One of the best things about autumn is that it’s harvest time, and there’s a wide variety of wines to enjoy at this time of year. What wines should you enjoy during this season? Expert wine tasters offer their suggestions on which wines to buy, and why. Here are some great fall wines for your enjoyment:

White Wine

White wine: A good white wine to enjoy during the fall is Chardonnay or Riesling. You can chill white wines for up to 10 days, and they can go well with many autumn dishes.

Unoaked Chardonnay
Unoaked Chardonnay

Chardonnay: An excellent white wine to serve during autumn, including many fall vegetables such as pumpkin and winter squash, turnips and other root vegetables. It goes well with fish, chicken, pasta and salads. There are two kinds of Chardonnay, oaked and unoaked. The difference between the two is that oaked Chardonnay has been aged in oak, and it tastes richer and sometimes buttery. Unoaked Chardonnay tastes milder but is crisp.

Dry Riesling
Dry Riesling

Riesling is an excellent grape for autumn, because it’s sweet and has hints of apple and pear fruit. It’s great with fish, chicken or pasta dishes. Riesling was originally grown in Germany and Alsace, France. The Finger Lakes in New York state are prominently known for Riesling, it grows plentiful because of the terrain and weather. Riesling goes well with foods such as german sausages, cabbage, and apple butter.

Red Wine

Red wines are the best of autumn, since they are generally quite affordable and go with heartier meals.  Try a red that is fruity in flavor, such as Cabernet Franc or Lemberger.

Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is a red wine that goes well with red meats, such as steak or lamb. The grape is grown in the United States, particularly in Oregon and the Finger Lakes. Cabernet Franc is different from Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc is lighter and more fruity than Cabernet Sauvignon.

Lemberger
Lemberger

Lemberger, also known as Blaufränkisch, is a black-skinned wine grape grown widely in Austria and Hungary, and to a lesser extent in neighboring Germany. It is also grown in California and New York state. It is a late ripening grape and has great potential as a wine grape. It has a smooth, velvety texture and earthy flavor that harmonizes well with traditional dishes. Lemberger goes well with meats, especially game birds.

Regardless of what kind of meal you’re preparing, make sure to include a bottle of wine. Wine is excellent for autumn, especially if you’re trying to go with traditional foods. If you’re planning an autumn meal, try the suggestions above, all of which are available at Miles Wine Cellars.

For more info on these fall favorites visit our wine shop page.