10 Fall Food and Wine Pairings

This fall recipe is the perfect way to begin the season of savory comfort food. Bone-in short ribs are braised with vegetables and rich red wine until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. The white Cheddar mashed potatoes are the pièce de résistance of this delicious meal.

Pair this recipe with a Pinot Noir or Merlot. These medium-bodied reds will highlight the earthy flavors of the dish. You can also use the same wine for cooking.

Try the Route Stock Route 99W Pinot Noir 2013.

Whether you’re celebrating game day or just enjoying a cool weather favorite, chili is a great fall food idea. It’s also an easy meal to serve to a crowd, which makes it perfect for entertaining.

Malbec is a great wine pairing for chili. The smoky notes in the chili match well with the slightly spicy flavors in a Malbec. This bold red wine can stand up to the robust flavors of your favorite chili recipe. We recommend the Jamieson Ranch Vineyards Whiplash Malbec 2014.

Apple desserts are an essential part of fall cooking. Whether you love apple pie, apple cobbler, or baked apples (all of the above?), some apple dessert is probably featuring in your fall recipe lineup.

Riesling is a great wine to pair with baked apples and other cooked apple dishes. The wine's sweetness is a good match for the sweetness of the dessert, and yet it is balanced by a high acidity.

Try one of these apple desserts with this Paul Cluver Close Encounter Riesling 2015.

Fall is a great season for entertaining, and so impressive appetizers are a necessity. These Rosemary Oven Roasted Mushrooms are the perfect elegant appetizer for any occasion. Pair them with Malbec or Pinot Noir. Malbec is fantastic with ultra-savory flavors like mushrooms, and Pinot Noir is a classic pairing. We recommend the Landmark Overlook Pinot Noir 2014.

Is there a more iconic fall food than squash? We don’t think so. Roasted winter squash like butternut, acorn, or delicata is a perfect match for Chardonnay. Chardonnay has plenty of body and rich flavor, often with a touch of butter that makes a spectacular complement for roasted squash. Try this Patland Chardonnay 2013.

This Pumpkin Quinoa Risotto is a creative twist on classic pumpkin recipes. Serve this delicious fall recipe with a wine like Chardonnay or Viognier. Both of these wines have great body and a rich flavor to match well with a risotto.

We recommend this Yalumba Virgilius Viognier 2014 for a fantastic pairing.

Try this recipe for Italian Sausage Bolognese when you want to have an elegant and easy fall dinner party. Sangiovese or Barbera would each make a great wine pairing for this dish. The Italian style of the wines would match well with the Italian dish.

Try it with the Peterson Dry Creek Valley Sangiovese 2013.

Turning on the oven for a roast is a sure sign that it is time to enjoy sweater weather. Enjoy this delicious dinner with light-bodied red wines like Grenache or Pinot Noir. Pork can also be lovely with white wine, so consider a Grüner Veltliner.

This Donkey and Goat Grenache Noir 2015 is an excellent option with this classic fall dish.

Pears are always a fall favorite, but they become dazzling when poached in red wine and served with mascarpone whipped cream. Serve this dessert with a rich and complementary dessert wine, such as this Rombauer Vineyards Vintage Port 2011.

Ending on a classic, Chicken Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms is a great recipe for fall. Enjoy it with the same wine that you use to make it, and you will be very pleased with the results. Consider trying this Talbott Kali Hart Pinot Noir 2013. Happy fall, everyone!