by Elizabeth Rooney

Fall is about football, giving thanks, and cozying up by the fire on those chilly nights. While the Autumn leaves fall faster than you can count, take in the beautiful view while sipping on your favorite wines and enjoying a great meal that compliments it!

Since Fall reminds me of warm deep colors, let’s start off with red wine! Whether you like a light, medium, or hearty big red there are foods that compliment each very well.

Pinot Noir, Grenache, Pinotage, and Gamay all pair fabulously with rich fish, roasted veggies, and white meat. A recipe that goes great with a Pinot Noir is a rich roasted goose with grilled vegetables and roasted potatoes. If you want to keep it on the healthier side, choose sweet potatoes for your starch.This Roasted Goose Recipe will keep your friends and family coming back for more!

If you prefer a medium red over a light red and are looking for a great appetizer to pair with, try the Peperonata Crostinis with Goat Cheese recipe. This quick to make appetizer will leave your palate satisfied, especially after a nice sip of Merlot or Sangiovese. Medium red wines pair with cheese, red, white, and smoked meats.

Big rich red wines such as Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon pair well with hard cheese, red meat, and cured smoked meat. This delicious 5 star Garlic Prime Rib recipe would be just the right meal to keep you full and satisfied. Cheddar, sharp, aged gouda cheeses all will bring out the rich flavors of the wine.

Experts say when trying to pair a wine with a meal, think if your meal is light or hearty. Heartier meals go well with reds, while lighter meals pair well with whites. With that being said… On to white!

Who says you can’t enjoy a little seafood in the Fall and Winter seasons?! One of my favorite wines, Chardonnay, pairs perfectly with Sea Bass. If you are hosting a dinner party or just want to make a romantic meal for your loved one, check out this delicious Sea Bass Recipe provided by St. Francis Winery. Cheeses that pair well with Chardonnay are Brie, Cantal, and Bucheron.

If you like a little fizz in your wine, try a Prosecco or Champagne. These sparkling wines will make your taste buds dance. If you want to turn up the party in your mouth, pair these wines with veggies, soft or hard cheese, carbohydrates, or fish. A perfect way to start your Sunday morning is with a delicious meal and a tall flute of Champagne. The perfect Fall breakfast to pair with your Champagne is Spiced Pumpkin Pancakes. Between the spice, vanilla and syrup this pairing will be sure to put a big smile on your face.

If you’re not too big on sweets try a light dry wine. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio go excellent with a fresh salad, grilled veggies, and a white meat. Spring Panzanella with Asparagus is a great fresh green meal that goes excellent with Pinot Grigio.

Whether you enjoy red, white, rich, or light wine; there is always a food that pairs well with it. Here are a few tips when preparing to plan a meal around a specific wine:

Watch the weight! Light food goes with light meals, if your food is filled with spice and weight you will need a wine that can stand up to your meal!

Drink a wine YOU like! Choose a wine that you like to drink instead of hoping a food will match it. That way if you don’t think your meal and wine go that well with each other you will still be able to enjoy your glass of wine.

Dessert wines should be sweeter than the dessert! Dessert wines such as Sherry or Port go excellent with desserts but remember to serve a dessert that if a little less sweeter than your wine. A great dessert recipe that goes well with dessert wines and that is perfect for this Fall season is an Apple & Brown Butter Tart.

This helpful chart, provided by Wine Folly, will keep you on track when preparing meals around your favorite wines.

Also, if you are not sure about what cheeses to pair with your wine, this helpful Cheese & Wine website gives you all the information you need to know!

This Fall season, grab a bottle of your favorite wine and put your wine and food pairing knowledge to the test, I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised!

This article is presented by ShopRite of Yardley in Oxford Oaks Shopping Center, the state-of-the-art grocery store that is here to fulfill all of your fall & holiday shopping needs. Three hundred well prepared associates are ready to serve you as you shop aisles filled with the freshest varieties of produce, meat and seafood. In addition to offering the convenience of online shopping options, the 57,000-square-foot ShopRite of Yardley was designed with convenience in mind.  They even offer on-site childcare for children ages 3 to 8 for up to  90 minutes! 

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