicken pot pie
- Why it works: Oaked Chardonnay is a rich, full-bodied white wine that pairs perfectly with creamy comfort foods. Its buttery texture and light vanilla flavors enhance the richness of dishes like chicken pot pie and mushroom risotto. If you're looking for the best wine for fall meals with creamy textures, Chardonnay is your go-to.
- Wine pairing: Pinot Noir
- Comfort food pairing: Roasted butternut squash, sweet potatoes, herbed chicken
- Why it works: Pinot Noir’s light body and fruity, earthy flavors make it a versatile red wine for fall. It pairs well with roasted vegetables, such as butternut squash and sweet potatoes. The wine’s acidity balances both the sweet and savory flavors of these dishes.
- Wine pairing: Zinfandel
- Comfort food pairing: Beef stew, chili, barbecued pork chops
- Why it works: Zinfandel’s bold tannins and spicy, fruity notes make it a great red wine for hearty, savory dishes. It pairs beautifully with beef stew, chili, or even barbecued pork chops. This full-bodied wine highlights the deep, rich flavors of your meal.
- Wine pairing: Syrah
- Comfort food pairing: Lamb chops, venison, braised red meat
- Why it works: Syrah’s smoky, peppery flavors make it a great pairing for rich fall dishes. The wine’s bold profile perfectly complements braised red meat like lamb or venison.
- Wine pairing: Sauvignon Blanc
- Comfort food pairing: Squash soup, shrimp stir fry, herb-roasted vegetables
- Why it works: Sauvignon Blanc has bright acidity and zesty citrus flavors. This refreshing white wine goes well with lighter dishes. This wine complements fall meals like squash soup or roasted vegetables. For those who prefer a crisp, refreshing option, Sauvignon Blanc is a great autumn wine choice for lighter fare.
- Wine pairing: Dry Riesling
- Comfort food pairing: Pork chops with apples, sweet potato casserole, apple pie
- Why it works: Dry Riesling has a nice mix of sweetness and acidity. Whether you're serving pork chops with apples or indulging in sweet potato casserole, Dry Riesling enhances the flavors. Consider serving it with desserts, such as apple pie, providing a lovely contrast to the sweetness.
7. Cabernet Sauvignon for Roasted Red Meat and Hearty Dishes
- Wine pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon
- Comfort food pairing: Roasted beef, turkey with gravy, meatloaf
- Why it works: Cabernet Sauvignon is a strong red wine. It goes well with hearty dishes, especially red meat. Whether it's roasted beef, meatloaf, or turkey with gravy, this wine’s deep tannins and bold fruit flavors make it an exceptional choice. Its boldness stands up to the rich, savory elements of the meal, making it a must-try for fall wines.
- Wine pairing: Sparkling Wine
- Comfort food pairing: Mac and cheese, fried chicken, appetizers
- Why it works: While often reserved for celebrations, sparkling wine consider using it for certain seasonal dishes. The bubbles and acidity of sparkling wine cut through the richness of dishes like mac and cheese or fried chicken. Also great for appetizers at festive fall gatherings, this dish brings a sense of lightness to heavier dishes. If you're looking for something different, sparkling wine can be a fun and unexpected option in your fall food and wine pairings.
- Wine pairing: Sweet Wines (e.g., Late Harvest Riesling or Moscato)
- Comfort food pairing: Spiced pumpkin pie, apple crumble, spicy curry
- Why it works: Sweet wines can be a wonderful pairing for fall desserts and even some spicy dishes. A late harvest Riesling or Moscato goes well with sweet desserts like pumpkin pie or apple crumble. It also balances the heat in spicier comfort foods. Sweet wines offer a smooth, rich finish, making them a delightful end to any autumn meal.
Fall is the season of hearty comfort foods and cozy meals, and there’s no better way to enhance these dishes than with the perfect autumn wine choices.
From red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel to white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, there’s a wine for every fall meal. Don’t forget about sweet wines and sparkling wine for special occasions or to pair with desserts.
Explore these wines and discover your perfect wine with comfort food this autumn season.