Does the weather change what’s in your glass? Learn the secrets of wine seasonality and pair the right one with the shifting weather outside.

Do you ever think about seasonal wine? You know, drink a specific wine for each season? Think a bold red, like Syrah, with winter weather. Evidently, it makes sense. However, is it wrong to drink a crisp Sauvignon Blanc in the middle of winter? Of course not! What am I talking about, then? Well, I’ve already written about pairing wine with food, with mood, and even with music. In all those cases, the “perfect” wine depends on personal preferences. Selecting a wine based on seasonality is no different. I’m only offering suggestions.

Also, I will be using early, mid, and late season instead of months. I live in Chile, in the southern hemisphere, and our seasons are opposite to the ones north of the equator. So, for instance, January for us is not cold, it’s early summer.

With all that out of the way, let’s get started talking about seasonal wine.

Autumn Seasonal Wine

I’m starting with Autumn because this is the season for harvesting the grapes. Oh, and stay away from pumpkin spice wine. We can do much better.

Early Fall Seasonal Wine

It’s still hot enough for flip-flops during the day, but you walk around with a sweater, ready for the crisp evenings ahead. Food is still fresh, so your drinks should still be chilled. If you’re like me, you’ll still be clinging to al fresco meals and patio parties.

I’d be showing up with a bottle of Chardonnay to that party. A Burgundian oak aged Côte de Beaune for the night, but maybe something fresher, like a Chablis, at lunchtime.

Mid Fall Seasonal Wine

We’re in the heart of autumn. You’ve probably already washed and stored your shorts and summer dresses. Trees are an explosion of colors and the ground crunches as you step over dry leaves while walking. It’s great weather for a campfire if you’re the outdoorsy type, or for cheese fondue inside if you’re not.

This one might feel… abstract. But I’m partially selecting a seasonal wine based on color. Mid autumn is the time for Orange wines. And I understand there are many styles within them, but, since these wines are fermented in contact with their skins, they are still crunchy but tend to have more body than their white equivalents. Enough body and crunch for fall.

Late Fall Seasonal Wine

Above I added a disclaimer about disregarding months. I did it thinking about this time in the season. Think about it, for all of you reading me in Europe and North America, it’s mid-December and you’re ready to pop that Champagne you’ve been saving for the holidays. And I want to be clear: yes, Sparkling wine is appropriate for December, regardless of the temperature outside. However, late autumn is actually mid-June for those of us further south.

Therefore, regardless of any holidays, you should consider a red wine that’s bold but not overpowering. I like an old vine Carignan for this time of year: spicy, herby, earthy. It’s like everything you might add to flavor roasted meat, but in a bottle. If you can find one from Maule here in Chile, go for that one. It won’t disappoint.

Winter Wine Seasonality

We’re in bold red wine country now! Let’s get out of the cold and uncork some of them!

Early Winter Seasonal Wine

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, and in the lane, snow is glistening. Luckily, we’re inside, where the fire is dreamy and delightful. We’re eating braises and soups while wearing cardigans and corduroys.

Oh, and we’re drinking Syrah. I already mentioned Syrah in my intro, didn’t I? Let’s change it up, keep it interesting. Let’s go with Sangiovese, then, why don’t we? And I’m thinking Tuscan vinification here. Any would do, from Brunello to Nobile. But in my mind, it’s simpler, it’s good old Chianti Classico. A couple of glasses of it and the right company and I’m good. Let it snow.

Mid Winter Seasonal Wine

The novelty of the first rain or snow of the season has long faded, and we’re trying to stay warm and to withstand the hostility of being outside. Indoors, with the heater on (bonus points if you have a fire going) it’s comfy, safe, cozy.

The wine for looking at rain or snow through the window is the same wine you uncork when you have Coltrane playing on vinyl. It’s Bordeaux, of course. Left bank, preferably, with their bold tannic Cabernet Sauvignon heavy blends. Naturally, any Bordeaux will do, even those with blends dominated by Merlot or Cabernet Franc. Similarly, your favorite New World Cab will also do. I’m partial to high altitude Chilean ones from Alto Maipo.

Late Winter Seasonal Wine

Hope is right around the corner. If you’re in the U.S., you already know how much longer you must endure because a specific groundhog in Pennsylvania. If the sun is shining, you’re already thinking about less fabric covering your legs and arms.

You’re ready for lighter reds, but they still need to pack a punch. The sun is out, but heat is an illusion. This is the time for Garnacha. A versatile red popular in Spain and southern France, where it’s known as Grenache and is widely used in Rhône blends. Other regions known for this varietal are Paso Robles in California and McLaren Vale in Australia.

Spring Wine Seasonality

It’s decidedly warmer, but it’s not yet hot. Still, your mind is telling your body that it needs fresher drinks. It’s the season of allergies and hope. What a combo!

Wine for Early Spring

Days are still chilly, but the worst of it has already passed. You find yourself dreaming about longer, warmer days ahead. Your mood improves as the snow melts around you. You feel triumphant even if you’ve won nothing. Well, there’s certainly something worth celebrating. You might be able to have lunch outside for the first time in months. At least without a blanket over you or a heater by your side.

And that calls for Champagne. Or at least Sparkling wine made in the traditional method. Go for Cava, Franciacorta, or any of the other great examples coming from Coastal Chile or California. However, life is short and you’ve made it through winter. You deserve to splurge. Go and get that bottle of Champagne.

Wine for Mid Spring

Winter cold is gone and summer heat has not yet arrived. Now, I love summer temperatures, but I know enough people who disagree. For them, we’re entering the climatic Goldilocks. Spring brings beautiful tones of green in leaves and grass, and joyful colors in the many flowers popping up everywhere.

You know what else has an attractive color? Rosé wine does. This style of wine has seen a popularity increase in the past few years, but it’s still kind of underrated, I feel. For many it’s just a simple light wine with a pretty hue. But Rosé can be much more than that. Provence in southern France excels in quality wines of this style.

Wine for Late Spring

This was my favorite time of year when I was a chef. Markets filled with strawberries, asparagus, apricots, and breba figs. Most days are hot, but you still get the odd rain to cool down your mood. You’re ready for a refreshing white.

And there are plenty of refreshing whites to choose from, but for this one I’m going with Riesling. It’s floral, mineral, fruity, and, depending on the style, can be bone dry, sweet, or a few shades in between. It’s versatile and acidic, therefore great with food.

Summer Wine Seasonality

We’re reaching the end. Only three more months and three more wines. It’s pool party and park picnic time. It’s time for more whites.

Early Summer Seasonal Wine

I write, so I don’t have to adhere to a dress code for work. You better believe that by this time of the year I’m already exclusively wearing shorts. Here in Santiago, these are the hottest weeks of the year, so we’re all looking for shade and anything refreshing.

And, honestly, I can’t think of many wines more refreshing than coastal, mineral whites. I could mention any of the few available, but I must go with Sauvignon Blanc here. I’m partial to Chilean Sauvignon Blanc from Casablanca, but you can also drink one from New Zealand or one from Sancerre.

Mid Summer Seasonal Wine

We’re in actual summer now, aren’t we. Vacations, road trips, and beachside activities are all activities that come to mind when I think about this month. Laid-back living.

I’m going for Vinho Verde as a recommendation for midsummer goings-on. Vinho Verde is typically a blend of white wine grapes from northern Portugal. Some of the grapes used to make it are Loureiro, Arinto, and Alvarinho, which is named Albariño just across the border in Galicia, Spain. So, it’s ok to drink that instead.

Late Summer Seasonal Wine

Leaves are turning, nights are slightly longer, and you’re back to work or school. But it’s still hot outside, and you’re not done partying outdoors. We’ve come full circle, but you’re not ready for Chardonnay quite yet.

What I recommend is that you go for another white that also has a fuller body and can withstand oak aging for later in the month. I’m talking Viognier, my last suggestion for seasonal wine.

The Last Drop

Pinot Noir is, curiously, missing from my seasonal wine recommendations, isn’t it? And it’s because, to me, that’s the answer to what to drink every month. And I’m pinpointing red Burgundy wines here. However, Pinot Noir is the answer to the what-to-drink question if I were recommending myself a wine for each season, because I like Pinot Noir from Burgundy.

And that’s the key. I like Pinot Noir from Burgundy (or Pinot Noir in general, to be honest). You might, and indeed probably do, have a different favorite. So, I close this article repeating my disclaimer from the introduction. You can drink whatever wine you fancy on whatever day you decide. My whole article is a handy guide, yes, but also for-entertainment-only content. So, I’m curious, do you agree with my seasonal wine recommendations above? What’s your go-to for any season? Let me know down in the comments!

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Cover Image: Wines for the changing seasons. Photo by Zero Take.