Fall Wine Myths: BUSTED! Enjoy Your White This Season
Rosé gets pushed aside; Crisp whites suddenly seem destined for warmer weather; And red wine takes center stage.
BUT there’s no rule that says sweater weather HAS to mean red wine.
In fact, it may surprise you, but plenty of white wines are perfect for Fall!
These include some richer, fuller-bodied varieties that fit right in with cooler evenings, comfort food, and everything else we love about the season.
Here are some of the common myths about wine, disproven!
~~~ Myth #1: White Wine Is Just for Summer
OK, so it’s easy to understand where this one comes from.
A cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio on a hot afternoon definitely feels like summer... But white wine covers a huge range of flavors and styles.
As the weather cools, try moving toward whites with a little more body, texture, or richness.
Chardonnay is an obvious place to start, especially an oaked Chardonnay with flavors that can include vanilla, toast, butter, apple, or baking spices. Viognier can offer rich floral and stone-fruit flavors, while varieties like Chenin Blanc and white Rhône blends can also feel right at home on a cool fall evening.
You don't have to abandon white wine. Just change up the bottle.
~~~ Myth #2: Fall Food Needs Red Wine
Fall brings heartier meals, but that doesn't automatically mean you need a Cabernet or Merlot alongside them.
White wines can work beautifully with many of the foods we start craving this time of year.
Chardonnay can pair nicely with creamy pasta, roasted chicken, buttery dishes, and richer cheeses. Riesling's combination of fruit and acidity makes it surprisingly versatile with everything from pork to spicy dishes. And richer white wines can stand up to meals that might seem destined for reds.
Sometimes the contrast of a bright white wine with a rich meal is exactly what makes the pairing work.
~~~ Myth #3: White Wine Can't Be Cozy
We tend to associate "cozy" wines with big reds: dark fruit, oak, spice, and a glass next to a fireplace.
But a rich white can have many of those same comforting qualities.
Oak-aged whites can bring flavors and aromas reminiscent of vanilla, toast, nuts, spice, and baked fruit. Others have a fuller, almost creamy texture that feels very different from the light, ultra-crisp whites we tend to reach for in July.
And there's another easy trick: don't serve every white wine ice cold.
Some fuller-bodied whites can become more aromatic and flavorful as they warm slightly in the glass.
~~~ Myth #4: Once Fall Arrives, Rosé Season Is Over Too
We're adding this one because rosé gets unfairly evicted every September.
Rosé may have become synonymous with patios and summer afternoons, but there's no expiration date on it.
Drier, fuller-bodied rosés can work with pizza, charcuterie, roasted meats, cheeses, and plenty of other foods we eat year-round.
If you love rosé, you don't need to ceremonially drink your last glass on Labor Day.
*** Drink What You Actually Like!
Seasonal wine recommendations can be fun because they encourage us to try something different. But they're recommendations, not rules.
If you love crisp Sauvignon Blanc in November, drink Sauvignon Blanc. If you're ordering Chardonnay while everyone else switches to Cabernet, you're doing just fine.
The best wine for a fall evening is ultimately the one you actually enjoy drinking.
So the next time you join us for a painting class at Pinot's Palette Naperville, don't feel like cooler weather means you have to order a glass of red.
Grab your favorite wine, settle in with your canvas, and enjoy fall your way.
Sweaters may be seasonal. Your wine doesn't have to be.
*** Our Wines:
We offer plenty of red wine, some blush, and some sparkling... BUT we are quite proud of our White Wine Collection! We've cultivated the perfect list of them for you, here, but be sure to check out our menu in the studio and ask our wine experts any questions you may have!
(**Be sure to ask for our selections when you're at the bar, as we sometimes have other wines in place of some of the ones listed below :) )
---> Hess Chardonnay
An accessible, medium-bodied everyday wine sourced largely from Monterey.
It features tropical aromas of grilled pineapple, sliced peaches, and a creamy crème brûlée finish
---> Raeburn Chardonnay
Aromas of ripe pear, Gravenstein apple, and white nectarine.
And has a creamy mouthfeel with notes of crème brûlée, vanilla, and toasted oak.
The acidity is balanced with a smooth, lingering finish.
---> Pasqua pinot grigio
White peach, Williams pear, and tropical fruits mixed with acacia blossom for the aroma of this one.
The palate is balanced and complex, featuring light citrus, crisp acidity, and subtle hints of toast, hazelnut, and vanilla from partial oak aging.
---> Bex Riesling
A crisp, medium-dry German white wine from the Nahe Valley, known for its balanced flavors of mandarin orange, white peach, and green apple paired with a mineral-driven finish.
---> Fire Road Sauvignon Blanc
Fruit for this wine was sourced from several vineyards within different subregions throughout Marlborough. The fruit was carefully monitored throughout maturity and was harvested upon reaching optimum flavor development and ripeness. Grapes were transported to the winery and pressed off with minimal skin contact. The resulting juice was cool fermented in stainless steel to retain freshness and zing.
---> Pavette sauvignon blanc
From the North Coast of California
This is a delicious crisp & clean Sauvignon Blanc, with bright citrus-tinged flavors.
Fun Fact: “Pavette" stands for little peacock.
---> Gravina Dry White
• The flavor profile is crisp and fresh with aromas of green apple, pear, white peach, citrus peel, and gentle floral or herbal notes.
The palate Medium-bodied with lively, mouthwatering acidity, a clean mineral finish
Interesting Fact: Gravina comes from the Latin word meaning gravel, due to the rich rocky soil oof the zone which produces a signature mineral rich white wine.