Awesome Autumn Options!

Awesome Autumn Options!

Have you noticed that the air has turned colder? Have you noticed that your air conditioning is no longer needed? What will you do with all of the money you're saving from not running the air? I know! Buy heartwarming, pulse pounding, conversation rounding WINE! Once a year, at this time, a few autumn blends arrive to offer comfort to the weary wine deficient souls that live here. I will be helping you with three wines that are all limited in buying availability, but unlimited in opportunity for tasty food pairings and feisty friend farings! 

Today, we will be looking at Apothic Dark the seasonal offering from the Apothic series of wines available at stores everywhere. Apothic Red and White are popular throughout the year and Apothic Rose is bought in the summer months, but the limited Apothic Dark is definitely one to experience. With an abv (alcohol by volume) of 14% and sultry flavors of blackberry, blueberry, mocha, and dark chocolate with big tannins, this dry red wine is lush, like me! It is dry, but the flavors that pop on the palate make it agreeable to a sumptuously sweeter palate. Paired with dark chocolate toffees from Malley's would be as fine as with a smoky steak fillet. A little lighter and dry fruitier on the palate would be the seasonal offering from Ravenswood winery. "Besieged" is a blend of Zinfandel and everything else in the kitchen. It has an abv of 14.5%. It is dark with black cherry and blackberry, but does not have the dry tannins or big chocolatey richness of Apothic Dark. This wine would be better with all of your warm crock-pot fare with red meat as well as with grilled meats or chili. Besieged is a nice wine to bring to a grilling at a tailgate party or a block party in your neighborhood. Ménage a Trois' "Midnight" is the seasonal offering from the Ménage a Trois brand. It is a smooth Merlot blend with well-rounded Cabernet to bring it more into the blackberry, plum, strawberry category. It has an abv of 13.5%. It is good on its own or paired with a warm meatloaf on a cool autumn night. All three of these wines are perfect for a multitude of situations. Of the three, I would say that Apothic Dark is the most interesting of the bunch. 

But let’s be truthful here, the season is not just about drinking wine! You need to start stewing your mulled wine with spices as well! Now, you have all you need to snuggle in with an Amish blanket and the warm glow of a fire in the fireplace. Whatever you drink this month, make sure you have enough to share with a friend, whether they show up to drink it or not. The extra booze won't go to waste, I'm sure! Cheers!

Christian Fitzharris

Christian Fitzharris works in the wine and beverage industry and is a member of the Guild of Sommeliers in the Court of Master Sommeliers curriculum. He writes about wine and learning about wine for global service. He may be reached at winsomewinesomm@gmail.com

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Volume 7, Issue 10, Posted 2:10 PM, 10.02.2015