7 Transitional White Wines for Fall
As summer comes to a close chlorophyll will start to breakdown in leaves and beautiful orange and yellow hues of fall foliage will appear. We’ll be trading in our summer florals for our fall favorites come the cooler weather. It’s a common misconception that with the change of season comes change of color in your glass. Just as wearing white after Labor Day has been debunked so has immediately switching from whites/rosés to red wines come fall. Now is the time to reach for those fuller bodied whites for dining alfresco and taking in the cool September/early October nights with these 7 transitional whites!
Melville Estate Chardonnay - Sta. Rita Hills 2017 | $34
I have a soft spot for Santa Barbara wines, made prevalent with my travel guide and via my instagram. Sitting in a perfect location to soak up the cold ocean breeze, this Chardonnay is such a gorgeous representation of the appellation. Flavors of lovely honeysuckle, hints of oak, burst of citrus and subtle acidity captivate the mouth and make it weighty enough to enjoy on a chilly fall evening.
Chateau de France Blanc 2018 | $29.99
We can’t forget about white Bordeaux for fall with all it’s peppery, waxy + peachy deliciousness! This wine can certainly stand up to cool alfresco nights with it’s overall texture and structure. Add in some salty Marcona almonds for the WIN!
Château de Pommard Mersault 2017 | $56
I’ve been loving Château de Pommard’s Clos Marey-Monge Tasting Trio of classic Burgundy Pinot Noir and have no doubt that their Meursault is just as delicious and vibrant. Just ordered this knowing I’ll be getting a classic full bodied Chardonnay that’s full of cream, buttery goodness and zest. This will be a great transitional fall white go-to!
2018 Estate Stone Soup Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, Tratorre Farms | $50
A hearty blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, Stone Soup is the perfect after dinner white to enjoy around the fire pit with S’mores. Honeycomb, citrus, salinity and creaminess basically screams Fall and gets you in the mood for sweater weather.
Roeno le Giare Müller Thurgau 2018 | $17.90
While a little on the lighter side, I say you can still enjoy this floral white as an aperitivo to wet your appetite. The Müller Thurgau varietal is very popular in Trentino, Italy where it demonstrates the best version of itself. It’s a cross between a Riesling and Madeleine Royale (mostly seen in table wines but very effective here) and this one gives you lots of roundness, fresh fruit and floral vibes with a touch of herb.
Louis Roederer Brut Premier | $54
I’ll always recommend a lovely brut Champagne in chilly weather. The family run and infamous Louis Roederer is one of the oldest champagne houses located in Reims. It’s small vibrant bubbles with richness, texture and toasty almond flavors will warm you up and be a fine companion to either start or finish off your fall nights.
Santa Vittoria Gavi 2017 | $22
I’ve been diving into Northern Italian wines recently and Piemonte (the second largest wine region behind Sicily) has been a wonderful journey of quality and distinction. Come dive into the cozy Gavi DOCG - the most important appellation for the Cortese varietal. Lots of honeysuckle, pear and almond makes Gavi such a dessert-y type of wine perfect for a sweatsuit and late night chats.
Happy Fall!
