Fall is in the Glass
by Douglas J. Nevins

When I hear Fall, I don’t think about the changing of the leaves, or pumpkins, or even daylight savings time…I think of one thing and one thing only, bring on the red wine! After gulping down bottle after bottle of ever so fitting summertime whites and rosés, the thought of that first sip of red wine on a brisk Autumn night brings a distinct smile to my face. There’s just something about that red juice; the cozy warmth it provides, the way it coats your mouth, and the little extra love that flows through the glass.

Whatever it might be, there is no question that it is that time of year again to break out the bottles of red which have been sitting in your cellar and to hit up your trusty boutique wine shop to check out all the new wonderful red wines that have been released. The only question that may arise is, “Which red wine do I choose?”
My answer is simple, drink what you enjoy, whatever red wine that tastes good to you! That is the most important piece of advice I can give. Of course, I have some favorites in respect to certain varietals, countries, and producers, but in the end it is your palate that is always the final verdict.

Now, the Fall can host many occasions including, your final barbecue of the season, Halloween parties, and let’s not forget the “let’s bundle-up and have a glass of wine outside kind of night.” No matter the event, I feel red wines with dark berry fruits that supply just the right amount of juicy flavors work magically. It’s not solely about the fruit though; the wine needs to have a supple, silky texture with subtle notes of mocha, vanilla, and mild spice. A wine in which each sip begs for the next, leaving your mouth coated with that warmth and love of which I spoke earlier. You may ask yourself, “Well, which wines fall into this category and am I going to have to break the bank to get my hands on one of these?”

This is one of the great aspects about wine, the answer is that you can find a wine like I just described in any price range. Sure, a wine will feature a fuller and more complex body as it increases in price, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a great bottle of wine for $10. Listed below are a few of my personal favorites in each price category that I strongly recommend. These are wines that will definitely be consumed on my Fall nights and will be shared with many of my friends and loved ones throughout the season.

$10 Level

Borsao ‘Monte Oton’ Garnacha – Campo de Borja, Spain 2007
Light-medium body, lush red berry fruit, incredibly soft finish

$20 Level

Joel Gott ‘Mohr-Fry Ranches’ Zinfandel – Lodi, CA 2005
Medium-full body, ripe berries, cola, clove, and spice

$30 Level

Schild Estate ‘Shiraz’ – Barossa Valley, Australia 2006
Full-bodied, blackberries, blueberries, mocha, richer finish

$50 Level

Planeta ‘Syrah’ – Sicily, Italy 2004
Complex, full flavors of red fruit jam, cassis, coffee, elegant tannins

$70 Level

Terlato ‘Devil’s Peak’ Meritage – Napa Valley, CA 2005
(64% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon)
Intense dark fruits, wild berries, cocoa, vanilla finish

All of these wines are available to taste before you purchase them at WineWise located at 122 East Putnam Avenue in Greenwich, CT (just across the parking lot from Whole Foods) 203-340-2440. At WineWise, you can taste virtually any wine in the store before you buy it as we are the only premier wine shop in the country to offer so. We specialize in smaller, boutique producers whom specialize in making hand-crafted wines at affordable prices. Our knowledgeable staff can assist you with any questions you may have as well as supply you with incredible suggestions to pair with your meals. Please visit and let us make your wine season more enjoyable and merrier!

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