Seven Wines to Fall Into This Season

‘Tis the season for autumnal wines!

But what exactly are autumnal wines? Well, there’s no single definition, and it’s true that you can and should drink what you like all year. For me though, autumnal wines share one of more of these characteristics: baking spices, vanilla, earthiness, and dried herbs. These taste and aroma notes conjure up fall and fall foods for me!

Keep reading for some of my favorite autumnal wines, plus tasting notes, food pairings, and select bottles—all under $30. (Including special links for my Pennsylvania readers!)

Seven Autumnal Wines Under $30

Loire Cabernet Franc 🇫🇷

Notes: Red fruits, dried herbs, green bell pepper, earth, peppercorns

Pair with: Turkey with cranberry sauce, salad with warm goat cheese, classic chili

My favorites: Château du Petit Thouars “L'Epée” Chinon ($20; $22 in PA) and Château du Hureau “Tuffe” Saumur-Champigny ($23)

Côtes du Rhône 🇫🇷

Notes: Plums, blackberries, black cherries, baking spices, black pepper

Pair with: Pot roast, bacon cheeseburger, lentil stew

My favorites: Château de Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône ($20; $18 in PA) and JL Chave Selections "Mon Coeur" Côtes du Rhône ($20; $23 in PA)

Bourgogne Rouge 🇫🇷

Notes: Cherry, raspberry, mushroom, earth, forest floor

Pair with: Mushroom pot pie, roast chicken, beef bourguignon

My favorites: Frédéric Esmonin “Les Genévrières” Bourgogne Rouge ($25; $23 in PA) and Domaine Leymarie-Ceci "Cuvée Andrew" Bourgogne Rouge ($28)

Chianti Classico 🇮🇹

Notes: Cherry, dried herbs, tomato, strawberry, clay, prune

Pair with: Short ribs with polenta, supreme pizza, lasagna

My favorites: Vallone di Cecione Chianti Classico ($20) and Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico ($26; $25 in PA)

Etna Rosso 🇮🇹

Notes: Dried cherry, strawberry, iron, dried herbs, white pepper, wildflowers

Pair with: Arancini with marinara sauce, spaghetti carbonara, pasta alla norma

My favorites: Pietradolce Etna Rosso ($25) and Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso ($25 in PA)

Rioja Reserva 🇪🇸

Notes: Black cherries, black plums, vanilla, toast, dill, baking spices

Pair with: Chorizo tacos, eggplant parmesan, lamb tagine

My favorites: Bodegas Lan Rioja Reserva ($23) and Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva ($20; $19 in PA)

Priorat 🇪🇸

Notes: Plum, black raspberry, strawberry, dusty earth, licorice, vanilla

Pair with: Barbecue ribs, mushroom risotto, braised lamb chops

My favorites: Alvaro Palacios "Camins del Priorat" Priorat ($30) and Mas d'en Gil "Bellmunt" Priorat ($25)