Wine pairings: a change of seasons

08 October 2021

Wine pairings: a change of seasons

The evenings are drawing in, the air’s turning crisp – autumn is here. Discover the ultimate wine and food pairings for autumn with our bold, rich bottles and comforting dishes.

When the seasons change, not only will the meals you enjoy likely shift to something a little more warming, so will your wine choice.

As the days grow cooler and heartier dishes return to the table, it’s time to embrace wines that match the richness and depth of autumnal flavours. Whether you're clinging onto summer, leaning into warming comfort food, or celebrating seasonal produce, here are some expert wine and food pairings to suit every taste.

Fruity Reds for Early Autumn Barbecues

If you’re holding onto the barbecue season a little longer, fire up the grill and serve a Pinot Noir or Garnacha/Grenache. These lighter reds are juicy and easy-drinking, with enough complexity and spice to stand up to charred meats and grilled vegetables – especially pork, sausages, or grilled halloumi.

Bread & Butter 'Winemaker's Selection' Pinot Noir, California

Bread & Butter is that thing that you can count on. It’s dependable, comforting – you know what to expect. That’s exactly what you’ll get with this wine, a textbook Californian Pinot Noir. It’s deliciously silky with juicy cherries, raspberries, and cranberries. Oak ageing gives it a touch of cedary spice and woody herbal notes.

E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône

The Guigal family are third-generation winemakers that have made a massive impression in the Rhône Valley. Their name is now synonymous with excellent quality Rhône wines. This wine has a higher proportion of Syrah than the usual Southern Rhône blend, making it extra fruity and warmly spicy. It’s a fantastically versatile wine.

Rich Wines for Cosy Autumn Dishes

Autumn is the season for aromatic spice, think warming curries, creamy risottos, or root-veg tagines. A Viognier or Gewürztraminer work beautifully here. Look for styles with stone fruit and floral notes and even try an off-dry style to complement the warming spice without overpowering it. Their fuller body makes them ideal for dishes with depth and a touch of heat.

Henri Ehrhart Gewurztraminer Réserve Particulière, Alsace

Henri Ehrhart is a family-owned outfit who have become known for turning out some of the finest wines in the region. This round and robust wine shows a harmonious balance of delicacy and freshness with classical varietal notes of lychee and rose.

Abbotts & Delaunay 'Les Fleurs Sauvages' Viognier, Languedoc

Winemaker Laurent Delaunay knows how to get the very best out of the sun-drenched vineyards in the shadow of the Pyrenees. The sun concentrates the flavours in their grapes to incredible intensity. The wine is then aged in barrels on its lees, giving it a moreish, creamy texture. Expect plenty of lush apricot and peach flavours, with notes of almond and sweet ginger spice.

Bold Reds for Roasted Meats

Roast dinners are back in full force, and they deserve a wine with structure and complexity. A Syrah/Shiraz or a Portuguese red blend (often featuring Touriga Nacional) are excellent partners for slow-roasted lamb, beef, or game. These wines bring savoury, peppery character and just the right amount of richness for autumn roasts.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz, Coonawarra

Coonawarra's fairly cool maritime climate and famous terra rossa soils are now rightfully celebrated the world over. This region's reds are seen among Australia's greatest. Bright. Fresh. Silky. This wine is medium-bodied, with juicy notes of red fruits, blackberry, and spicy black pepper.

Managers' Choice: Agenda Red, Dão

The Agenda Red is a delightfully soft and rounded wine with loads of plum and bramble flavours, plus a touch of herbs. Judicious use of oak adds a slight spiciness to the finish.

Smooth, Full Reds for Stews and Casseroles

Nothing says ‘autumn comfort’ like a bubbling stew or slow-cooked casserole. A Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot-dominant blend from Bordeaux or South Africa is a natural fit. These wines offer deep, dark fruit, firm tannins, and notes of oak and spice that pair beautifully with rich meat dishes, mushrooms, and umami-packed sauces.

Boekenhoutskloof Helderberg Winery Reserve Red, Stellenbosch

Famed for creating Boekenhoutskloof’s The Chocolate Block wine, Marc Kent is one of the great pioneers of South African wine. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Syrah, in this wine expect notes of red fruit, cassis, fig, and clove with hints of liquorice.

Château Caronne Ste-Gemme, Haut-Médoc

When the neighbours’ wines go for £50+ a bottle you know you’re onto a good thing. It’s classic Haut-Medoc, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon which means it has a firm structure and lots of tannin. It’s packed with really rich, dark fruit flavours. Plum. Blackberry. Classic Cabernet cassis.

Elegant Sparkling Wines for Seasonal Gatherings

Autumn still brings crisp, sunny days that are perfect for weekend lunches and early-evening dinners. Celebrate the changing season with a traditional-method English sparkling wine, South African Cap Classique, a classic Crémant from France, or even Champagne. These wines offer refreshing acidity and orchard fruit notes that work well with canapés, pâté, or a goat’s cheese tart.

Chapel Down Brut, Kent

Chapel Down is the UK’s largest winemaker – and one of its best. It’s made using the laborious and expensive ‘traditional method’ also used in Champagne. But though it’s made from the same grapes – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – these are altogether zestier bubbles. Apple. Lemongrass. Quince. It’s fresh, fruity, and really moreish.

Bouvet Ladubay Saumur Brut

The Loire Valley’s Saumur Brut is the go-to appellation if you like premium sparkling wine – but not the high price tag. Expect notes of honeysuckle, apple, and lime, with a crisp, fresh finish.

Textured Whites for Seasonal Vegetables

Roasted squash, pumpkin ravioli, and caramelised parsnips call for a white with a bit of weight. A Chardonnay, especially one with subtle oak ageing, complements these earthy flavours. Choose styles from Burgundy, California, or cool-climate Australia for a balance of richness and freshness.

Josh Cellars Chardonnay, California

If California is known for one white grape, it’s Chardonnay. And Josh Cellars makes a version that is well-balanced, delicious, and carefully sourced. Expect citrus, honey, juicy peach, and oak flavours.

Bread & Butter 'Winemaker's Selection' Chardonnay, California

This really does what it says on the tin. It’s a lush Chardonnay which tastes of – you guessed it – bread and butter. It’s bold, buttery, and silky smooth with fresh notes of citrus and vanilla.

Crisp Whites for Fish and Seasonal Greens

If you're still enjoying lighter dishes, such as grilled fish, seafood pasta, or those featuring kale or fennel, something like a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chenin Blanc provides a delicious pairing. These styles offer vibrant acidity and citrusy freshness that lift delicate flavours without overwhelming them.

Villa Maria 'Private Bin' Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

Villa Maria is a household name and the acclaimed producer is so successful it holds the coveted title of New Zealand’s most-awarded winery. A benchmark for quality, Villa Maria boasts ripe notes of gooseberry, lime, and tropical fruit. Fresh acidity and a dry, refreshing finish mean it’ll make a fantastic partner for white-fish dishes.

Acacia Road Chenin Blanc, South Africa

Chenin Blanc has found a home in South Africa and this example shows exactly why with bright flavours of tropical fruit and apple followed by a honeyed yet refreshing finish.