Ask the Experts

Cool change coming? Hit refresh on autumn with these new beers and wines

Autumn calls for woolly jumpers, hearty meals and bold drinks that stand up to the cooler evenings. Cosy up to your new season drinks list.

Read Time 5 Minutes

By First Choice Liquor Market

With summer well and truly over and your entertaining plans firmly planted in autumn, it’s time to hit refresh on your favourite drinks. Whether you’re in the mood for casual entertaining at home, or getting ready to celebrate a special occasion, now’s the perfect time to stock up on new-season drinks. We’re talking about those wines and beers that are bold enough to suit the richer flavours on your table and soften the nip in the air. You’ll always have your favourite drops standing by, so challenge yourself to try something new (the more the merrier, right?). Get started with these great-tasting drinks and food pairings.

Like sauv blanc? Try these bold whites

You may be used to choosing savvy b over chardy for backyard entertaining, but trusty chardonnay plays its part in making sparkling wines that are as refreshing as your favourite summer whites. Jacob’s Creek Reserve Chardonnay Pinot Noir is rich and nutty with clean citrus flavours and a soft finish. Pair it with creamy seafood or mushroom dishes.

If you’re asked to name an Italian white wine, pinot grigio is probably the first to roll off the tongue. But there’s another food-friendly Italian you need to get acquainted with. Fiano is fruit-driven like sauvignon blanc and great for pairing with salmon, curries and roast pork. Ready to try la dolce vita? Beyond Wonderland Organic Fiano is made with minimal intervention in North East Victoria and is perfect with eggplant parmigiana or slow-cooked chicken casserole. Or for Italian-grown Fiano, pick up Di Nello Fiano Terre Siciliane IGT. Crisp with honey and floral hints, it’s a good match for fish pie or mac and cheese.

If you’re set on the tropical and citrus flavours of sav blanc, look for blended whites that include it in the mix. Often associated with the Bordeaux region of France and the Margaret River region in Australia, semillon-sauvignon blends are deliciously well-balanced dry whites. Try Clairault Sauvignon Blanc Semillon for hints of pear, lychee and lemongrass that are lovely with baked lemon chicken or Thai-style dishes. Getting to know semillon also opens you up to new dessert pairings – when these grapes are affected by botrytis, the resulting dessert wines are gloriously sweet and fruity. Chill a bottle of Three Bridges Botrytis Semillon, with its apricot and marmalade notes, ready to pour when you serve up wine poached pears.

Like pinot noir? Try these lush reds

If you’ve been enjoying your slightly chilled pinot all summer, by all means keep it cool and carry on. But if you feel like a change of direction, head towards bolder styles that dial up the berry fruit characters. We’re talking merlot and cabernet-merlot blends – Evans and Tate E and T Cabernet Merlot has plum, vanilla and clove notes that work perfectly with slow-cooked lamb shanks or a retro veal meatloaf. Love the cherry flavours of pinot? They’re meatier in a malbec – pair the blackberry and fruitcake notes of Bodega Alamos Malbec with classic roast beef or porterhouse steak with garlic butter. Or go from cool-climate pinots to warm-climate garnacha (aka grenache) – these are fuller-bodied wines with the same juicy red fruit vibe. From the Rioja region of Spain, Campo Viejo Garnacha is a great match for paella, roast chicken or lamb ragu. Or go local with Running With Bulls Barossa Garnacha and pair it with roasted vegetable pizzas.

Like lager? Try these hazy pales

Aussie lager may be your go-to summer sipper, but autumn is a great time to expand your repertoire with the vast universe of craft pale ales. Refreshing like lager, easier to drink than some high-ABV IPAs and not too heavy on the hops, hazy pales are a little (cloudy) ray of sunshine for your autumn dinner table. Here are three fruity favourites you can serve up with grazing platters, hearty autumn salads and even baked desserts. Tinnies Hazy Pale has juicy tropical, citrus and stone fruit flavours. Ranked #21 in GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers 2022, Balter Eazy Hazy has hints of lime, passionfruit and coconut. Mountain Goat Hazy Summer Ale has notes of citrus, lime and coriander seeds.

Like IPA? Try these dark beers

As the food on your table gets richer and heartier, so can the beers. If you already love your ales, why not bring your guests over to the dark side with some dark ale and stouts. These autumn-friendly beer styles aren’t just delicious with sticky slow roasts, pies and casseroles, they’re also excellent partners for fruity or chocolaty desserts and puddings. Ranked #50 in GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers 2022, refreshing White Rabbit Dark Ale has hints of toffee and caramel. Brewed with roasted black malt, Coopers Extra Stout tastes rich and hearty with fruit and chocolate flavours and was ranked #93 in GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers 2022. Australian-made and great value, Tinnies Stout has roasted coffee and chocolate notes. Sip them all with self-saucing chocolate pudding, for the perfect end to your autumn Sunday.