The days are getting shorter, the first cold weather is on its way, and it's getting dark earlier: here comes the start of autumn! So, after a day's work, consoling yourself with a good meal and a fine glass of wine is almost a must!  But which Italian wine should you pair with typical British autumn dishes?

Autumnal wines and seasonal produce

Autumn marks the end of summer and fills the cities and countryside with warm colours: yellow, orange, red and brown are the shades that also tinge the fruit and vegetable shops. Eating foods in season is healthy for the environment, for people and also for your wallet. 

That is why it is always a good idea to respect the seasonality of products when thinking about what to eat. The ideal wines to enjoy at this time of year also have specific characteristics: aromas of underbrush, red fruits and tobacco, low alcohol and tannicity, good structure and refreshing acidity. All these characteristics match well with autumnal dishes, without overpowering their flavours.

Typical British dishes and Italian wines, a strong bond 

Italy, rich in indigenous grapes, such as Nebbiolo or Verdicchio, produces diverse regional wines: this wide offering allows one to choose the right bottle for every occasion, to match any type of dish to enhance its characteristics, either by harmony or contrast. In this season, the plentiful autumn products provide scope for creativity in the kitchen, thanks to the unlimited recipes that can be made with pumpkin, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, broccoli, cauliflower and many other vegetables.

White wines and British autumn dishes

The arrival of the cold weather suggests abandoning fresh salads for hot dishes that warm and soothe; so make room for dishes such as soups, casseroles, roasts and much more. 

For example, on a rainy evening, one can pair a Welsh rarebit with a good Vermentino, a well-structured white wine, or with a bubbly, such as Franciacorta or Trento DOC, which balance the cheddar's savouriness with their freshness and effervescence. These wines, together with Riesling and Lugana, are ideal to pair with recipes that feature courgettes, the autumn food par excellence, as the star.

Another British dish that goes well with white wines is tuna casserole. When flavoured with herbs, it favours wines such as Sauvignon Trentino DOC 2018 'Vigna Tratta' or a good Pinot Grigio Alto Adige DOC, which, together with Chardonnay, can be paired with both tasty fish dishes or a succulent chicken or pork roast.

Autumn makes one want to turn on the oven and bring lots of steaming hot dishes to the table, such as fantasy gratins with their golden, crispy crusts, mainly based on seasonal vegetables, from sweet potatoes to parsnip and kale gratin with cheese, and cauliflower. To accompany these dishes, you can choose an excellent Fiano or a 'Ronco dei Sassi' Sauvignon Blanc Collio DOC 2020, ideal for enhancing a wide variety of dishes.

Traditional British meat dishes and Italian reds 

English cuisine includes many tasty, succulent meat dishes, from roasts to stews. Such goodness can only be accompanied by the right wine: white meats are often enhanced by a good white or rosé wine, while more elaborate and complex preparations or game require a more structured red wine.

Among the icons of autumn in the UK are soups and roasts: one can enjoy oxtail soup with the famous and elegant Barolo, or hearty bangers and mash with a velvety and intense Barbaresco, a Lagrein or a Cabernet Franc, which with their tannicity lend themselves well to purging the mouth from the juiciness of the meat. 

With regard to roasts, often accompanied by fluffy Yorkshire puddings, the characteristics of the meat, (succulence, tenderness and flavour intensity) must be taken into account for the right wine pairing. With lean meat roasts, such as chicken, turkey and lamb, it is best to opt for a Chianti, an Amarone della Valpolicella or a Pinot Noir, whose lightness and medium structure do not mask the delicate flavour of these meats. With beef, however, it is the structured Cabernet Sauvignon that is the winning pairing.  

Now that you know the best Italian wines suitable for enhancing your favourite autumn dishes, dazzle your guests with these pairings! The experts at Svinando have selected labels from the best wineries for you to taste right at home!