ExperiencesDining

Taste of Harvest-Autumnal Flavors and The Wines They Love

  • Sep 29, 2022
  • By Vineyard Vixen

We all know and love pumpkin spice, but so many other flavors invoke this season's richness.

As you prepare to host delicious dinners with friends, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite fall dishes and wine pairings that are sure to make your taste buds and guests, sing (even if they’re a little off-key). 

 

Pumpkin Truffle Risotto + Unoaked Chardonnay

A full-bodied white wine, like Chardonnay is right at home with this cozy and decadent dish. Opting for the unoaked version provides a balance of freshness and cleanses the pallet for your next bite.

 

Butternut Squash Ravioli with Browned ButterSage Sauce + Champagne

The acid of Blanc de Noir or Blanc de Blancs will cut the richness of the creamy butter sauce and balance the delicate sweetness of the butternut squash. I love this recipe because you can use your favorite pre-packaged ravioli and dress it up with the rich browned butter sauce.  The result is a showstopping dish that is perfect for entertaining or for a romantic night in. Everyone will think you slaved all day. Feel free to happily accept the compliments while you sip Champagne and enjoy your hard work ??   

 

Crisp Apples and Cheese + Gewurztraminer

It’s apple season! Slice a fresh from the tree apple with a few of your favorite cheeses. Gewurztraminer is full of a variety of fruit flavors that pair wonderfully with apples and the sweetness is balanced by the creaminess of the cheese.  Blue cheese or Gorgonzola are incredible flavor partners with Gewurztraminer. Want to learn how to create dreamy, drool worthy cheese and charcuterie boards? Check out this guide that will walk you through step by step.

 

Chili + Zinfandel

A bowl of hearty chili is so comforting on a cool fall day. All that meaty goodness and spice calls for a glass of red Zinfandel and a crackling fire to cozy up to.  I like to add pumpkin to my chili as a festive and fun way to bulk up on the veggie content.  And no, your chili will not taste like pumpkin pie.

 

Coq au Vin + Pinot Noir

This is one of my all-time favorite cold weather dishes. The aromas of the herbs simmering in the rich wine sauce reduction is simply heavenly. I like to serve this French chicken stew over buttery egg noodles and a fresh baguette to soak up all that saucy deliciousness. Pinot Noir is my go-to wine to use in the recipe as well as to pair with it.  The earthy notes of Pinot Noir balance the complex flavors of this rich braise while not overpowering the tender chicken and fresh herb notes.

 

 

Fantastic Fall Events

Big Crush 2022

Amador Vintners

Big Crush 2022

Plymouth, CA

Friday, October 7, 2022, 11:00 AM

Flamenco Dancing & Music Performance

Wise Villa Winery

Flamenco Dancing & Music Performance

Lincoln, CA

Friday, October 7, 2022, 7:00 PM

Oktoberfest

Schug Winery

Oktoberfest

Sonoma, CA

Saturday, October 8, 2022, 11:00 AM

Murder Mystery Dinner - Chamber of Screams

Messina Hof Estate Winery and Resort

Murder Mystery Dinner - Chamber of Screams

Bryan, TX

Saturday, October 8, 2022, 7:00 PM

Fall Open House | Sun, Oct 9

Mazzocco Sonoma

Fall Open House | Sun, Oct 9

Healdsburg, CA

Sunday, October 9, 2022, 11:00 AM

Succulent Pumpkin Class (2nd Date)

Wise Villa Winery

Succulent Pumpkin Class (2nd Date)

Lincoln, CA

Thursday, October 13, 2022, 4:00 PM

Browne Family Vineyards October Wine Club Party at The Trolley House

Browne Family Vineyards Walla Walla

Browne Family Vineyards October Wine Club Party at The Trolley House

Walla Walla, WA

Friday, October 14, 2022, 5:00 PM

Cooking Party with the Chef

Messina Hof Winery and Resort

Cooking Party with the Chef

Bryan, TX

Sunday, October 16, 2022, 1:00 PM

Minds of Modales: Native Fermentation

Modales Wines

Minds of Modales: Native Fermentation

Fennville, MI

Thursday, October 20, 2022, 6:30 PM

Dueling Pianos!

Acumen Wine

Dueling Pianos!

Napa, CA

Friday, October 21, 2022, 5:30 PM

VSJ 10 Year Anniversary Party - Harvest Wine Weekend

Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery

VSJ 10 Year Anniversary Party - Harvest Wine Weekend

San Miguel, CA

Friday, October 21, 2022, 6:00 PM

October Movie Night - Rear Window!

Bogle Family Vineyards

October Movie Night - Rear Window!

Clarksburg, CA

Friday, October 21, 2022, 6:00 PM

Whiskeys of Ireland and Scotland Celebration

The Copper Room at Hotel Sutter

Whiskeys of Ireland and Scotland Celebration

Sutter Creek, CA

Sunday, October 23, 2022, 4:00 PM

Fair Play Harvest Festival 2022

Fair Play Winery Association

Fair Play Harvest Festival 2022

Somerset, CA

Saturday, November 5, 2022, 11:00 AM

Reserve Vertical & Chocolate Pairing

Boxwood Estate Winery

Reserve Vertical & Chocolate Pairing

Middleburg, VA

Saturday, November 5, 2022, 11:30 AM

247th Marine Corps Birthday Ball

Messina Hof Estate Winery and Resort

247th Marine Corps Birthday Ball

Bryan, TX

Thursday, November 10, 2022, 6:00 PM

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