11 Wines to Segue From Summer Into Fall

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There’s a certain moment each year when you realize how the light has changed. Summer warmth still lingers, but autumn is officially here: shorter evenings, cooler mornings, leaves begin to fall, curled at the edges. Our palates also shift with the seasons. After months of crisp whites, chilled rosés, and spritzy pét-nats, many of us begin turning to wines with a little more depth.

Wine, after all, is seasonal by nature. The foods we crave in July, such as grilled vegetables, clams on the half-shell, and fresh salads, differ from what we seek in October: roasted squash, earthy mushrooms, and slow-braised meats. Late September through mid-October is the ideal time for wines with bright acidity to refresh, but also with some weight, texture, or spice to pair well with heartier dishes.

Below I recommend ten wines I’ve sampled recently that caught my attention

White wines with texture

If summer was all about lean, zippy Sauvignon Blanc and delicate Pinot Grigio, fall is the time for whites with a bit more body, perfect with both ripe, end-of-summer tomatoes and with early autumn’s root vegetables.

  • J. Hofstätter Kolbenhof Gewürztraminer 2022 (Alto Adige, Italy) $37
    From one of Alto Adige’s most celebrated sites for Gewürztraminer, this wine captures the grape’s exotic character with precision. Lush yet balanced, it bursts with lychee, rose petal, orange peel, and spice, wrapped in a supple texture. A fine mineral streak keeps the finish clean and refreshing.

  • Quinta da Fonte Souto Florão Branco 2024 (Alentejo, Portugal) $22
    From Symington Family Estates’ foothill vineyards in the Serra de São Mamede, this bright Portuguese white shows both freshness and depth. Crisp and lively, it offers notes of lemon zest, green pear, and passion fruit, with a touch of wild herbs. The palate is textured yet focused, leading to a long, zippy finish.

  • Conde Valdemar Rioja Blanco 2023 (Rioja, Spain) $20
    Crafted from native white varieties grown in Rioja’s cooler zones, this modern-style blanco is vibrant and aromatic. Fresh and expressive, it delivers layers of citrus, white peach, melon, and honeysuckle, balanced by a subtle creaminess. The finish is elegant and mineral-driven, inviting another sip.

Rosé’s second act

Rosé may be the classic summer sipper, but it carries itself well into fall. Structured rosés made from grapes like Mourvèdre, Cabernet Franc, or Nebbiolo can stand up to richer fare while still delivering the juicy fruit that makes rosé irresistible. Served slightly less chilled than in peak summer, these wines take on a rounder presence.

  • Quivira Vineyards Wine Creek Ranch Rosé 2024 (Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, California) $31
    From Quivira’s organically farmed estate in Dry Creek Valley, this rosé shows both freshness and depth. Bright and juicy, it layers strawberry, watermelon, and blood orange with a hint of wild herbs. Crisp acidity and a dry, mineral-edged finish make it vibrant yet food-friendly.

  • Olga Raffault Chinon Rosé 2024 (Loire Valley, France) $24
    A benchmark Cabernet Franc rosé from the Loire’s Chinon appellation, this wine is elegant and refreshing. Delicate and precise, it offers notes of red currant, cherry, and citrus zest, alongside subtle floral notes. Lively acidity keeps the palate taut, finishing clean and graceful.

Reds for cooler nights

Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Cabernet Franc are perfect candidates for when the darkness of night begins to set in earlier, especially when served with a light chill. These reds also pair beautifully with transitional foods, such as grilled chicken with late-season corn one night, roasted mushrooms the next.

  • Colterenzio St. Daniel Pinot Nero Riserva 2020 (Alto Adige, Italy) $25
    From the cool slopes of Alto Adige, this Pinot Nero shows both elegance and vibrancy. Bright and silky, it offers notes of red cherry, raspberry, and cranberry, with hints of rose petal and spice. Lively acidity and fine tannins carry the wine to a long, graceful finish.

  • Michel Guignier Beaujolais 2023 (Beaujolais, France) $20
    From a grower celebrated for his hands-off approach, this Gamay is joyful yet serious. Juicy and pure, it brims with red currant, strawberry, and crushed raspberry, accented by hints of violet and spice. Light on its feet with bright acidity, it finishes with a gentle minerality that underscores its freshness.

  • Onabay Vineyards Côt-Fermented Cabernet Franc 2021 (North Fork of Long Island, New York) $22
    Long Island’s coastal freshness shines in this lighter style of Cabernet Franc, despite its touch of fuller-bodied Malbec (Côt). Aromatic and layered, it offers blackberry, plum, and cranberry alongside savory notes of graphite, pepper, and dried herbs. Smooth tannins and bright acidity lend the wine both structure and lift, finishing with a hint of spice and persistence.

Sparkling wines year-round
Effervescent wines never go out of season, but they feel especially celebratory now, as summer’s pace slows and autumn’s rituals begin. After all, the holidays will be here before you know it, and it never hurts to have a few bottles of bubbly on hand.

  • Benanti Noblesse Brut Metodo Classico 2021 (Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy) $50
    The Benanti family has been making wine on the slopes of Mount Etna since 1988, focusing on native Sicilian varieties and the volcanic terroir that makes this region so special. Their sparkling Carricante shows off one of Etna's most elegant white grapes in a traditional method format. Bright and precise, this sparkler opens with aromas of white flowers and lemon zest, followed by flavors of green apple, almond, and a chalky minerality, followed by a distinctive smoky edge and vibrant acidity, while fine bubbles and a clean, saline finish make it refreshingly complex.

  • Meinklang Prosa Pet Nat 2021 (Burgenland, Austria) $20
    Made in Burgenland, Austria from a blend of Blaufrankisch, Pinot Noir, St. Laurent, and Zweigelt, this delicious pét-nat rosé is round yet crisp and full of red berry flavors like strawberry and raspberry; subtle undertones of honey and balsamic vinegar with a distinct minerality.

And let’s not forget Orange!

Skin-contact whites, known as “orange wines,” are especially perfect now. Their subtle tannins and savory edge give them an autumnal feel without losing the refreshing lift.

  • Le Anfore di Elena Casadei Ansonaco Toscana IGT (Tuscany, Italy)
    From coastal Tuscany, this wine, aged in amphora, shows the native Ansonaco grape in its most expressive form. Textured yet vibrant with layers of apricot, tangerine, and dried herbs, and subtle notes of tea and saline minerality. The gentle tannic grip from extended skin contact gives the wine structure, while the finish is long, savory, and distinctive.