Colorful foliage, cool evenings and the perfect bottle of wine (not to mention the kiddies headed back to school) are just a few reasons why we love this season. One of the greatest things about living in Chattanooga is that we are not so far south that we miss the “change of seasons”. Being from New York I have a special fondness for the distinct transition of the climate four times a year. It always feels wonderful around this time to leave behind the hot, sticky days of summer and welcome the warm days and chilly nights of autumn. No matter what the weather brings or what season it may be, I’m always in the mood for my favorite beverage: wine.

            I love all kinds of wine. I leave nothing out… sparkling, white, blush and red. I guess you can say that these are my fall colors. It is true that there is a wine for every occasion, and every season, and there are so many styles of wine offered to us in the world. Some folks may find a particular brand of wine that they like, and they will stick with it all year, others, enjoy choosing different wines throughout the year. I like to compare our wine style choices with our clothing choices. I change my style of wine the same way I switch out my wardrobe each season. During the summertime, we wear lightweight clothing like shorts, tank tops and flip-flops. So, naturally the thought of a clean, refreshing wine springs to mind, and the next thing you know you are reaching for a light-bodied, crisp, cool glass of Pinot Grigio from Italy or a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Other good choices for summer are: Albarino from Spain, Riesling from Clare Valley, Australia, Chenin Blanc from South Africa (also known as Steen), and of course…sparkling wine year round. If you love red wine, try a light California Pinot Noir (preferably from Carneros or Russian River Valley), or a slightly chilled Beaujolais-Village from Burgundy.

            As fall rolls in and cooler weather approaches, we look for something warmer and more in the comfort zone. So, you push those tank tops to the back of the closet and pull out your long sleeve shirts, slacks and light sweaters. For cooler or cold weather, the wine should have more weight and body, similar to our clothing. Medium-bodied whites and reds are certainly in order. Some of my favorites are: Semillon from Australia, Gewürztraminer from Alsace, Meursault and Cru Beaujolais from Burgundy, Valpolicella from Italy and of course…. rosé year round. Deeply colored, bold, dry rosé is perfect for this time of year, and is produced in many regions, including, Spain, France, Italy and Australia to name a few.

            But, there is no need to sway from your current favorite wine this fall. If you prefer a certain varietal, try a heavier version of that grape. For example, let’s say you love Sauvignon Blanc from Chile or California, try one from Pouilly-Fume or Sancerre, you may find the same wonderful characteristics with a touch more body and depth. The truth is, there are no rules in my book for drinking wine, except one, “drink what you like and like what you drink”, no matter what time of year it is.