Fall Food & Wine Pairings

Host like a pro this season with our list of no-fail fall food and wine pairings.

Fall is officially here and with it, the cozy and comforting foods everyone looks forward to enjoying when the leaves start to change. And the leaves aren’t the only things changing; we’re also updating our wine selections to pair with seasonally delicious dishes. Fuller-bodied whites, spicy and savory reds, and special-occasion fortified and sparkling wines are all on the menu to inspire your fall meals and take them to the next level.

Use these recommendations to get into the fall spirit, and then use the fundamentals of food and wine pairing to create menus with your favorite autumnal dishes matched with wines that complement or enhance their warm and festive flavors. Whether you are hosting a dinner party, inviting others over for a casual cocktail hour, or simply elevating a weeknight meal at home with a special bottle, perfect pairings are just a click away.

Want to learn more about the flavor profiles of these wines? Check out the Fall Wine tasting notes from our experts.

White Wine Pairings for Fall Foods

Chenin Blanc
If apples are the signature fruit of the season, then Chenin Blanc should be the season’s signature white wine! This high acid white wine, which can be made dry or sweet, still or sparkling, is known for displaying apple and honey flavors, making it a dream match for a wide variety of fall meals. Try it with dishes that traditionally incorporate apples or a touch of honey, such as pork chops with an apple chutney or a sweet potato hash with sausage, apples, and Brussel sprouts.

Viognier
Viognier is an aromatic white wine that showcases a bouquet of floral aromas like rose and honeysuckle, helping it to contrast against the savory notes you’ll find in many fall meals. Oaked styles, which you can often find in California, exhibit Chardonnay-like qualities, including a fuller body, richer flavors, and notes of vanilla and clove. You can also find Viognier blended in Rhône White Blends, another excellent choice for fall entertaining. Pick Viognier to pair with comforting chicken curry or vegetable forward dishes highlighting leeks, squash, or cauliflower. It can even be paired with roasted turkey breast and cranberry sauce for an inspired Thanksgiving accompaniment.

Chardonnay
An incredibly versatile wine, Chardonnay can evoke the rich and buttery flavors we crave during cooler months or bring a beautifully balanced acidity to cut through the decadence of many fall dishes. A Chardonnay from Sonoma County is a perfect pick to pair with fall flavors as most spend time in French oak and pick up notes of baking spices, vanilla, and smoke, while maintaining a full body and medium acidity. Open a bottle of Chardonnay to go with sides like roasted butternut squash, polenta, and mashed potatoes or mains like roasted chicken with sage and roasted salmon with tarragon and mustard.

Red Wine Pairings for Fall Foods

Pinot Noir
A fall wine list wouldn’t be complete without Pinot Noir, and for good reason! This sensual wine is the epitome of fall, displaying raspberry, black cherry, black tea, forest floor, fresh earth, tobacco, cinnamon and anise characteristics. Try one from Oregon’s Willamette Valley to experience some of the best in the U.S. or splurge on a bottle from Burgundy for a truly memorable meal. Pinots are a staple of Thanksgiving tables everywhere because they pair effortlessly with turkey and most sides, bringing elegance to even the humblest green bean casseroles. Its earthy characteristics are also a fantastic match for mushrooms; open a bottle to go with everything from stuffed mushroom appetizers to portabella burgers and beyond.

Grenache
Add a little spice to the season by choosing Grenache, which is also known as Garnacha in Spain. This wine is often blended with Syrah, Cabernet, or Merlot, but single variety bottles are worth seeking out for their cinnamon, licorice, and cherry aromas and flavors. The spiciness and bold fruit make this an excellent pairing for game meats, like venison or boar, which need a little more "oomph" in the glass to stand up to their strong flavors. Grenache also makes a great complement to slow-cooked pork shoulder or a root vegetable soup or stew, both of which are fall-time staples.

Syrah
A cool-climate Syrah, like those from the Northern Rhône and Washington state, is packed with aromas and flavors reminscent of fall, such as black fruit, white pepper, violets, and even savory, meaty notes that lend a luscious quality to both meat and vegetarian dishes. Try it with slow-cooked dishes like lamb shawarma or braised short ribs for a filling, warming meal.

• Buying tip: Look for wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape (for a premium bottle) or Côtes du Rhône-Villages (for more affordable options) to find savory blends of Grenache and Syrah.

Zinfandel
Styles of Zinfandel are many, ranging from lighter-bodied wines full of cranberry and pepper to full-bodied, rich options with jammy spice characteristics. Pick up a few bottles from Sonoma to have on hand for any kind of party, as this crowd-pleasing wine is a great match for a variety of foods and moods. While many like Zinfandel during the summer to go with grilled options, this spicy wine can easily transition into fall as a pairing for a wide range of meats, including a perfectly seared steak or lamp chop. It's also a great option for pizza night!

Other Wine Pairings for Fall Dishes

Tawny Port
No meal would be complete without dessert—or dessert wine! Tawny Port, named for its tawny color, is a particularly luxurious finish to an autumn meal, bringing notes of dried fruit, nuts, brown sugar and caramel to your palate. Delicious on its own, you can enjoy a glass of this fortified wine in front of the fire to celebrate the end of a special evening. If you’d like to serve it alongside a dish, try it with traditional fall desserts like pumpkin pie or poached pears and vanilla ice cream. The indulgent flavors from the dessert and the wine will be a magical finish to your fête.

• Buying tip: The number of years on the label indicates the average age of the grapes in the bottle. Once you buy a bottle of Tawny Port, it is ready to drink and does not require additional aging.

Cava
Sparkling wine is the quintessential celebration starter, even if you’re just popping a bottle to celebrate the end of a long work week. Cava is a top choice for effortless entertaining because it is usually more affordable than other sparkling wines made in the traditional method, but still expressive and versatile, with younger bottles displaying apple, quince, and lemon flavors, and aged or vintage bottles bringing out yeasty, brioche notes—either way, you can’t go wrong. Stock up on a few bottles to have on hand for casual get togethers to pair with tapas such as nuts, olives, and cheeses or even to elevate simple potato chips and dip. Just because it’s easy doesn’t mean it can’t be elegant!