For a great Fall red, go with Gamay

We Canadians are so used to the changing of seasons – the quick shift from Indian Summer to crisp Fall, yet it’s that nosedive into Winter that seems to get every Canadian I know riled up. Lucky for Canucks, Winter isn’t here yet, and so as we begrudgingly tip-toe towards blizzard season, we might as well sip a glass of something that’s nice for right now.

My favourite red wines to recommend in Fall are those that are just full enough with a hint of spice. A bold and rich wine like an Amarone, requires a certain amount of emotional-readiness, hence I often reserve the big bottles for snowfall. Reds that fit Autumn’s bill, are medium-bodied, herby and fresh. Likewise, such wine are lovely with the bounty of Fall harvest – light enough to pair with veggies, but with sufficient “oompf” to get us through these newly chilly nights.

Gamay is a nice example. This tasty red varietal grows well in both Beaujolais and Ontario, and has naturally low tannins and high acidity, making it the ideal drinking buddy for harvest fare.

The Hidden Bench Estate Gamay 2019, $29.95, Vintages, hits the mark with this gently made wine. Un-fined and unfiltered, this Gamay shows off the Lincoln Lakeshore terroir with red berry character, and an elegant whisper of smoke and spice.

A household name for Beaujolais Nouveau, Georges Duboeuf does so much more than the candied red it’s known for. Case and point, this killer, the Georges Duboeuf Domaine Mont Chavy Morgon 2018, $22.95, Vintages. Morgan is a sublime sub-region within Beaujolais and produces complex and earthy Gamays. In the glass the wine shows off notes of boot-stomped cherry, forest floor and baking spices.

For a riper and fruiter style, snag a bottle of the Malivoire Gamay, $19.95, Vintages. This crowd-pleaser is big enough to stand up to lamb, yet juicy enough to sip solo.