The Best Food and Wine Pairings for Fall
Fall is officially here and you're wondering which wines to serve with your favorite recipes or, better yet, which foods would pair best with your favorite wines! Here's a quick guide to some pairing suggestions that will take full advantage of this Fall's seasonal flavors.
Top 5 Favorite Fall Recipes:
1) Pot Roast Carbonnade - A wonderful, rich dish boasting with flavors of beef, bacon, onions, roasted vegetables and herbs. Pair this with a Red Blend.
Our Suggestions:
- Dragonnette 2012 'MJM' Red Blend
- Empirical 2013 Red Blend
- Derby 2010 Red Blend
- Winston Hill 2012 Red Blend
2) Roasted Butternut Soup - You can almost taste the holidays with each spoonful of this delicious roasted butternut squash soup. Wonderful flavors of nutmeg, coriander and garlic compliment the squash and a glass (or two!) of Pinot Noir.
Our Suggestions:
3) Herb and Spice Roasted Cornish Game Hens - A simple dish that showcases the expressive flavors of a beautiful Chardonnay. This dish is well-balanced and flavor-forward, complimented by herbs and spices.
Our Suggestions:
- J. Wilkes 2013 Chardonnay
- Thomas Fogarty 2012 Chardonnay
- Lewis 2014 Chardonnay
- Trombetta 2014 Chardonnay
4) Pomegranate & Spice Braised Pork - Tender, juicy pork covered in a delicious, rich sauce of pomegranate and spices. Top it with a sprig of fresh rosemary and pair it with a bottle of Merlot for the table.
Our Suggestions:
- Rancheria Cellars' 2014 Merlot
- Rocca 2012 Merlot
- Lucas & Lewellen 2012 Merlot
- Jeff Gordon 2005 Merlot
5) True Texas Pecan Pie - A fantastic traditional pecan pie...need we say more?! Top it with fresh whipped cream and a glass of Champagne or Sparkling Wine.
Our Suggestions:
Top 5 Wines for your Recipes:
1) Cabernet Sauvignon - Typically a big wine with full body and intense flavor that pairs elegantly with lamb, pastas with red sauce, bleu cheese, spicy foods, steak and beef dishes, as well as chocolates and nuts.
Our Suggestions:
2) Zinfandel - A robust red wine full of complexity with tones of blueberry, black pepper, cherry, and licorice. Zinfandel's ideal pairings would be red meats, chocolate, brie cheese, nuts, grilled fruits and pastas.
Our Suggestions:
- Basil Fettuccine with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Olives and Prosciutto
- Zinfandel and Black Pepper Marinated Tri-Tip
- Grilled Figs stuffed with Goat Cheese
3) Chardonnay - Since this varietal of wine comes in a wide variety of styles, it can easily be paired with a number of foods. Chardonnay commonly expresses delicate flavors of butter and vanilla which compliments gouda cheese, seafood, chicken, pasta with white sauce.
Our Suggestions:
- Saffron Fettuccine with Shrimp
- Chilled Corn Soup with Crème Fraiche and Tart Apples
- Seared Scallops with Cider Brown Butter
4) Viognier - A white-wine grape known to produce dry, aromatic wines with a rich and complex palate. Characteristics of apricots, orange blossom and honey can be found and pair well with seafood, chicken, roasted vegetables, and fruit pastries.
Our Suggestions:
5) Syrah - This beautiful red wine is appreciated for being full-bodied with soft tannins and flavors of dark fruits, berries and pepper. A Syrah can be paired with ham, pasta with red sauce, spicy foods, camembert and gorgonzola cheeses.
Our Suggestions:
- Grilled Skirt Steak with Roasted Potatoes, Carrots and Pesto
- Four Cheese Risotto
- Wild Alaskan Salmon
Visit our Wine and Food Pairings page for more suggestions for wine varietals not mentioned above.