The Gills & Co Team's Favourite Wines of Autumn

As the days get shorter and the nights get cosier, the wines calling our name have also changed. Whilst we all have our year-round favourites, the team has picked their favourite wines for customers to enjoy during a cosy autumnal evening at Gills.

Andy:

Olifantsberg, Soul of the Mountain 'The Matriarch’, 2019 Breedekloof | Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Chenin Blanc (£34 take home /£39 drink in)

Andy’s year-round favourite slots nicely into the season as it's rich and filled with orchard fruit. It pairs perfectly with both of our vegetarian small plates, the Forestiere and the Hashbrown. Andy thinks that in autumn, if you’re going to pick a white, what you really need is some body and texture to give a little warmth.

Vic:

Precision Wine Co, Prototype Lodi Zinfandel, 2022 California | Zinfandel (£40/45)

As we hit Autumn, Vic says she almost immediately transitions from drinking whites to reds. Her go-to at the moment is Prototype's Zinfandel. The grapes are grown in California’s Lodi region, which is renowned for producing some of the world’s best Zinfandel. It has warming notes of ripe blackberry and spice, with a subtle hint of vanilla that just feels so wonderfully comforting this time of year.

Rhea:

Langmeil, Three Gardens Grenache, 2022 South Australia, Barossa Valley | Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Counoise, Cinsault (£28/33)

I love Australian wine anyway, with the sun-soaked grapes lending a nice, fruit-forward character to classic varieties. However, what’s special about this one is the added warmth and spice it brings. The peppery notes from the Shiraz work lovely with the Mourvedre to bring an earthy element that perfectly complements the Grenache’s red fruits. This wine is a nice complement to autumn dishes, whilst still maintaining the approachability Australian wine is known for.

Pat:

Domaine Rolly Gassmann, Gewurztraminer, 2019 Alsace | Gewurztraminer (£42/47)

Pat loves Gewurztraminer from around the world, but Rolly Gassmann’s Gewurztraminer has all the ginger spice and exotic fruits you could want. These all mirror similar flavours we associate with autumn, like cinnamon and nutmeg. It feels warming. The strong aromatics of Gewurztraminer also mirror the evenings; it lingers and brings with it a feeling of cosy luxury.

Unlike crisp whites, Gewurztraminer has weight and texture. The Rolly Gassman is a generous wine, perfect for the shift away from salads towards richer comfort food.

Steve:

Genoels Elderen, Gold Label Chardonnay, 2019 Haspengouw | Chardonnay (£55/60)

This Chardonnay is a showstopper of Belgian winemaking. It’s got a nice balance of richness and freshness. On the palate, it brings orchard fruits alongside toasted notes and almond, yet it never feels too heavy.

For autumn, Steve thinks it’s spot-on. The wine has enough warmth to match roasted meats, mushroom dishes, or anything with cream, while it still has a bright acidity. It’s the kind of Chardonnay you can enjoy by itself or pair with some plates from the menu.

Gaz:

Jean Marc Burgaud, Morgan Les Charmes, 2023 Beaujolais | Gamay (£34/39)

There’s something wonderful about this Gamay. It doesn’t try to be heavy or overcomplicated, yet it’s vibrant, fruit-driven, and extremely drinkable.

As the weather turns cooler, Gaz loves Gamay for its balance; it has the freshness to keep things lively, but enough depth to sit comfortably alongside autumn flavours on the menu like the Pork Cottaletta, Mushroom Forestiere, or a charcuterie board. It’s the kind of wine that works as well on a Wednesday night as it does when celebrating with friends.

Lauren:

De Loach, Heritage Pinot Noir, 2022 California | Pinot Noir (£36/41)

This Pinot Noir feels like the wine version of roasted autumn ingredients. It’s light on its feet but still has plenty of flavour. What Lauren likes most is how it works with food. Pinot Noir isn’t heavy, so it doesn’t overpower dishes, but it has enough character to sit alongside the cavatelli pasta, beef tartare, and even the trout dishes.

So now that we've shared ours, we encourage you to come and discover your own autumn favourite. Take a look at our wine list and book a table for your own cosy evening at Gills. The team, as always, will be delighted to share the bottles we love or surprise you with something entirely new.

Article written by Rhea Harris