September 17, 2024
As the summer winds down and the weather gets cooler, I’ll not only be throwing a sweater in my bag and digging out my closed-toe shoes but I’ll be partaking in the annual great wine switch: when I pivot from juicy rosés and dry whites to light, fruity reds. But with so many bottles to choose from and little time to peruse my local wine store and pepper the staff with questions, I decided to start ordering my fall red wine online this year.
Why order red wine online?
Ordering wine online, whether it’s red, white, rosé or sparkling, is not just for monthly clubs, subscriptions or tastings. In fact, once I know the exact bottle or even the specific type of wine I’m looking for, I can find great deals and more variety when looking on the internet. Plus, I save time.
“For long-term wine goals, like filling your cellar with fine, rare wines and interesting ‘house wines,’ ordering online is often best,” says Michael Evans, CEO and Co-Founder of The Vines. “It provides access to a broader range, including rare selections not available locally, and it’s efficient.” He also suggests subscribing to newsletters and emails from trusted online retailers, like The Wine Exchange, Saratoga Wine Exchange and Tribeca Wine Merchants — all of whom deliver nationwide.
What to look for in a red wine
But where to start? “The most obvious trend these days, when we get those early fall breezes, is a gradual pull toward chillable red wines. No one wants to cut the cord from refreshing libations too soon. Chillable red wines offer that perfect bridge to the big, juicy, heartwarming reds of the winter,” says Patrick Watson, owner and sales director of Smith & Vine in Brooklyn, New York. Come early autumn, his customers start searching for red wines like those from northern and central Italy, Rioja and other spicy Spanish reds, and lots of West Coast pinots. But for him, it’s all about the Rhone Valley. “Wines from Gigondas, Vacqueyras, the Côtes du Rhône. Give me some peppery syrah and garrigue.” Watson adds.
Of course, even if you’re not in a climate that suddenly switches weather, reds are still a popular choice come fall. “Despite living in Southern California, I try to embrace the seasons even amid the year-round 70-degree temperatures. With reds, in particular, I enjoy something more soulful and savory. Wines from Italy, specifically Piedmont and Tuscany, are a great example of this,” says Thatcher Baker-Briggs, court-certified sommelier and founder of Thatcher’s Wine in California. In addition, he points out that fall is actually the biggest season for wine. “When the weather gets cooler and we get out of summer, it is shipping season! Wine is a perishable product, and if you ship it in the middle of the winter or in the middle of summer, the bottles can get exposed to extreme temperatures and be damaged.”
Best red wines for fall
Ready to put down pink wine, say farewell to summer and make the switch to red? Here are some of the best bottles you can easily order online right now, according to our experts. Whether you want a few in the house for a sip or you’re gathering folks around the table for a dinner party or holiday (we see you, Thanksgiving), these are our favorite bottles of red wine.
Decibel Wines Hawke’s Bay Malbec
We like this New Zealand malbec not only for its balanced flavor and deep purple color but because it has excellent aging potential, which is unusual for such a low-cost wine. Watson likes it for its deeply concentrated fruits, which come with a backbone of delicate tannins — perfect for a fall feast of hearty rib eye or earthy vegetables.
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