Autumnal Whites

Although this wine may come from the Northern hills of Italy, this wine could dupe any experienced wine taster into believing it was from Burgundy's limestone soils. Opening with notes of fresh-struck match, cream, and ripe citrus, the palate is rich, and glassy, with ample fruit weight, and a zesty, bright finish.

With Chardonnay, particularly one with a bit of richness, you can never go wrong with a lovingly roasted chicken with seasonal vegetables and crispy potatoes, though this wine's brightness will make it an excellent pairing with seaborne foods too - think a pan-seared cod filet with pesto and balsamic reduction, or scallops with beurre blanc.

Vinho Verde, or "green wine," in Portuguese, has become a staple of easy, summer sipping for a reason, but there's more to this region than just simple, straightforward wines. The Aphros Loureiro opens with stylish notes of freshly-struck match, seabreeze, fresh leon, and green apple, and moves to a laser-focused palate that reflects the same notes, with lip-smacking acidity.

You can taste the sea in this wine, making it a natural pairing partner for seafood and fresh fare: enjoy beside chilled shrimp cocktail, freshly-shucked oysters, a crab louie salad, or a salad niçoise without the fish for a vegetarian option.

Although Muscadet may be renowned for its directness and simplicity, wineries like Domaine du Grand Chêne are seeking to tease out more nuance, weight, and seriousness from this once-humble wine. The "Les Cailleries" opens with rich notes of ripe citrus, and a touch of anisette spice, moving to a palate with real breadth and complexity, and a bright, food-friendly finish.

A perfect wine to pair with richer seafood preparations like lobster thermidore or smoked fish dip, the Les Cailleries has enough richness to go toe to toe with other, richer proteins too, like a pork shoulder steak with mustard cream sauce, or for vegetarians, a pan-seared cabbage with tahini. Although Muscadet may be renowned for its directness and simplicity, wineries like Domaine du Grand Chêne are seeking to tease out more nuance, weight, and seriousness from this once-humble wine. The "Les Cailleries" opens with rich notes of ripe citrus, and a touch of anisette spice, moving to a palate with real breadth and complexity, and a bright, food-friendly finish.