Our Top Picks for Fall Wines & Cocktails
Embrace the crisp air and get cozy
As the weather turns brisk and leaves begin to turn to shades of red, orange and gold before they fall, Autumn arrives. What better way to savour this season of charm, warmth, and spices than with a carefully curated selection of wines and cocktails that perfectly complement the warm, cozy ambiance of the season?
Whether you’re looking for the perfect bottle to uncork by the fireplace or a cocktail that will be a hit at your next dinner party, Canadian Liquor Store has compiled a list of wines and cocktails.
As sweater weather and indoor gatherings become the norm, there is the perfect drink for every moment. As we journey through vineyards and the world of mixology, let us all raise our glasses to this wonderful season and explore the delights that await. Cheers to Fall!
Wine
From robust reds that warm the soul to white wines as crisp as an Autumn breeze, our team of wine experts has thoughtfully curated a selection of exceptional wines that will help you embrace the autumnal spirit.
White Wine
Autumn is the perfect time of year for full-bodied white wines. If you are looking for something new, these six delicious options are perfect for sipping on a chilly evening.
Querciabella Batar IGT Toscana Bianco, 2019
This top-rated Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco blend is a luxurious white wine. Its beautiful texture and minerality make this white a perfect addition to any private collection, as it can age wonderfully for decades.
Chateau Latour Martillac Blanc, 2014
A classic, elegant blend, this white is some of the best value. Made with excellent quality, this French white has a vibrant acidity, with green apple, fennel flavours, and a hint of jasmine.
Olivier Leflaive Montagny 1er Cru, 2019
Coming from the Montagny 1er Cru appellation in the Cote Chalonnaise subregion of Burgundy, Olivier Leflaive Montagny 1er Cru is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. The result is a wine with a good balance of acidity and minerality. The wine has a long, persistent finish with ripe fruit, mineral, and oak flavours. The wine is aged in oak barrels, with 20% new oak, for up to 12 months. With aromas of citrus fruits and notes of white flowers, honey, and vanilla, this fresh, lively white wine has great value for its quality.
Stags Leap Wine Cellars, Karia Chardonnay, 2019
Reminiscent of the season's first frost, this graceful Chardonnay has an inviting aroma of apricot, honeysuckle, white peach and brioche with a mineral-floral note. Perfect for sipping as the days grow darker earlier, either in front of a warm fire or around a table with friends, the wine has a bright, flavourful mouthfeel with a savoury voting, texture, and citrus flavours.
Alb De Purcari, 2019
Much like a first love, this sensual, slightly velvety experience is beautiful but complex. Made with 50% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Grigio, and 5% Pinot Blanc, the grapes are harvested and selected by hand in Moldova and produced using traditional methods. This wine is aged for 6 months in French oak barrels. With a light golden colour, the wine has a complex aroma of sweet fruits, with an aftertaste of fine honey notes with spices.
Paul Mas Viognier, 2020
Viognier grapes can be difficult to make wine from, as they can become flabby if the grapes are not harvested enough to maintain the acidity. Offering typical Viognier qualities of stone fruit and floral notes, this elegant and balanced wine is the perfect pairing for grilled pork or chicken. This budget-friendly option is a great option for dinner parties
Red Wine
There’s a reason why red wine comes to mind when thinking of the perfect Autumnal drink. As the season changes, these nine exceptional wines will be perfect for chilly days and nights snuggled up by the fire or shared with loved ones around a table.
Château d’Armailhac, 2019
A deep garnet red colour, Chateau d’Armailhac is full of intense aromas with blackberry and almond chocolate notes. Made with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot,10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot this wine is powerful on the palate, with a slight peppery and minty aroma. This elegant wine has notes of roasted coffee beans and licorice, with a long and round finish. This harmonious wine will warm you from the inside out.
Corimbo I, 2014
A wonderful wine to enjoy with meat dishes, Bodegas La Horra’s Corimbo I is an intense, complex wine with a large mineral component that gives depth to the wine. Delicate, long, suggestive and intense all at the same time with notes of menthol and black cocoa, this wine has a voluminous and full taste that carries a freshness combined with black fruit and cocoa.
Fattoria Del Pino Brunello, 2017
Much like 2015, Fattoria Del Pino’s 2017 Brunello is true to the Sangiovese variety and has an expressive nose of cherry, fresh Italian herbs, and tomato leaves. This wine pairs perfectly with tomato-based pasta dishes like bolognese or lasagne.
Château Latour Martillac Rouge, 2014
This joyful red wine brings together 60% Cabernet, 32% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, creating a very expressive wine with a wonderful balance of crisp acidity, tannins, and fruit.
Jadot Beaune 1ER CRU Clos Des Couchereaux, 2017
One of the largest producers of estate Burgundies, Louis Jadot has been a popular winemaker for the past 150 years. This pinot noir shows ripe fruits of raspberry and cherry, with hints of spice and smoke. Dense and structured, this rich, warm wine is the perfect remedy for crisp Fall evenings.
Chateau Fombrauge, 2019
While there is no definite consensus on whether this wine from St. Emilion is right for drinking or holding in the cellar, Chateau Fombrauge is ideal for anyone looking for a Merlot-dominant wine. Consisting of 9-% Merlot and 10% Cabernet France for structure, this soft, fleshy wine with notes of plum, blackberry, clove walnut and black tea will evolve over time but can be enjoyed now.
Château Des Moriers Moulin-O-Vent, 2014
This natural wine has a slight funk on the nose, with a ripe, red fruit and spice aroma. Moulin-O-Vent evokes a rustic feel with intense flavours of ripe red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, lemon, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. A dry, medium-bodied wine with good acidity and low, soft tannins, this fresh, juicy, fruity wine is one to sip slowly and savour.
Giribaldi Barbera D’Alba Rie, 2015
With aromas of tilled soil, underbrush and dark berries, this is a savoury, easygoing wine with fresh acidity and pliant tannins. With notes of black cherry, clove, and a hint of licorice, this 2015 Barbera makes a wonderful hostess gift for anyone who enjoys a savoury, drinkable red.
Ronan By Client, 2016
With a wonderful price point, making it great for gifting, this brisk, red and black-fruited Bordeaux has bright flavours and a smooth palate. With a focus on fruit and its tannin and acid structure rather than oak, this firm, chewy and gastronomic Bordeaux is delicious.
Autumn inspired Cocktails
When it’s after 5:00, ditch the pumpkin spice latte and opt for something more substantial. These seven fall cocktails are sure to warm up your evenings and give you that coveted cozy fall feeling.
Cocktails for large gatherings
If you are having a dinner party, batch cocktails can make prep much easier. Our Thanksgiving Sangria or a refreshing Negroni Sbagliato are both great cocktails for groups that pack a punch.
For the pumpkin lovers
Our Pumpkin Spice Margarita has a fun fall take on a salted rim with a combination of coarse sea salt, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
The Pumpkin pie martini is a great substitute for pumpkin pie (or have both if you really love pumpkin pie). Our recipe makes two, but with one can of pumpkin puree, you can make 8.
A White Russian is a classic after-dinner drink. Adding pumpkin puree gives this treat a wonderful autumnal twist.
Bright and refreshing cocktails
Give your brunch a fall twist with apple cider mimosas. Using apple cider instead of orange juice and rimming the champagne flutes with ground cinnamon and sugar will add a little warmth to any brunch.
For anyone who loves bright, bubbly cocktails, an Autumn Fizz is a crisp, refreshing cocktail with bright fall flavours.
Canadian Liquor Store has everything you need to expand your wine cellar and your liquor cabinet for gifts, gatherings big and small, and after-work pick-me-ups. Explore our recommended spirits for our cocktails on our Autumn page, and please enjoy responsibly!