U.S. Wines for Fall and Wine Pairing Tips

The Beginning of Grape Harvest, Crush Fuels Desire for New Vintages

Aug 18, 2008

As late summer turns to fall, consumers are thirsty for wines that fit lower temperatures, richer foods and upcoming holidays.

Fall is an exciting season for wine lovers, who can celebrate their favorite drink with new wine releases and a variety of festivals and tastings across the U.S.

United States Wine Production

Late August through October marks the U.S. grape harvest and crush season. In wine regions across the country, grapes are picked from their vines by hand or machine and pressed. Crush refers to putting newly picked grapes into a machine that destems the fruit and breaks the skin to release juice from the berry.

According to the Wine Institute of California, two-thirds of U.S. wine is produced in California. The California Department of Food and Agriculture reported that the state yielded 3.2 million tons of wine grape crop in 2007. Napa Valley and Sonoma County, located near San Francisco, have earned a reputation for world-class wines. Reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir and whites such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are among the most popular and recognized Napa Valley and Sonoma vintages.

Washington, Oregon and New York are the biggest wine producing states outside of California.

Pairing Wine with Autumn Foods

Fall wines should compliment the hearty dishes and numerous events of the season. The perfect wine can be found for everything from Halloween treats to Thanksgiving dinner.

Red Zinfandel: A deep red wine with bold fruity and spicy flavors, Zinfandel goes well with roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, pastas with tomato-based sauces, lamb, venison, eggplant, prime rib and stew.

American Gewuztraminer: Gewurz is German for "spicy." This full-bodied white wine can be very dry and crisp or quite sweet. Its floral and citrus flavors pair with pumpkin pie, turkey with gravy and traditional trimmings, sweet potatoes and caramel apples.

Sparkling Wine: This bubbly beverage can be sipped with salmon, fried foods, spicy foods, white chocolate, spinach quiche and creamy pasta.

Tawny Port: Known as a dessert wine, this golden colored vintage has a sweet nutty flavor that is a treat with dark chocolate, pecan pie, apple pie and cheesecake.

Pinot Noir: Depending on age, this lighter red wine can have hints of berries, plums and cherries or more earthy flavors of wild mushrooms. Pot roast, meat loaf, gumbo, squash and Brussels sprouts are ideal partners for this wine.

Affordable Wines for Fall

Quality fall wines can be purchased for $20 or less.

Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel 2006- $9 to $16
Angeline 2005 “Mendocino” Pinot Noir-$15
Belo Vintage Tawny Port $10 to $15
Gruet Methode Champenoise, Brut (Sparkling wine)-$13.50
2006 Otter Cove Gewuztraminer-$19

Fall Wine Festivals and Tastings

Throughout the fall, the nation's biggest wine-producing states host a variety of wine-focused events.

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend (Aug.29 to 31): 200 wineries and chefs will be on hand at the event featuring winemakers dinners, a wine auction and The Taste of Sonoma.
Napa Valley Harvest Festival (Sept. 6): The Kiwanis of Napa welcome harvest season with a wine and food marketplace, art, entertainment and live and silent auctions.
Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest (Sept. 6 and 7, Rhinebeck, NY): Hundreds of wines from New York and the world will be provided at this festival which also features wine seminars and cooking demonstrations.
Lake Chelan Crush Festival (first and second weekend of October, Lake Chelan, WA): Tour local wineries and participate in an old-fashion grape stomp.
Northwest Food and Wine Festival (Nov. 15, Portland, OR): More than 600 wines and 50 restaurants are showcased along with silent auction and live entertainment.

The grape harvest season ushers in fall, and numerous opportunities to enjoy a glass of wine with friends and family.