Five Wines for Fall
August 28, 2008 by Ashley Simpson
I generally think of wine in simple terms: if i’m eating a steak I’ll go for a red, on a summer night I might select a crisp white, and if it doesn’t come in a box, its fair game. Blends and varietals factor into my selections, but regional qualities float over my head, and when it comes to experiencing “hints of mahogany” and “flavors of nectarine,” I couldn’t be less aware.
(But) As wonderfully as this “unpretentious” approach to wine has served me thus far, I’m starting to wonder if there’s more to the art of wine tasting than some concerted swirling of the glass.
This afternoon, Orzo co-owner and wine connoisseur Charles Roumeliotes introduced me to the world of seasonal wines. He showed me the full-bodied, hearty reds that fill glasses as September approaches, and highlighted several hip yet affordable pics for autumn, perfect for any cool-weather gathering.
Here are a few of Charles’ fall favorites:
- Fragou, Cabernet Sauvignon one of about 20 Greek wines on Orzo’s list, excellent with a nice steak, and containing “flavors of cassis and cocoa. Its a little earthly on the finish,” said Charles.
- Viña Rey, Tempranillo soft and rich, Charles likes it with braised pork.
- Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Il Cortile del Castello di Poppiano your classic fall wine. It is rustic with a “tart cherry flavor;” the kind of wine you “curl up on the sofa with.”
- Campania, Aglianico dark and succulent, this Italian country wine is perfect with a leg of lamb or a well-prepared pork chops.
- Lorca, Monastrell rich, full of “soft fruits, with a little oak to it.”
As you probably noticed, Charles’ suggestions are all reds. “Richer, full-bodied wines are great for cooler weather,” he commented. ”They pair well with heavier foods.”
My favorite part? They’re also all under $20.
You can find them at Orzo on West Main Street, located inside the Main Street Market.
Comments? Thoughts on wines for fall?
Thanks for the research and recommendations!
I am not yet to the point where there are wines that I will turn away. Well, that’s not true. I recently had a horrible white at Kuba Kuba in Richmond. Had to send it back, but for the most part, I will drink what’s available.
But I am to the point where I know what I like, and I like tart cherry. I am also very excited for crisp whether when I can enjoy the affordable and provocatively named Menage a Trois from Folie Deux. Widely available, but reliably good.
Yeah!!!!! for my good friends at Orzo! I love, love, love all of them….and the food’s great also.
No prob, Covergirl. (I can’t exactly complain about the “research.”) And, I look forward to trying Menage a Trois! It sounds like we’re pretty much on the same page when it comes to wine- my only turn away was at a restaurant in England; the entire place was drinking the local beer, but that didn’t stop my friends and I from cluelessly ordering the very well-hidden house wine, only to discover that it had probably been sitting open for longer than it had “aged.”
Also, if you like full-bodied, cherry-tinged wines, another delicious, affordable cabernet that I’d recommend is Maipe. You can find it at the Kroger on Rio and probably a few other locations in town, as well.
a toast from another orzo devotee–charles knows his stuff & it’s great to know he’s getting to share his smarts!!!
i’ve heard that boxed wine is making a come-back. i think there are some really hip and trendy selections out there that actually taste good and stay fresh for longer than once opened. interesting?
Ellen B.- I’ve actually heard that too. I’d be curious to learn more…
Another wine that tends to have that negative connotation is Zinfandel… I went on a wine tasting trip to Sonoma a few years ago and it was all the rage… and quite good, I might add. I don’t know the specifics (i.e. years/regions) but i’ve found a few tasty ones, despite the pained look i see on guests faces when i say i’m serving a California Zin!
I also recently read a bit about Rose — how it is the perfect summer wine and go with almost any food. Funny how we build up ideas about something and it takes awhile to knock that down!
What?! Zinfandel is delish. I love Dancing Bull and Ravenswood Zins. And they’re only about $10-11.