Changing of the wines

Okay...it's official! We had our first roast chicken last night which means the seasons are changing, at least in our kitchen. There is a crispness in the air and a coolness in the evening that signifies that fall has arrived and we can turn the oven on inside! And although we will still BBQ from time to time, this is California after all, our attention turns to hearty homemade soups, Shepherd's Pie, Cioppino and other scrumptious comfort dishes.  For me, the change in seasons brings about a feeling that is hard to express; as the weather and the scenery start to change, the autumn season has its own unique beauty, the daylight hours grow shorter and the nights cooler, there is a new smell in the air, and of course there is a football game on in the background. I also love the sight of the leaves on the vines as they have turned their golden hue, our version of the fall foliage! This is also the time when we start to look ahead to Thanksgiving...(but I  will save that for our next meeting.)  The change of season gets me into 'changing up' the wines and just like I switch from t-shirts and shorts to sweaters and jeans, my taste preferences tend to change as well.  At this point I find myself searching the wine closet for more full bodied varietals, I tend to reach for a Cabernet or Zinfandel more often than not, to go along with the bigger, richer meals.  But I’m not altogether ready to give up on white wines—not yet, anyway. I just look for wines with bigger body and texture, more pronounced fruit, and spirited aromatics that let them stand up to bold flavors. I also tend to serve them a bit warmer than I would in the summer, which allows them to expand in the glass.  A well-chosen white wine in the fall can be just as satisfying as a red, and they pair well with many classic, hearty, cool-weather dishes.  The transition from the organized chaos of harvest through the fall and into winter is a kind of 'reawakening' for the wine industry.  It's time to move away from the hot weather wines, rose and sauvignon blanc, and lean towards something a little more weighty!  I would love to know what are your 'transition' wines?? 

 

Happy Fall sipping!!

 

 

Ridge Lytton Springs 2011 Zinfandel

Bramble, raspberry, cassis, toasted oak, and floral aromas; layered black cherry and currant, full bodied with well coated tannins and notes of licorice and black olive on the finish.

 

 

 

 

Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Visually stunning with a deep garnet-ruby hue, this wine possesses an unprecedented elegance of fruit expression, lively acidity, tannin structure and oak integration. Aromas of blackberry, black cherry and cassis are supported by subtle hints of baking spice and vanilla from oak aging.

Mantanzas Creek 2011 Sonoma County Chardonnay
In the vineyard, Chardonnay leaves were removed so the sun could mature the fruit, delivering delicate aromas of lemon and pineapple. Summer was mild and the afternoon sun helped mature grapes tofull ripeness. Overall, 2011 was excellent vintage for Chardonnay.