As we move briskly into the true heart of fall, it’s time to pull out the sweaters and whip up the stews. Our favorite dishes shift from bright salads to savory soups, backyard BBQ to decadent risottos. And while classic autumn dishes tend to air on the savory side of things, many also boast an underlying sweetness, posing a pesky challenge for many vinous partners. Think toothpaste and orange juice. The natural sugars in roasted root vegetables, sweet sauces, and fruity jams or compotes can make ordinarily delicious wines taste bitter, acidic, and unpleasant. Sweetness in food may be one of most challenging obstacles in food and wine pairing, but don’t throw out that butternut squash yet! Here are a few of our favorites that will make your best sweet & savory dishes sing.
1. Off-Dry Riesling
Let us be clear – sweet does not mean cheap. Most Rieslings are indeed produced in an off-dry, or slightly sweet, style, but this has nothing to do with lack of quality. Because Riesling grows best in cold, marginal climates, winemakers often leave a small amount of natural grape sugar to balance out what would otherwise be a staunchly acidic wine. So to all who claim themselves foodies, Riesling should be your best friend. A brilliant balancing act between delicate fruit and piercing minerality, premium off-dry Riesling is the ultimate food wine. It makes sweet foods taste lighter, salty foods taste brighter, and its silky, sleek texture matches beautifully with savory grains and casseroles. And bonus – its typically low alcohol percentage makes it perfect for aggressively spicy dishes – i.e. hot chicken!
Try…
FOH Nashville Rockin’ Riesling
Mosel, Germany
$14.99 **Proceeds go to Feed Our Homeless Nashville Project**
2. Rich, Dry Rosé
Yes, Summer is over, but rosé is here to stay! Though many rosés are, in fact, seasonal productions, look to producers from flagship areas of Provence and southern France for year-round availability. This southern French, Grenache-driven blend is fruity and feminine like a white but structured and dry like a red. A crowd pleaser for all occasions, its soft red berry flavors sing at any temperature and play nicely with a variety of sweet and savory apps, dips, hors d’oeuvres, and sauces.
Try…
Gerard Bertrand Cote des Roses Rosé Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah
Languedoc, France
