Comfort wines
As the leaves begin to turn and the evenings grow a little cooler, our thoughts naturally shift towards the comforting flavours of autumn. This month’s selection has been chosen with the season in mind: wines with richness, texture, and warmth, balanced by the freshness needed to carry us from the last days of summer into the heart of autumn.
Rather than focusing on a single region or grape variety, we’ve assembled four wines that perfectly suit this time of year. They are the kinds of bottles that shine alongside seasonal ingredients, Sunday roasts, mushroom dishes, and richer flavours.
To start we head to the Southern Rhône, where Château Pesquié's Viognier delivers the aromatic richness and generous fruit that make it a perfect match for autumn dining. The white wine theme continues with A.A. Badenhorst's Secateurs Chenin Blanc, one of South Africa's benchmark wines, offering texture, concentration, and remarkable versatility at the table.
Our journey then adds in Austria, where Judith Beck’s vibrant Ink showcases a fresh, approachable style of red that is as versatile as it is delicious. Finally, we finish in Valencia, where Neleman’s organic Nucli Tinto provides all the ripe fruit and gentle spice needed for the season's heartier dishes.
Together, these wines celebrate everything we love about autumn: comfort, character, and the pleasure of lingering a little longer over a good meal and a great glass of wine.
Cheers!
Philippe
Viognier 'Le Paradou', Château Pesquié, Rhone, France 2025
Producer
Nestled at the foot of Mont Ventoux in the Southern Rhône, Château Pesquié has been family-owned for generations. The estate's elevated vineyards enjoy cooler temperatures than much of the Rhône Valley, helping preserve freshness while allowing Viognier to develop its signature aromatic richness.
Tasting Notes
Fragrant and inviting, with aromas of ripe peach, apricot, orange blossom, and honeysuckle. The palate is rounded and expressive, balanced by refreshing acidity and a soft, elegant finish.
Food Pairing
Delicious with roast chicken, butternut squash dishes, creamy pasta, or mild curry recipes.
Secateurs Chenin Blanc, A.A. Badenhorst, Swartland, South Africa 2025
Producer
Produced in South Africa's Swartland region, Secateurs Chenin Blanc comes from old bush vines planted in granite and shale soils. Winemaker Adi Badenhorst is widely regarded as one of the pioneers behind Swartland's rise to international prominence, crafting wines that combine richness, texture, and freshness.
Tasting Notes
A beautifully expressive Chenin Blanc with notes of pear, yellow apple, citrus, and ripe stone fruits. The palate is textured and concentrated, balanced by crisp acidity and a lingering mineral finish.
Food Pairing
Excellent alongside roast pork, baked salmon, pumpkin dishes, or mature hard cheeses.
Ink, Judith Beck, Burgenland, Austria 2023
Producer
Judith Beck is one of Austria's leading biodynamic winemakers, based in Gols, Burgenland, near Lake Neusiedl. Her vineyards benefit from warm Pannonian influences balanced by cooling lake breezes, producing wines that are generous yet beautifully fresh. Beck's minimal-intervention philosophy allows the purity of the fruit and vineyard to shine through.
Tasting Notes
Bright and juicy, with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, raspberry, and a touch of spice. The palate is smooth and medium-bodied, with supple tannins and vibrant fruit that make it wonderfully approachable.
Food Pairing
A perfect partner for autumn charcuterie boards, roast pork, mushroom risotto, or herb-roasted chicken.
Nucli Tinto, Neleman Wines, Valencia, Spain 2025
Producer
Neleman Wines is based in Valencia, in eastern Spain, where vineyards are planted at altitude to retain freshness despite the Mediterranean climate. The winery is committed to organic farming and sustainable practices, producing wines that express both the landscape and local grape varieties with clarity and character.
Tasting Notes
Generous and fruit-driven, with flavours of blackberry, plum, black cherry, and gentle spice. Soft tannins and a smooth texture make this an easy-drinking red with plenty of depth and warmth.
Food Pairing
Perfect with slow-cooked stews, lamb dishes, grilled vegetables, or a traditional shepherd's pie.