Autumn in a Glass - Time to Refocus on the Reds

As the evenings draw in, the temperatures drop and restaurant menus start to feature heartier dishes, our drinking habits naturally begin to change.

After a summer of crisp whites, refreshing rosés and the occasional glass of fizz in the sunshine (when we actually got some!) autumn is the perfect time to rediscover some of the richer, more comforting styles of wine.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean putting the white wines away and filling the shelves with big, heavy reds. At House of Wine, we think autumn is one of the more interesting times of year for wine, with plenty of opportunities to introduce customers to something a little different.

Reds Don’t Have to Be Big and Bold

When the weather turns colder, it’s tempting to head straight for the Malbec, Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon. And while there’s certainly a place for those wines, particularly alongside a good steak or Sunday roast, there’s a whole world of variety in reds that are waiting to be explored.

Pinot Noir is an obvious starting point. Elegant, approachable and incredibly versatile with food, it’s a fantastic option for customers who enjoy red wine but don’t necessarily want something too heavy. I have also been banging the drum this year for one of my all time favourite reds, Fleurie which works really well slightly chilled in the summer months but is absolutely fantastic at this time of year. Try it with a Roast Chicken dinner and you will see why.

There also some amazing reds to try from the classics such as Montmartel Cotes du Rhone or the Acid Crab Negroamaro which definitely hits the spot on an autumnal evening and then there is the wonderful Paxton Sangiovese from Australia which certainly wowed everyone when we had that at a customers this weekend.

If you are wanting to look at switching up the red offering as the colder weather comes in, let us know and we will happily put something interesting in place for you.

White Wine Still Has Its Place

Just because the sunshine has disappeared doesn’t mean white wine should follow it. Autumn is a great opportunity to explore richer, more textured whites that work particularly well with seasonal food.

Chardonnay is a brilliant example. Forget the overly oaked styles that gave the grape a questionable reputation years ago. A well-made Chardonnay can offer wonderful balance, with ripe fruit, freshness and just enough richness to complement dishes such as roast chicken, creamy pasta or mushroom risotto.

White Rhône blends, Viognier and a particular favourite of Ondas del Alma Godello are also worth considering. These wines can bring something genuinely different to a wine list, particularly for customers who might usually default to Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

A Little Something Different

One of the things we enjoy most at House of Wine is introducing customers to wines they might not otherwise have considered. Autumn is a particularly good time to do that.

Portuguese reds, for example, can offer fantastic value and character, while lesser-known Italian varieties provide plenty of alternatives to the more familiar names, I have recently discovered Losito Zibbibo and it is a really good wine as well as the fact I love the name of the grape variety for some unknown reason.

The key isn’t necessarily finding the most unusual bottle on the shelf. It’s finding something interesting, well made and, most importantly, something your customers will enjoy drinking.

Making Your Wine List Work Harder

For restaurants and bars, changing seasons provide a natural opportunity to review the wine list. That doesn’t mean a complete overhaul every few months.

Sometimes introducing two or three new wines, refreshing a few descriptions or highlighting particular food pairings can make a real difference.

A lighter red available by the glass, a richer white to accompany the autumn menu or a lesser-known variety that gives the team something interesting to recommend can all help keep a list feeling fresh.

And with the busy festive period approaching, now is a good time to make sure the wines on your list are working as hard as they should be.

Looking Ahead to Winter

Before long, attention will turn to Christmas parties, festive menus and celebrations, bringing another shift in what customers are looking to drink. But for now, autumn offers a brilliant opportunity to explore different styles, revisit old favourites and perhaps discover a new one along the way.

At House of Wine, we’re always happy to help customers review their wine lists, explore new additions or find wines that complement their menus. After all, a good wine list isn’t necessarily the biggest or most expensive. It’s one that works for the venue, the food and, most importantly, the people drinking it.