Ah, autumn — is it sunny? Is it raining? Is it too early to light the fire?
Regardless, as the nights draw in the temptation to hunker down and open
“just one more bottle” increases by the day. It’s the time of year when rosé
takes a graceful bow, and bolder, warming wines step into the spotlight.
Here’s your cheat sheet for drinking your way through one of the best seasons
of the year.

Pinot Noir – sweater weather red
Pinot Noir is autumn’s version of a thick overshirt — light enough to wear
inside, warm enough to take outdoors. With its notes of cherry, blueberry, hints
of mushroom even and a delightfully spicy, yet smooth finish.

This autumn go for one that is slightly off the beaten track with the delicious
Solevari Reserve Pinot Noir from Romania. Vibrant purple in colour this wine
has intense red and black fruit flavours and a slightly spicy finish making it
perfect with everything from roast chicken to toad in the hole. £12.50

Chardonnay - but with some flair
A much-maligned grape for years, but the right Chardonnay feels like
watching sunlight hit amber leaves — buttery, mellow, and a little nostalgic.
Nonsense aside - a lightly oaked Chardonnay offers warming vanilla and
popcorn notes that warm you in an instant and let you fall back in deep
relaxation in your favourite chair. It’s also massively versatile – pair with roast
dinners, shellfish, creamy butternut squash risotto or even a nutty cheese
such as Comté and it will sing.

Our pick is Flint Silex Blanc 2023 – a blend of Chardonnay with Pinot Blanc,
Noir and Gris; this is dry and soft with flavours of apricot, biscotti and orchard
fruits with enough creaminess from the oak ageing to be reminiscent of white
Burgundy. £26.99

Take the challenge and ‘forget’ to tell your guests that it is both Chardonnay
and has some oak ageing and watch their misconceptions of the grape
disappear!

Syrah & Grenache – your firepit friends. This is the wine equivalent of sitting by a firepit with friends and a thick woollen blanket. Syrah delivers smoky, peppery flavours, yet all with subtle differences – Aussie Shiraz tends to shout, whilst French Syrah prefers to
whisper dark fruit secrets. Grenache gives red berry character, spice and delicious notes of tobacco and cinnamon spice. Together they sing, perfectly suited to pairing with hearty cassoulet, slow-braised meats and unctuous roasted vegetable dishes dishes.

Crack open a bottle of Domaine Gramiller Rasteau and you won’t be
disappointed – a certified organic banger that delivers on crunchy black forest
fruit flavours, baked plums, cinnamon and whispers of wood smoke. £19.99

Zinfandel (Primitivo) – autumn’s overachiever. Jammy, spicy, full of personality – Zinfandel is the perfect dinner party guest, getting along with everyone from turkey, to barbecue, through to an Ottolenghi-esque root vegetable roast. Often simple at first these develop complexity as you drink them, bringing layers of blackberry, black pepper and nutmeg – not to be confused with it’s pink second cousin though. 

In the US it is Zinfandel, but in Europe the same grape is known as Primitivo –
both delivering on flavour but in entirely different ways due to climate and soil
types. With that in mind we’ve picked two:
Mina Mesa Zinfandel from California that brings plum, raspberry and
redcurrant flavours with notes of vanilla and oak. £11.50
Lirica, Primitivo di Manduria, a delight from the birthplace of the Primitivo
grape throwing out dark fruits, cherry, ginger and a long, spicy finish. £19.99

A Sweet Treat. Autumn heralds the real start of dessert wine season with tarte tatin and
cheeseboards gracing tables and, for those who prefer dessert wines that flirt
rather than cloy, the delicious Stella Bella Pink Muscat is a dream. Honeyed
with fresh strawberry, orange blossom, zesty acidity and just a hint of Turkish
Delight flavours yet remaining fresh and delicate. Fantastic with blue cheese,
creamy pannacotta or simply to sip. £13.99