Welcome back! As the seasons change, so do our palettes. And with the cooler weather settling in, it’s the perfect time to switch up your wines!
Here with her favourite picks for fall is the editor of Canada’s largest wine review website, Natalie MacLean!
Welcome, Natalie.
Great to be back with you, ladies! Fall wine season is my Super Bowl, but with better drinks and snacks.
What do you consider when you’re recommending wines for the fall?
Fall is all about transition and comfort. I look for wines that can shift from patio sipping to sweater weather. Basically, they’re wines with commitment issues that work in our favour. They have enough character to stand up to heartier fall dishes with some brightness and acidity to keep things lively. They’re the perfect middle ground between “I need ice in my glass” and “I need a blanket on my shoulders.”
The first wine you’ve brought us is a pinot grigio. Tell us about it.
This is Mastronardi Pinot Grigio from Kingsville, Ontario.
Mastronardi Pinot Grigio
Kingsville, Ontario
This zesty wine delivers green apple aromas like you’re stepping into a sun-dappled fall orchard. It has a long, dry finish to carry those crisp fall flavours.
This wine is only $16.95. That’s less than what most people spend on pumpkin spice drinks in a single week, and this actually tastes great! Plus, you can drink it without having to explain your order to a confused barista. “Yes, with oat milk. No, almond. Wait, coconut. Actually, just the wine, thanks.”
As a teenager, owner Rino Mastronardi used to ride his bike by this vineyard on his way to school and envisioned owning it one day. Rino is clearly a peak manifestor. Today, as sole owner, Rino, grows nine different grapes on this historic vineyard that dates back to the 1980s, proving southern Ontario can nurture world-class vines where the growing season is the longest in the country.
Pair with roasted acorn squash soup or mac and cheese.
Why is this a wine you recommend for the fall?
This Pinot Grigio bridges that beautiful gap between the seasons perfectly. Those green apple notes remind us of apple picking season and fall harvest, while the crisp, dry finish is perfect for a hearty squash soup. It’s the “cashmere sweater” of white wines — light, elegant, but just warm enough when the temperature dips.
Let’s move on to our second wine. What have you brought us from Portugal?
Animus Vinho Verde
Douro, Portugal
This zesty gem is from the famous Vinho Verde region of Portugal. It has the soundtrack and smell of fall rain on cobblestones along with vibrant notes of lime zest. The light fizz adds festive charm while the crisp acidity cuts through rich fall dishes beautifully.
Animus is produced by Vicente Faria Vinhos, a winery committed to farming organically and reducing its environmental impact. They’re saving the planet one delicious bottle at a time. We’re helping by drinking it. Teamwork.
At just $11.95, it’s perfect for those spontaneous fall get-togethers when friends drop by. You’ll look effortlessly prepared, even if your fridge just has hummus and hope.
Pair with roast chicken or butternut squash risotto.
What makes this the perfect fall wine?
The subtle fizz and lemon-lime zest lift any rich dish, kind of like a squeeze of lemon on roast chicken. It’s proof that fall doesn’t mean you have to abandon white wines – you just need that zesty brightness to cut through rich autumn comfort food. The light effervescence adds a celebratory touch for fall gatherings. It’s like the liquid equivalent of jumping in a pile of leaves—fun, fresh, and invigorating.
You have another Canadian wine for us to sample next. What is it?
We have the Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon from Niagara.
Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon
Niagara
This bold beauty showcases the elegance of Canadian Cabernet Sauvignon with its signature blackberries and cassis.
Southbrook is a triple pioneer in regenerative organic viticulture, biodynamic farming and sustainable winery architecture. They’re basically the overachievers of the wine world. I might be jealous if the wine wasn’t so good.
Although this wine is $29.95, it tastes like a $60 wine. It’s the most Canadian of wines: unassuming but surprisingly impressive once you get to know it.
Pair with roast beef or braised short ribs.
What makes this a great wine for autumn?
his wine tastes like a fall walk through a Canadian forest. You get notes of wood smoke, and dried leaves that scream autumn with dark fruit that won’t overwhelm your food. This is the wine you want when you’re gathered around enjoying a Sunday roast. The structure gives it backbone, but it’s never brash. Again, so Canadian.
What Italian wine do you have for us?
Here we have the Prugneto Sangiovese Superiore from Romagna, Italy, another excellent value at $20.
Prugneto Sangiovese Superiore
Romagna, Italy
This classic Sangiovese embodies the rustic charm of autumn with its cherry fruit core wrapped in earthy undertones. The wine shows beautiful balance and complexity that makes your mouth water when you pair it with heartier fall fare.
The Poderi dal Nespoli winery that produces Prugneto has been family owned since 1929. The Ravaioli family is respected for their sustainable winery design and winemaking from vineyard to glass. With the fourth generation in charge, they’ve clearly cracked the code on “family business without family drama.”
Pair with mushroom risotto or pasta bolognese.
Why is this a fall reco?
This Sangiovese feels like a warm hug in a glass. Those earthy notes pair beautifully with fall’s mushroom season. This wine is made for the hearty Italian comfort foods we crave when temperatures drop – think pasta Bolognese or mushroom risotto. It tastes like you’re dining in the Italian countryside during the harvest.
We’re ending with a Chilean wine. What have you brought?
This is Casillero Del Diablo Devil’s Carnaval Fabulous Red from Chile at just $13.90, it’s a steal of a fall deal. You can buy two bottles. One for now, and one for future you who also deserves nice things.
Casillero Del Diablo Devil’s Carnaval Fabulous Red
Chile
This vibrant Chilean blend brings together Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon in a celebration of dark plums and spices that warm you from within. It’s a party for your taste buds!
The Casillero del Diablo has one of the most legendary stories in the wine world: to keep thieves away, the winemaker spread the rumour that the devil lived in his cellar. It worked and the name stuck: Casillero del Diabolo or Cellar of the Devil. Proof that savvy marketing has been around longer than social media.
Pair with hearty stews or grilled meats
What makes this a seasonal sipper?
Those warming spices and dark plum notes are exactly what we crave as the days get shorter and cooler. This bold blend has the body and richness to stand up to everything from hearty stews, making it perfect for fall entertaining. Whether that’s a dinner party for twelve or you’re “entertaining” yourself on a Tuesday night in your fuzzy slippers. Plus, with Halloween just around the corner, that Devil’s legend makes it a conversation starter at any autumn gathering.
Natalie, these suggestions are fantastic! Any final words of wisdom for our viewers?
Here’s to falling leaves, rising spirits, and friends who celebrate the season with us. Because life’s too short to wait for a special occasion—sometimes Tuesday is reason enough.
Thank you, Natalie! Where can we find you and these wines online?
On Instagram, you can find me posting wine reviews and tips at:
Online, my website is nataliemaclean.com.
Posted with permission of The Social. Please drink responsibly.
