It is habitual to change our menus in the Fall season. Seasons change. Palates change. We trade fresh green salads for warm hearty stews. Roasted corn is replaced by root vegetables. Mangos are tossed aside in favor of apples. As our choices in menus change, so do the wines we drink.
I have preached against what I call “seasonal palate disorder” or SPD. Seasonal Palate Disorder is when wine drinkers reserve certain wine styles for a particular season. White wines are consumed in the summer months and red wines in the winter.
White wines, like red wines, can provide you some comfort in the chilly Fall months. Choosing wines that have complex flavors and that are medium to full-bodied, is the key to transitioning your wine style from summer to fall.
Here are two wines by African American Vintners to try this fall.
Wade Cellars, Three By Wade Chenin Blanc 2021 ($20)
Follow former basketball star Dwayne Wade on Instagram and you’ll get the impression that he and wife Gabrielle Union-Wade are all fun and games. Don’t get it twisted, they may play on the Gram, but when it comes to his wine game he is all business. His winery Wade Cellars released their first vintage (2012) in 2014. Wade Cellars produces approachable wines in partnership with the famous Napa winemakers Pahlmeyer Family. Wade celleras offers a variety of wines to explore from Chenin Blanc to Rosé to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Try Three By Wade Chenin Blanc 2021 as your introduction to the winery. Chenin Blanc is a grape made famous in the Loire Valley of France and in South Africa. The 2021 Three by Wade is made from organically farmed grapes in Clarksburg, California (about one hour east of the Napa Valley). This wine is an unfading beauty that can be enjoyed during all four seasons. The color is a pale citrine. The nose is lovely with scents of fresh lemon and apples. The palate is medium-bodied, with mouthwatering acidity and loaded with green apples and lemon flavors.
Three by Wade Chenin Blanc 2021 is flexible and can be paired with an array of meals from brunch to dinner. Try it with sweet potato chips, creamed sauces, and shellfish. This is also a great wine to enjoy on the porch while watching the sunset.
2018 Longevity Wines Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($20)
Phil Long is a Wine business OG. His winery “Longevity Wines is a family-owned, urban winery and certified minority-owned business based in the Livermore Valley wine region of Northern California.” The brainchild of Phil Long and his wife Debra Long, the winery opened in 2008. After Debra’s passing from cancer in 2019, Phil built on their success by making Longevity Wines a national brand.
Longevity wines offers a plethora of wines to please the palate. From American varietals like Zinfandel to Bordeaux and Rhone-style wines, there’s a lot to keep a wine lover’s palate engaged. Longevity Wines even makes a sparkling wine made of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Head to their website for a list of available wines.
Order the 2018 Longevity Cabernet Sauvignon to get a taste of this winery’s style. The 2018 Longevity Cabernet Sauvignon is a vibrant garnet color. The nose is seductive with red and black berries. The palate is rich with notes of blackberries, black cherries, oak, and black licorice.
Pair the 2018 Longevity Cabernet Sauvignon with burgers, grilled steaks, or vegetarian chili. Also, a perfect wine to pair with a conversation by the campfire or fireplace.
Samples of these wines were purchased at Kimbark Beverage Shoppe a Black-owned wine and spirits shop in Chicago Illinois.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Regine T. Rousseau, wine and spirits expert, writer, presenter, and media personality, focuses on making wine knowledge accessible to people at all levels of proficiency. She is the nominee of 2020 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards, Wine Educator of the Year, a WSET Level 3, International Sommelier Guild Level II, and Executive Bourbon Steward, Stave and Thief. Regine has traveled around the globe sharing her wine and spirits expertise. She has authored or been featured in articles in the New Yorker, Wine Enthusiast, Pix Wine, Black Enterprise, Black Food and Beverage, Wine Spectator, the Zoe Report, Forbes, Chicago Tribune and Pix.Regine regularly contributes to WGN’s Daytime Chicago and has appeared on numerous television programs including; Sister Circle Live, Windy City Live, Good Day Washington, WGN Midday Fix, Live In The Bay, Today in Naville among others.
