Autumn Wines to Look Out For: The Best Wines to Drink This Season

As the leaves begin to change, the evenings become cooler and summer slowly fades into the background, autumn brings with it the perfect opportunity to explore a different style of wine. From elegant Pinot Noir and warming Shiraz to beautifully textured Chardonnay, there are plenty of autumn wines worth looking out for this season.

Choosing the best wines for autumn isn't simply about finding the biggest or richest bottle. Autumn is about balance, texture, warmth and versatility. With seasonal dishes becoming richer and evenings spent around the dinner table becoming longer, the right wine can make a perfect autumn meal even more memorable.

When people think about wine to drink in autumn, red wine is often the first thing that comes to mind. Cooler weather naturally lends itself to wines with more depth, but there is a huge range of styles to explore.

Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile autumn wines and a fantastic choice for anyone who prefers an elegant red. With its combination of red berries, gentle spice, earthy character and refreshing acidity, Pinot Noir works beautifully with many autumn foods. Try it alongside roast chicken, duck, mushrooms, pork or seasonal vegetables.

For something richer, Shiraz is a brilliant choice. Known for its dark fruit flavours, peppery spice and fuller body, Shiraz is particularly well suited to cooler evenings and hearty autumn food. A good Shiraz can complement roast lamb, steak, grilled meats, slow-cooked dishes and rich sauces, making it one of the best red wines for autumn.

Cabernet Sauvignon is another autumn favourite. Structured and full-bodied, Cabernet Sauvignon brings blackcurrant, dark fruit, herbs and often subtle oak and spice to the glass. Its structure makes it particularly well suited to red meat, roast beef, lamb and other substantial autumn dishes.

Although autumn is often associated with red wine, there is no reason to put white wine away until spring. In fact, some of the best autumn wines are white.

Chardonnay is particularly interesting as the weather cools. A fuller-bodied Chardonnay can offer layers of ripe fruit, citrus, cream and subtle oak, providing considerably more texture than the light and refreshing whites typically associated with summer. It pairs wonderfully with roast chicken, creamy dishes, seafood, mushrooms and roasted vegetables.

Sauvignon Blanc can also work exceptionally well during autumn, especially when choosing a wine with good texture and ripe fruit alongside its characteristic freshness. Its acidity makes it a natural partner for seafood, goat's cheese, salads and vegetable-based dishes, while a more expressive Sauvignon Blanc can easily transition from summer into autumn.

One of the most enjoyable things about autumn wine is the opportunity for autumn wine pairing. As seasonal cooking moves towards roasted, slow-cooked and more comforting dishes, the possibilities become almost endless.

Think roasted vegetables, pumpkin, mushrooms, game, lamb, pork, beef and dishes featuring herbs, spices and rich sauces. These flavours can bring out the fruit, spice, acidity and texture in a carefully selected bottle of wine.

Rather than automatically choosing the heaviest red, consider the balance of the entire dish. A delicate Pinot Noir may be a better match for mushrooms or roast poultry, while a powerful Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon could be ideal for grilled beef or slow-cooked lamb.

Autumn is also the perfect time to move beyond familiar wine choices. Look for wines from smaller producers, lesser-known regions and grape varieties that you may not have tried before. Some of the most exciting autumn wines to look out for are not necessarily the bottles you already know.

Whether you are searching for a sophisticated Pinot Noir, a rich Shiraz, a structured Cabernet Sauvignon or a beautifully textured Chardonnay, autumn offers an excellent opportunity to discover new wines and rethink how you pair them with food.

At Brad's Wine, every case is carefully selected with discovery in mind. Brad hand-picks wines from exciting producers and wine regions around the world, bringing together bottles that offer quality, character and something different to discover.

So, as autumn arrives, pour yourself a glass, gather around the table and explore some of the wines that make this season so enjoyable.

Discover your next autumn favourite with Brad's Wine.