Red wine quick picks
Budget red wine: Hahn Pinot Noir
Mid-priced red wine: Mazzei Chianti Classico Riserva Ser Lapo
Splurge red wine: Stags' Leap The Leap Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon
Red wine bundle: Firstleaf Award Winning Reds
As the summer winds down and the weather gets cooler, I’ll not only be throwing a sweater in my bag and digging out my closed-toe shoes but I’ll be partaking in the annual great wine switch: when I pivot from juicy rosés and dry whites to light, fruity reds. But with so many bottles to choose from and little time to peruse my local wine store and pepper the staff with questions, I decided to start ordering my fall red wine online this year.
Why order red wine online?
Ordering wine online, whether it’s red, white, rosé or sparkling, is not just for monthly clubs, subscriptions or tastings. In fact, once I know the exact bottle or even the specific type of wine I’m looking for, I can find great deals and more variety when looking on the internet. Plus, I save time.
“For long-term wine goals, like filling your cellar with fine, rare wines and interesting ‘house wines,’ ordering online is often best,” says Michael Evans, CEO and Co-Founder of The Vines. “It provides access to a broader range, including rare selections not available locally, and it’s efficient.” He also suggests subscribing to newsletters and emails from trusted online retailers, like The Wine Exchange, Saratoga Wine Exchange and Tribeca Wine Merchants — all of whom deliver nationwide.
What to look for in a red wine
But where to start? “The most obvious trend these days, when we get those early fall breezes, is a gradual pull toward chillable red wines. No one wants to cut the cord from refreshing libations too soon. Chillable red wines offer that perfect bridge to the big, juicy, heartwarming reds of the winter,” says Patrick Watson, owner and sales director of Smith & Vine in Brooklyn, New York. Come early autumn, his customers start searching for red wines like those from northern and central Italy, Rioja and other spicy Spanish reds, and lots of West Coast pinots. But for him, it’s all about the Rhone Valley. “Wines from Gigondas, Vacqueyras, the C?tes du Rh?ne. Give me some peppery syrah and garrigue.” Watson adds.
Of course, even if you’re not in a climate that suddenly switches weather, reds are still a popular choice come fall. “Despite living in Southern California, I try to embrace the seasons even amid the year-round 70-degree temperatures. With reds, in particular, I enjoy something more soulful and savory. Wines from Italy, specifically Piedmont and Tuscany, are a great example of this,” says Thatcher Baker-Briggs, court-certified sommelier and founder of Thatcher’s Wine in California. In addition, he points out that fall is actually the biggest season for wine. “When the weather gets cooler and we get out of summer, it is shipping season! Wine is a perishable product, and if you ship it in the middle of the winter or in the middle of summer, the bottles can get exposed to extreme temperatures and be damaged.”
Best red wines for fall
Ready to put down pink wine, say farewell to summer and make the switch to red? Here are some of the best bottles you can easily order online right now, according to our experts. Whether you want a few in the house for a sip or you’re gathering folks around the table for a dinner party or holiday (we see you, Thanksgiving), these are our favorite bottles of red wine.
“I love pinot noir for its supple textures, decadence and versatility,” Watson says. And we love this one hailing from California’s Russian River Valley, which adds a bit of spice to its jammy, ripe stone fruit notes.
A darker red Chianti with tart cranberry and cherry notes, this mid-priced wine will give you a good reason to stay home on a cool fall night. "While Chiantis are more approachable these days, we are seeing many more that are getting creative with their use of oak, making them feel more textured on the palate," says Liz Martinez, general manager of Kiln, in Alexandria, Virginia. "You definitely want to pair it with Tuscan cuisine. Think steak Florentine or pasta with red sauce.”
“Red Zinfandel is such a fun varietal. It offers soft tannins with juicy dark berry fruits,” Watson says. Though it can be a heavier sip, we couldn’t get enough of Rombauer’s red berries and spice with notes of dried herbs.
This cabernet sauvignon comes with a modern twist: After an initial run in American and French oak wine barrels, it’s then barrel-aged in bourbon barrels, giving it just a touch of smoke on top of its classic fruit and tobacco notes. Pair this with roasted or grilled veggies this fall, and keep some tucked away for that winter Provencal beef stew you’re dreaming about. “Cabernet is a wine for the consumers [who] are looking for something more robust. These wines tend to have a bit more tannin, body and fruit. Great for people [who] like fatty steaks or braised meats," Martinez says.
Made from sangiovese grapes, this popular Chianti classico from Banfi has sweeter notes, like chocolate and vanilla, yet still sips spicy. “Chianti has that classic Italian feel — easy to drink, a little bit of cherry and made to go with pasta or pizza,” Evans says.
We like this New Zealand malbec not only for its balanced flavor and deep purple color but because it has excellent aging potential, which is unusual for such a low-cost wine. Watson likes it for its deeply concentrated fruits, which come with a backbone of delicate tannins — perfect for a fall feast of hearty rib eye or earthy vegetables.
“Every time I have a classic Chianti, I’m often swept up in the romance of conversation, food and lifestyle,” Watson says. This Ruffino Ducale Oro may give off heady hints of cedar, tobacco and leather, but you’ll be able to balance that out with its sweeter fruit notes, which pair well with tomato-based pasta sauces and grilled pork.
“Bordeaux is all about balance — fruit, earth and a bit of elegance,” Evans says. And this Tempo d’Angelus,?with its medium body and black currant and plum flavors, is a more affordable version of an expensive Bordeaux from the Chateau Angelus.
This California pinot noir hits up vines from up and down the coast, with grapes from Sonoma, Monterey and Santa Barbara counties. A sip of this wine gave us hints of baking spice and blackberries, but the nose is all raspberries and black currants. Watson likes its versatility because it allows you to get extremely creative with pairings. “Or just sip with nothing at all,” he says.
Though The Vice started making wines nearly a decade ago in Napa Valley, their approach was simple: bringing pricey wines to the budget-minded. We are all for it with this easy-drinking cab that’s priced right for everyday sipping.
This zinfandel blend from California is both spicy and earthy, but we loved its tinges of strawberry and rhubarb to take the edge off. “Zinfandel of the past probably seemed pretty overly fruity to some, but I have found that as wine trends lean more toward elegant styles versus concentrated and rich, there are some really great examples of zinfandel being produced," Martinez says. "Many of the wines we are seeing show that same spicy fruit but more restrained than before. Many have a nice juicy lift and minerality too.”
This Vin de France wine is a grenache and syrah blend, and it’s more than just a pretty label. We put this bottle into our wine fridge and poured it chilled to indulge its juicy, jammy flavor with just a hint of thyme, which made it even more interesting.
“Pinot noir can be as easygoing or as complicated/complex/interesting as you would like, or are willing to pay for," Martinez says. "They can vary quite a bit in style, so if someone would like something light bodied with nice fruit, this is the way to go." This medium-bodied, budget bottle from the central coast of California makes our list because we would never guess you could nab it for under $15. It drinks nice and smooth, and according to Evans, it’s got that perfect balance of fruit and earthiness, which makes it super versatile for meals like roasted chicken or even a simple pasta dish.
"Cabernet sauvignon wines often feature an oaky, dark-fruit profile that complements autumn's coziness," says Steven Karataglidis, sommelier at the?Fairmont Royal York?in Toronto, Canada. "When it comes to food pairing, cabernet sauvignon pairs well with bold and hearty dishes, such as roasted beef and lamb, as its higher tannins help cut through rich, fatty meats." And if you’re going to splurge, this Stags' Leap cabernet sauvignon is the way to go. We were hooked by its gorgeous cassis, blackberry and floral nose, but it was the full-bodied taste — rich with espresso, chocolate and even black licorice — that kept us coming back for more.
Not in the mood to pick and choose your own favorites? Firstleaf, our top pick for the best wine subscription, will send you a box of 12 award-winning bottles you can taste and pour for friends and family. From merlot to pinotage, you can experiment to find your favorites, then bookmark them on the site to order again.
