As autumn approaches, the tendency for many wine drinkers is to move away from the crispy, dry white wines of summer and instead favour mellower reds. When the first frost bites, it’s natural to be drawn to heart-warming dishes accompanied by darker wines such as Cabernets and Syrahs. But September can often be as warm as August, and Indian Summers are becoming increasingly common. The fact that the summer has ended doesn’t mean that we should abandon white wine altogether. In fact there are many white, sparkling and fortified wines that are perfect for the season. It’s all a question of finding the right wine, and then making sure to serve it at the right temperature.

Wines for autumn

According to James Richards, of wine merchants Vin Neuf, there are many varieties which are the perfect for autumn. For white wines, he recommends Southern Burgundy Macon-Villages and Pinot Gris (Grigio) from Australia, as well as Chenin Blancs from South Africa. For reds, James particularly recommends wines from the Rhone Valley, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre from the south (Cotes du Rhone villages, Plan de Dieu, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Lirac and Chateauneuf du Pape).  Northern Rhone varieties such as St. Joseph and Crozes Hermitage offer darker richer spices. From the southern hemisphere, he suggests the Shiraz from Barossa Valley in Australia as a more ‘fruit forward’ wine, with an intense, velvety flavour. As for fortified wines, a sherry such as Manzanilla or Fino, is delicious along with tapas. It should be served cold in a normal wine glass.

The optimum temperature

Everyone knows that red wine should be served at room temperature, but what isn’t commonly understood is that ‘room temperature’ typically refers to the ambient temperature in a wine cellar, i.e. noticeably cooler than in most modern kitchens. Most reds should be stored between 14 and 20 degrees, with newer types needing to be even cooler, at 10 to 14 degrees. Mature whites, such as White Burgundy, should be stored at very similar temperatures, while a lighter-bodied white like Chardonnay should be kept at 9 to 10 degrees. A standard refrigerator usually operates at 3 to 4 degrees, which can damage the taste of even young white wines. A dedicated wine fridge, or wine cooler, can have an electronic thermostat with a digital temperature display, allowing you to store your wine, be it a fruity red or a delicious Riesling, at the perfect temperature all season long.
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