With so many wine varieties on the market, it’s difficult to decide which ones are best for particular seasons. Specifically, if you aren’t working with a sommelier or wine director. However, with adequate knowledge and tips, you’ll be able to curate your own wine list for fall!

For the upcoming colder months, fall wines are a great way to enjoy the transition. Your wrought iron wine rack deserves the finest and here are some of the best wine bottles we have handpicked for you. 

Top 10 Fall Wines For Your Collection

As the chill sets in, it’s time to refresh your wine list with varieties that evoke the cozy feelings of fall. Rich, complex, and spicy wines are perfect for crisp evenings and pairing with seasonal delights. Here are the essential wines that capture the essence of fall and elevate your home wine cellar:

• Cabernet Sauvignon

You commissioned custom wine racks from a company like Wine Cellars of Houston. Now, what else can you add to these well-made racks? This fall wine, of course! 

Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied with flavors of spice, dark fruit, and cedar. It’s ideal for robust fall meals like stews and grilled meat. The boldness of this wine matches the seasonal flavors’ intensity, warming up cold nights. The best regions to get this wine include Washington State, Bordeaux (France), and Napa Valley. 

• Oaked Chardonnay

Oaked Chardonnay is appropriate for the fall weather, offering creamy and rich textures with notes of toasted oak, vanilla, and caramel. These flavors go well with the fall palate, pairing beautifully with seasonal dishes like butternut squash and roasted turkey. California, Australia, and Burgundy (France) are the best places to get oaked Chardonnay.

• Shiraz

Shiraz, or Syrah, is a deeply flavored wine with smoky undertones and notes of plum and black pepper. It has the complexity to go well with savory fall flavors like grilled mushrooms, roasted lamb, and braised meats. The Rhône Valley in France, California, and the Barossa Valley in Australia are the best places to source Shiraz.

• Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is the ideal link between light wines of summer and heavier reds of winter. With its flavors of cherry and cranberry and earthy undertones, it pairs well with wild mushrooms, roasted chicken, and an array of root vegetables. California, Oregon, and Burgundy (France) are some of the best regions for this wine.

• Zinfandel

Another fall wine that needs to grace your wood or metal wine racks this year! Zinfandel is bold and fruity with a spicy hint, which makes it perfect for this season. This wine pairs well with spiced desserts (such as apple pies), barbecue dishes, and sausages. The recommended regions for sourcing Zinfandel include Southern Italy (known as Primitivo here) and California.

• Garnacha/Grenache

Garnacha or Grenache is a versatile red wine with spicy and fruity notes, making it a wonderful choice for fall. It deserves a spot in your custom glass wine cellar due to its subtle red fruit flavors. This makes it an excellent match for lighter fall fare, such as spiced squash, pork, and poultry. California, Spain, and the Rhône Valley in France are the best regions to source this wine.

• Malbec

As soon as one opens the wrought iron wine cellar door during fall, one expects a bottle of Malbec! This is the fall wine with its dark berry flavors and velvety tannins. You also get hints of smoke and cocoa, which makes it perfect for rich fall fare, like hearty stews and meats. 

The Malbec is also a natural crowd-pleaser because it’s approachable. The best regions to source a Malbec include California, Argentina, and Cahors in France. 

• Tempranillo

Tempranillo’s dried fig and dark berry flavors, along with subtle leather and tobacco notes, are perfect for fall. It’s an outstanding choice for pairing with smoky flavors, tapas, and grilled meats. For the best Tempranillo, get it from Texas and Ribera del Duero or Roja in Spain. 

• Chenin Blanc

If your wrought iron wine racks look too full of reds, there’s a white to add some contrast. An off-dry Chenin Blanc, flavored with hints of stone fruit and honey, pairs amazingly with fall food. It’s great for dishes with fall cheeses, caramelized onions, and roasted squash. Focus on South Africa, California, and the Loire Valley (France) when sourcing this wine. 

• Sangiovese

This fall wine is savory, acidic, and bright with earthy undertones. It pairs well with wild game, aged cheeses, and roasted tomatoes. The flavors of dried herbs, spice, and red cherry in the Sangiovese bring warmth to any fall meal. To source this wine, pick from regions like California and Tuscany in Italy. 

From crisp whites to bold reds, this curated autumnal wine selection will beautifully complement the seasonal flavors. Pair your wine collection perfectly with cozy fall evenings and festive gatherings!