The crisp fall months are by far my most favourite time of the year. It seems to signal new beginnings which could be attributed to the countless years I spent in school, since this seems to be when I set my goals and resolutions for the year ahead. It’s also a time to reflect and give thanks. I love the excitement around the grape harvest, the many festivals and craft shows both complemented by the changing of the leaves. With that in mind let’s allow the colours of fall to inspire our next sip.
Early Fall
Green and Sauvignon Blanc – Crispness in the air, surrounded by green grass and leaves certainly call for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. This is the perfect time to consume the remaining bottles of Sauvignon Blanc in your cellar since Sauvignon Blanc is typically made to consume in its youth.
Sauvignon Blanc usually displays a green tinge to your glass and exhibits intense aromatics of gooseberry, citrus and lemon grass and my signature trademark to identifying Sauvignon Blanc from a line up is the smell of tomato vine.
This green wine is an ideal match for tomatoes; I like to slow roast my tomatoes in olive oil with a sliced onion for 45 minutes then toss with spinach and enjoy with a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc. It also pairs well with yellow plums that are currently in season. Try a salad with yellow plum, bitter greens and goat cheese with white wine vinaigrette for a harmonious match.
Recommendation: Dan Aykroyd Sauvignon Blanc 2011
$12.95 – available online at Diamond Estates – The Winery or your local LCBO – product #74047
Pale Yellow and Pinot Grigio – Pinot Grigio is a tremendously popular wine. It’s a fall favourite for me because unlike Riesling, Pinot Grigio is more mild mannered and has less acidity. It has mellow aromatics of white peach, white grape and a soft minerality. It can vary from being bone dry to off dry and has many variations of colour from pale yellow to a light salmon colour. This is because the grape skin of Pinot Grigio is an off gray colour and depending on the amount of time on the skins can impart a richer colour in the wine. DNA shows that Pinot Grigio parents include Chardonnay & Pinot Noir. Pears come into harvest in fall and Pinot Grigio pairs nicely with pears. I like to make a fall favourite sandwich on multigrain bread or Panini with pear, brie and turkey and pair it with Pinot Grigio. At dinnertime we’ll often have pork tenderloin topped with Niagara pear compote.
Recommendation: 20 Bees Pinot Grigio is perfect.
$11.95 – available online at Diamond Estates – The Winery or your local LCBO – product #60707
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Mid Fall
Gold and Buttery Oak Aged Chardonnay – Oaked Chardonnay has a beautiful golden glow thanks to fermenting in oak barrels which provides mouth warming flavours of vanilla, toast and baked apples. It’s a great wine to warm you up on a cool fall evening. Oaked Chardonnay complements so many fall vegetables; Squash, pumpkin, yams, etc. Some of my favourite matches are; butternut squash soup, pumpkin risotto and roasted turkey with apples. For those who do not like sweet dessert wines, oaked Chardonnay is great with apple crisp or baked apples. This wine will carry from dinner through dessert as long as you sparingly use sugar in your dessert. A good rule of thumb is you always want your wine to be sweeter than your food. For a flavourful fall snack try a bowl of buttery popcorn or baked brie cheese with an onion compote.
Recommendation: Lakeview Cellars Reserve Chardonnay is on sale for Fall
$14.95 (regular $21.95) – available online at Diamond Estates – The Winery
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Late Fall
Bright red leaves, fresh picked apples and Gamay Noir– Gamay Noir has a ruby red glow in your glass and reminds me of the vibrant leaves of fall. Gamay is a mild mannered red with fruit forward aromatics and medium weight with a touch of spice on the finish. Gamay pairs well with your turkey and pork dishes and lamb & veal as well as rose pasta dishes. It’s also great on its own; I highly recommend enjoying a glass over a brilliant fall sunset.
Recommendation: Try EastDell’s Gamay Noir 2008 which is drinking well right now!
$12.95 – available online at Diamond Estates – The Winery or your local LCBO – product #214890
Orange and Gewürztraminer Icewine – The ultimate dessert wine of fall is Gewürztraminer Icewine. Amber in colour with rich aromatics of lychee and spice! I refer to it as pumpkin pie in a bottle! It pairs perfect on its own with some salted nuts or alongside apple pie, pumpkin pie baked figs and all things fall!
Recommendation: Lakeview Cellars Gewürztraminer Icewine is top notch!
$34.95 – available online at Diamond Estates – The Winery
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