Autumn brings earthy flavours, roasted vegetables and rich, warming meals, and it’s the perfect season to open a bottle with more depth. From pumpkin soup and mushroom risotto to game, pies and apple crumble, here’s your guide to the best wine pairings for classic autumn dishes.
What wine goes with autumn food?
Autumn dishes call for wines with a little more body and earthiness than summer ones. Here are our top picks:
- Pumpkin and squash: a Viognier, a Chenin Blanc or a lightly oaked Chardonnay
- Mushrooms: a Pinot Noir or an aged Chardonnay
- Game and duck: a Pinot Noir, a Syrah or a Rioja
- Pies and sausages: a Merlot, a Côtes du Rhône or a Malbec
- Autumn desserts: a late harvest Riesling, a Tokaji or a Tawny Port
What wine goes with autumn soups?
Pumpkin soup
Pumpkin soup has a naturally sweet and creamy flavour. A Viognier with floral and stone fruit notes complements its richness, while a Gewürztraminer enhances the soup’s warm spices. For something drier, a Chenin Blanc works beautifully, adding more freshness. If your soup is topped with cream or roasted seeds, a lightly oaked Chardonnay is another great match.
Vegetable soup
A simple vegetable soup, made with onions, carrots, celery and potatoes and finished with a spoonful of crème fraîche, is mild and comforting. A soft, unoaked Chardonnay or a dry Chenin Blanc matches its gentle creaminess, while a herby Sauvignon Blanc picks up the fresh herbs on top.
Mushroom soup
A mushroom soup is earthy and savoury, so it suits wines with similar notes. A light Pinot Noir echoes the mushrooms, while a dry Amontillado Sherry brings nutty flavours that are lovely with a creamy soup.
What wine goes with autumn mains?
Mushroom risotto
An earthy mushroom risotto calls for wines that echo the depth and umami of the mushrooms. A classic choice is Pinot Noir, especially from Burgundy or Oregon, which balances savoury notes with bright acidity. If you prefer white, an aged Chardonnay with a touch of oak adds nutty complexity that pairs perfectly with the risotto’s creaminess.
Butternut squash casserole
A butternut squash casserole is rich, hearty, and slightly sweet. Richer whites are your go-to options – try a lightly oaked Chardonnay from California or Burgundy or a Marsanne-Roussanne blend from the Rhône. If you prefer a red, a soft Merlot from Bordeaux adds round fruit flavours without being too powerful.
Stuffed squash
A stuffed squash, filled with grains, nuts or cheese, makes a lovely vegetarian main. A Chenin Blanc or a Viognier suits its sweetness, while a juicy Grenache works well if the filling is spiced.
Roast duck with apples
Roast duck and apples is a classic autumn main. The richness of duck and the sweetness of apples pair beautifully with the cherry and earthy notes of Pinot Noir – try one from Oregon, Burgundy or Germany (known as Spätburgunder there). For a white option, a Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley also works well, its acidity balancing the fat while its apple notes echo the fruit in the dish.
Venison and pheasant
Autumn is game season in the UK. Rich, lean venison loves a Syrah from the northern Rhône, whose peppery, dark fruit flavours match the meat, or a Rioja Reserva. Pheasant is more delicate, so a red Burgundy or another earthy Pinot Noir is the perfect partner.
Coq au vin
Coq au vin is chicken slowly braised in red wine with mushrooms and bacon. It’s traditionally made with red Burgundy, so a Pinot Noir is the natural match. The golden rule: serve the same style of wine you cooked with.
Pies
A steak and ale pie needs a red with some body, like a Merlot, a Malbec or a Côtes du Rhône. For a creamy chicken and mushroom pie, choose a rich Chardonnay or a light Pinot Noir.
Sausages and mash
Sausages and mash with onion gravy is British comfort food at its best. A fruity, easy-drinking red like a Côtes du Rhône, a Beaujolais or a Primitivo from Puglia is perfect. For more warming dishes, see our guide to wine with stew.
What wine goes with roasted autumn vegetables?
Carrots, parsnips, and beets take on caramelised sweetness when roasted – like in this recipe. Pair them with a Grenache-based Côtes du Rhône or a Zinfandel from California. A dry Riesling also works, balancing the sweetness with crisp acidity, if you want a white option. Serving them with a roast? Find more ideas in our guide to wine with a Sunday roast.
What wine goes with autumn desserts?
Apple pie
No autumn feast is complete without apple pie. Try a Late Harvest Riesling for a luscious, honeyed pairing, or a sparkling Moscato d’Asti for something lighter and refreshing. For a richer option, Tokaji from Hungary is a beautiful match with baked apples and cinnamon spice.
Apple crumble
An apple crumble with custard is sweet, buttery and comforting. A Late Harvest Riesling or a Sauternes brings honeyed fruit and fresh acidity that cut through the custard.
Sticky toffee pudding
Sticky toffee pudding is very sweet, so it needs an equally sweet wine. A Tawny Port, with its caramel and nutty notes, or a sticky Pedro Ximénez Sherry are perfect. Find out more in our guide to Port.
Poached pears
Pears poached in red wine and spices are a lighter option. Serve them with a glass of Moscato d’Asti or a sweet Banyuls, which echo the fruit and spices. For more sweet wines to try, see our guide to dessert wine.
Pumpkin pie
Spiced pumpkin pie pairs well with a Tawny Port or a sweet Madeira. It’s a Thanksgiving favourite, so for a full feast, see our Thanksgiving wine pairing guide.
What wines should you drink in autumn?
As the weather cools, it’s time to swap crisp summer whites and rosés for fuller, earthier styles:
- Reds with soft tannins: Pinot Noir, Merlot and Grenache suit most autumn dishes
- Richer whites: oaked Chardonnay, Viognier and Chenin Blanc stand up to creamy, roasted flavours
- Beaujolais Nouveau: released every year on the third Thursday of November, it’s a fun, fruity wine to celebrate the new harvest
- Fortified wines: Port and Sherry come into their own on colder evenings
For cheesy autumn and winter dishes, like raclette and tartiflette, see our guide to wine with winter cheese dishes.
FAQ
What’s a good red wine for autumn?
Pinot Noir is one of the best, as its earthy, red fruit flavours match mushrooms, game and roasted vegetables. For heartier dishes, a Côtes du Rhône or a Rioja is a great choice.
Can you drink white wine in autumn?
Yes, just choose a richer style, like an oaked Chardonnay, a Viognier or a Chenin Blanc. They pair beautifully with pumpkin, squash and creamy dishes.
What wine goes with Bonfire Night food?
For sausages, jacket potatoes and chilli, choose a fruity red like a Malbec, a Primitivo or a Côtes du Rhône. A glass of mulled wine is also a warming treat by the bonfire.
What wine goes with game?
Lean, rich game like venison suits a Syrah or a Rioja, while lighter birds like pheasant and partridge are best with a Pinot Noir. Choose wines with good acidity and earthy notes.
