Now that the Autumnal Equinox is here (Saturday, September 22nd, 2018 at 9:54PM EST) you may have shifted gears from the lazy days of summer to the crisp days of fall. With everything pumpkin spice quickly being snatched from the grocery store shelves and October just a week away, you can be sure everyone is getting into the autumn frame of mind.
Between the refreshing wines of summer and the warming wines of winter lies some delicious fall wines that are perfect for this time of year.
SYRAH
Spicy and warm but still light enough to go perfectly with the weather.
"Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is a dark-skinned grape variety grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce red wine. In 1999, Syrah was found to be the offspring of two obscure grapes from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche." - Wikipedia
BEAUJOLAIS
Light, with tasty berry flavors, and perfect to snuggle up with.
"Beaujolais is a French Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée wine generally made of the Gamay grape which has a thin skin and is low in tannins. Like most AOC wines they are not labeled varietally." - Wikipedia
UNOAKED CHARDONNAY
With rich vanilla flavors, unoaked Chardonnay keeps the smoothness for fall without the winter heaviness of oaked Chardonnay.
"Barrels are also credited with giving wine a richer texture, adding to the belief that oak adds complexity. An unoaked wine is more likely to be lighter-bodied than its oaked counterpart, with more fresh fruit flavors and less of any cedary, toasty, vanilla character." - Wikipedia
ROUSSANNE
Hinting of pear and honey, Roussanne fits in perfectly with falling leaves and warm fires.
"Roussanne is a white wine grape grown originally in the Rhône wine region in France, where it is often blended with Marsanne. It is the only other white variety, besides Marsanne, allowed in the northern Rhône appellations of Crozes-Hermitage AOC, Hermitage AOC and Saint-Joseph AOC." - Wikipedia