Check out our autumn wine selection
As your food menus change with the weather, then so too should the wines you select to bring out the season's flavours. As autumn sets in, those of you who are still determined to enjoy some alfreso dining are even more in need of our water proof picnic blankets and wool blankets to keep you warm as you wine and dine your friends.
Ambunti Warehouse's resident wine expert and co-founder has set out below her recommendations to help take the pain out of selecting your autumn wine list. From full-bodied reds to fruity whites, here are some bottles that go with warm, comforting food – without breaking the bank!
Red Wines
Australia Felix Shiraz/Sagrantino, Swan Hill – Victoria, Australia
A curious blend of grapes from Swan Hill, Victoria. The Shiraz component is full of dark, sweet-berry fruit, which contrasts with the Umbrian Sagrantino grape’s fresh sour-cherry style, resulting in a very juicy fruit-driven wine with great freshness and Italian-like grip that will warm those chilly autumn nights. This is a great dinner-party bottle to serve with seasonal foods.
This will not disgrace the dinner table. It has got lots of forward red fruits, but plenty of structure and a nice long finish from decent ageing in the bottle.
Juicy bramble fruit and fresh redcurrants with soft tannins and a hint of spiciness make an extremely approachable and versatile wine. Great as a party wines with finger foods.
Chateau Lalande d’Auvion Medoc Cru Bourgeois, France
Cabernet Sauvignon is the match for lamb and steak. When you put that grape with meat, something magical happens. This one has bags of cherry and plum fruit flavours, which more than fit the bill.
Classic Cotes du Rhone, France
Soft and juicy. Classic strawberry Grenache fruit matched with Syrah’s tell-tale peppery spice. Try this with bangers and mash.
The Ned Marlborough Pinot Noir, New Zealand
It'd be remiss not to unearth a riveting Pinot Noir this Autumn. This is an elegant, yet powerful Pinot Noir with savoury notes coupled with lovely silky tannins.
An inky, almost opaque new Malbec from Mendoza heartland with flavours of plum, bramble and ripe blueberries, tempered by sweet, spicy oak. The perfect accompaniment to a pub lunch by a roaring fire.
Villa Borghetti Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy
Remarkably complex nose with ripe cherries and a dark chocolate background. A rich, full and satisfying wine to match the seasonal warm and comforting food.
White Wines
Rapitala Grillo Sicilia, Italy
Grillo is a Sicilian white grape variety most famous for its role in the island's fortified Marsala wines. It is now coming back in fashion as a dry white wine, as it delivers easy drinking wine. Pure Grillo fruit on the nose – Fresh with lots of citrus fruit and grapefruit on the palate.
Alamos Viognier Uco Valley, Argentina
While not a bestseller just yet, Viognier has a growing following. This wine combines exotic spice with bright minerality. Feel smugly smart serving it!
La Couronne des Plantagenets Vouvray Loire Valley, France
This lovely, bright, slightly sweet white is well balanced with a citrus acidity that makes it an excellent accompaniment to fish and seafood, as well as an old-school autumnal classic, pork cooked in prunes and cream.
This is bright, crisp and citrusy Gavi, Italy's favourite classic white, from the ubiquitous Araldica stable in revered Piedmont.
Vinalba Seleccion Torrontes, Argentina
An enticingly fresh, floral nature and a crisp, dry finish excite the palate in this excellent example of Argentina's native grape made by the highly reputable Vinalba Winery, which also produces terrific Malbec, in the foothills of the Andes. This is a fabulous wine to accompany autumn puddings involving pears, plums or blackberries.
Rose Wine
M de Minuty Cotes de Provence Rose, France
Classy Provence fruity style with a steely backbone. This is a high quality, crafted rose full of strawberry and raspberry fruit, with lavender and even peachy aromas. Try this with Sea Bass baked in salt.
Sparkling Wines
Champagne Andre Carpentier Brut NV, France
Classicaly made, this Champagne is light & elegant with rich fruit flavours, a lively mousse and a mouth-watering balance.
Follador Prosecco Superiore DOCG Torri di Credazzo, Italy
An elegant bottle, a finely crafted set of bubbles, a cracking Prosecco from the heartland of Prosecco production.
Enjoy autumn and look out for our next recommendation as we zero in on Christmas. Two mulled wine recipes to die for.
If you want to hark back to summer, see our summer recommendations.