13 Nov 2024
As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, our palates naturally gravitate towards the rich, warming embrace of autumnal red wines. This season, it’s all about savouring the deep, complex flavours that mirror the changing landscape around us.
From the robust and spicy to the smooth and velvety, autumnal reds offer a perfect companion to cozy evenings and hearty meals.
One of the joys of autumn is the opportunity to explore a variety of red wines that truly come into their own during this time of year. The wines I’ve selected this week not only complement the season’s cuisine but also enhance the overall sensory experience of autumn.
Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône 2023 (£8 Sainsburys)
The Les Dauphins wines are produced by the Unions des Vignerons des Côtes du Rhône – a 65-year-old co-operative whose belief in the power of a union lies at its heart. Its aim is to produce wines that encapsulate the fabulous diversity of the Rhône Valley vineyards, and to do this sustainably. All viticulture and winemaking focuses on promoting biodiversity, reducing quality and frequency of treatments, maintaining plant cover on uncultivated areas and preserving water resources.
This Syrah Grenache blend is an ideal choice for a mid-week dinner. It boasts ripe summer fruit flavours,
spicy notes, hints of liquorice, and mellow tannins. The grapes are harvested at night to preserve their aromatic intensity and aged for four months to achieve a smooth, mellow profile.
In the Rhône, vineyards have been handed down through generations, with current growers deeply committed to sustainability. They actively support initiatives to protect their local terroirs and biodiversity.
Reflecting this commitment, Les Dauphins wines now come in bottles that are 18 per cent lighter, weighing just 410g. This change allows for 150 more bottles per pallet and uses raw materials sourced within a 100km radius of the winery.
Additionally, Les Dauphins has introduced a new cap design and a cleaner, brighter label for autumn/winter 2024. This November, every bottle of Les Dauphins wines offers the opportunity to win a ‘joie de vivre’ weekend in Paris – simply upload proof of your purchase and be in with a chance to win! £50 UK bistro vouchers can also be won every week! @lesddauphinswine
Terrazas De Los Andes Organic Malbec 2022 (£17.50 Sainsburys, Ocado)
Argentinan winery Terrazas de los Andes has just released its first organic Malbec.
“The first step on our path to becoming organic certified,” explains Lucas Löwi, estate director.
Terrazas de los Andes farms a mosaic of over 200 lots in the seven most recognised appellations of Mendoza, growing 100 per cent pure mountain fruit which is irrigated precisely and sustainably with pristine glacier water. As the winery’s owned vineyards were still in transition to organic certification for this vintage, the grapes for this wine were purchased from three of the Uco Valley’s best suppliers, located in Paraje Altamira, Los Chacayes and Gualtallary.
The wine undergoes a 12-month aging process in oak barrels, ranging from new to four uses, while a portion is kept in tanks to preserve the fruit’s freshness and purity.
This results in a wine with vibrant, fruity aromas, accented by mountain spices and chocolate notes. On the palate, it delivers impressive volume, tension, and length. It pairs wonderfully with grilled or stewed meats, pasta with a tomato and meat ragu, or even chocolate-based desserts with red fruit and nuts, as recommended by the Terrazas team. Mrs M and I had it with fillet steak and peppercorn sauce – delicious!
Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages ‘Combe Aux Jacques’ 2023 (£11-13, Tesco, Asda, Ocado, Booths, Morrisons)
Maison Louis Jadot is a distinguished name in the world of Burgundy wines, with a legacy dating back to 1859 when it was founded by Louis Henry Denis Jadot. The winery’s journey began even earlier, in 1826, with the acquisition of the Beaune vineyard, Clos des Ursules.
Today, Louis Jadot oversees an impressive 528 acres of vineyards, including some of the most celebrated Premier and Grand Cru sites in the Côte d’Or. The winery is known for its dedication to preserving the unique characteristics of each vineyard, employing a blend of traditional and modern winemaking techniques to achieve this.
Under the expertise of winemaker Frédéric Barnier, who joined the team in 2010, Louis Jadot continues to produce wines that are true to their origins. A large proportion of the gamay grapes come from the village of Régnié and this wine is made at their Combe aux Jacques winery.
This wine showcases a vibrant ruby red hue, inviting you to delve into its aromatic complexity. The nose reveals a captivating mix of red and black fruits, such as black cherry and raspberry, enhanced by delicate notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.
On the palate, it is fresh and lively, with bright, juicy fruit flavours that are well-balanced. The wine’s soft tannins and good acidity make it exceptionally easy to drink, ideal for enjoying while young. Its light texture and fruity character make it a versatile choice, pairing wonderfully with a range of dishes from grilled meats to mild cheeses.
Cune Crianza 2019 (£10.49-14.50 Majestic, Ocado, Sainsburys, Waitrose)
The first wine produced by CVNE was named after its initials. A simple orthographic mistake where the V was written as U resulted in the creation of the Cune brand.
The wine was initially produced as a red ‘clarete’, a fine wine in the style of the Claret produced by the great chateaux of the Medoc. This wine, formerly known as ‘Tercer Año’ or ‘3rd year’, is today named ‘Crianza’.
The vineyards producing Cune Crianza are situated in Rioja Alta, conveniently close to CVNE. This proximity ensures that the grapes reach the winery in optimal condition. Approximately half of these vineyards, located in Haro and surrounding villages, are owned by CVNE, while the rest of the grapes are sourced from local growers.
This wine opens with fresh red fruit aromas, accented by hints of liquorice. The bouquet is beautifully complemented by sweet notes of vanilla, toffee, and a touch of light toast from aging in American oak barrels.
On the palate, it is perfectly balanced and round, with a refreshing finish that leaves a long, inviting aftertaste of soft pastry notes. This wine pairs wonderfully with Mediterranean cuisine.
Cune Reserva 2019 (£10.40-14.50 Majestic, Ocado, Sainsburys, Waitrose)
The grapes for Cune Reserva come from their own vineyards known as Caballeros, Santo Tomás and Sarnamoros, and these are all to be found in Rioja Alta in the villages of Rodezno, Villalba y Haro. The soils are mainly chalky clay and are at an altitude of between 500 and 600 metres. The vines are 20-25 years old and all grapes for Cune Reserva are hand-harvested.
This wine greets you with aromas of forest fruits, including blackberries, cherries, and strawberries, intertwined with hints of liquorice. The barrel aging adds layers of spice, vanilla, and anise to the bouquet.
On the palate, it is smooth and balanced, thanks to its gentle tannins that provide roundness. A touch of acidity at the finish ensures a long-lasting, fruity aftertaste.
This versatile wine pairs beautifully with fish, meat, cheese, and stews.
Abbots & Delaunay Domaine De La Métairie D’Alon Pinot Noir Village 2020 (Organic) (£21.99/18.99 Mix 6 at Majestic)
Domaine de la Métairie d’Alon is a 25-hectare estate planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines, located in a mountainous area around the village of Magrie, between Limoux and Roquetaillade, in the Languedoc’s Haute Vallée de l’Aude. It is composed of exceptional terroirs devoted to the production of high-end Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, crafted from organically grown, handpicked grapes. The wines from other top-quality plots are blended in “Le Village” cuvées which, like in Burgundy, are representative of the terroir around of the village of Magrie as a whole.
A stunning cherry red hue catches the eye. The nose is delightful, brimming with red berry aromas and floral hints of rose, accented by subtle notes of ginger and cherry.
On the palate, it is both fresh and rounded, with nuances of liquorice and white pepper. This wine exudes freshness, elegance, and finesse, offering a long, balanced finish that showcases the true character of the Pinot Noir grape, reminiscent of a classic red Burgundy.
So, as you settle down into the cosy evenings in front of the fire, be sure to pop a cork on one of my autumnal reds.
