There is a magical time of year when the calendar marks the turn of the season, and the weather instantly proves it right. After a week where the first autumn rains and heavy downpours made their appearance, our body and palate naturally ask for a change of pace. We leave behind the extremely light, refreshing wines of peak summer; now, as the cool breeze sets in when stepping outside, we begin to crave white wines with more body, structure, and richness, as well as light, fluid, and fruity red wines that comfort without overwhelming.
It is a truly special transitional period: a gastronomic shift where we look for wines with texture and character, yet preserving a vibrant freshness capable of awakening the senses. To celebrate the arrival of autumn, last Friday we hosted our first Pop-Up Tasting of the Month at our store—an informal, welcoming gathering full of great discoveries.
What is a Pop-Up Tasting? Wine Without Labels or Formality
A Pop-Up Tasting is our concept for experiencing wine differently: informal, dynamic, and above all, genuinely accessible. Forget about traditional, long, and sometimes rigid wine tastings.
A Pop-Up is an ephemeral gathering spot right inside our wine shop, designed so you can drop by, taste a pair of wines specially curated for the season, share impressions, and discover new Designation of Origin regions or grape varieties in just a few minutes. No complicated bookings or intimidating jargon: just you, a glass in hand, and the joy of good conversation among friends.
The Transitional White: Volume, Smoothness, and Mineral Freshness
When the weather cools down and rainy days arrive, we naturally move away from the high-acid or ultra-light whites of summer. We crave something more comforting: white wines with body, lees aging, or a subtle touch of oak that bring texture and structure while maintaining a lively acidity to cleanse the palate.
The Queen Variety of Seasonal Transition: Godello
At our first Pop-Up Tasting, the main white protagonist was Godello, an indigenous variety that perfectly embodies this seasonal shift.
Mouthfeel & Texture: Godello has a unique ability to coat the palate. Thanks to lees stirring (battonage), it offers a velvety feeling and an almost luscious mouthfeel that feels instantly welcoming as temperatures drop.
Aromatic Profile: It delivers a rich palette of aromas that evolves in the glass: from white and yellow stone fruit (vine peach, apricot) to notes of baked apple and subtle floral and fresh herb undertones.
The Secret to Balance: Despite its body and structure, it preserves a backbone of mineral acidity that prevents any heaviness. It is a white wine with muscle, yet nimble and refreshing.
A Bold Pairing: Cream Cheese, Fig Jam & L’Escala Anchovy Toast
At Wonderful Wines, we love steering clear of clichés. You know our motto: taking risks with bold, unexpected pairings that spark excitement on the palate and prove that wine is pure fun. To pair with the rich texture of Godello during this Pop-Up Tasting, we crafted a bite that had it all.
Sweet & Savory Harmony: The natural sweetness of autumn figs combined with the savory, umami power of L’Escala anchovies creates a vibrant contrast that instantly wakes up the palate.
A Play on Textures: The creaminess of the cheese connects seamlessly with the smooth, lees-aged mouthfeel of the Godello.
The Wine’s Role: The crisp mineral acidity of Godello serves as the perfect palate cleanser: it cuts through the intensity of the anchovy, balances the sweetness of the jam, and leaves you ready for the next bite.
A daring, well-rounded, and local pairing that became one of the evening’s biggest highlights!
The Fluid Red: Elegance, Fresh Fruit, and Just the Right Oak
If white wines in autumn seek texture and volume, red wines for these early weeks call for a different approach: fluidity, freshness, and subtle oak integration that enhances rather than hides the fruit. As rain cools down the evenings, returning to red wines feels natural, but without jumping straight into heavy or overly concentrated bottles. We seek charm, silky tannins, and lively acidity.
Reinventing Tempranillo (Ull de Llebre)
At last Friday’s Pop-Up Tasting, the red counterpart was led by the Iberian peninsula’s flagship variety: Tempranillo (known locally as Ull de Llebre). However, we deliberately bypassed heavy, overly oak-dominant profiles to favor a modern, dynamic, and deeply expressive style.
Vibrant Fruit & Subtle Spice: A Tempranillo profile highlights fresh dark fruit (blackberries, blueberries) paired with delicate forest floor notes, black pepper, and seamlessly integrated oak that adds complexity without sacrificing youthfulness.
Polished Tannins & Silkiness: The charm of this variety during seasonal transitions lies in its gentle palate entry. It offers a medium body with rounded, supple tannins that embrace rather than dry out your palate.
Freshness & Depth: Thanks to well-preserved acidity, it is an inviting wine that calls for another sip—perfect as evening conversations grow longer into autumn.
The “Playful” Pairing: Date, Sobrassada & Dark Chocolate
If the white pairing surprised guests, the red pairing was an outright statement. At Wonderful Wines, we love pushing boundaries and playing with flavor contrasts. To accompany the Tempranillo, we designed a bite that can best be described as delightfully playful and daring.
We took a juicy Tunisian date, stuffed it with Majorcan sobrassada, and topped it with 70% dark chocolate shavings from Xocolates Amatller.
A Trilogy of Rich Textures: The luscious sweetness of the date embraces the soft, mildly spiced texture of Majorcan sobrassada, while the crunchy chocolate adds a fantastic tactile contrast.
Bitter, Sweet, and Savory Interplay: The natural sweetness of the date and the rich, spiced fat of the sobrassada find their perfect counterpoint in the noble, deep bitterness of 70% Amatller dark chocolate. An adventurous combination, yet completely addictive.
Wine as the Common Thread: This is where Tempranillo works its magic. The wine’s dark fruit and subtle spice notes interweave with the sobrassada, while its polished structure cuts through the richness and harmonizes with the dark chocolate without feeling stripped of fruit.
A pairing that turns heads on the first bite and brings a smile right after. Pure Pop-Up spirit!
A Fun Legendary Interlude: As a curious note (inspired by our travels across North Africa), local tradition and folklore hold that dates should always be eaten in odd numbers: one, three, five… Legend says that this brings good fortune and converts their natural sugars into pure energy! So take note: we invite you to enjoy either of these wines at home with a bowl of dates on the table… just remember to count them!
See You at the Next Pop-Up Tasting!
This inaugural Pop-Up Tasting was just the kickoff for an autumn filled with exciting news, gatherings, and above all, a passion for exploring wine without pretension. Thank you to everyone who joined us last Friday at the shop to share wine glasses, laughs, and adventurous pairings.
Remember that at Vinalium Manresa (Carrer Sant Miquel, 30) and on our online store Wonderful Wines, we have a curated selection ready for this seasonal shift. From rich, lees-aged whites to fluid, vibrant reds, we are here to help you find the ideal bottle for any occasion.
Keep an eye on our social media and blog, as we are already planning the date and featured wines for our next Pop-Up Tasting of the Month.
Are you ready to try the Tempranillo, date, sobrassada, and Amatller dark chocolate combination at home? Leave us a comment or visit our shop to share your experience!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Autumn Wines
1. Which wine style works best for autumn: white, red, or rosé?
All three have their place, but the key lies in body and structure. Autumn calls for lees-aged or oak-contact whites (like Godello or Xarel·lo) and fluid, fruit-forward reds (like Tempranillo, Sumoll, or Grenache). Gastronomic rosés with medium body or light aging are also fantastic pairings for wild mushrooms and charcuterie boards.
2. What is the ideal serving temperature for autumn wines?
As ambient temperatures drop, avoid serving wines overly chilled. Oak or lees-aged white wines express their full aromatic spectrum best between 10°C and 12°C (50°F–54°F). For light and fluid red wines, the ideal serving temperature ranges between 14°C and 16°C (57°F–61°F).
3. Which wines pair best with typical autumn dishes like wild mushrooms or game meat?
For mushroom dishes (such as mushroom risotto, stews, or sautéed wild mushrooms), smooth, earthy reds like Tempranillo or Pinot Noir shine brilliantly. For heartier game dishes or rich stews, opt for reds with higher concentration and oak aging, such as Priorat blends or Penedès wines with Sumoll and Mandó.
4. Can I age a transitional white wine for a few months, or should it be consumed immediately?
Transitional white wines that have undergone lees aging or barrel contact possess a much higher aging potential than young vintage whites. You can comfortably cellar them for 2 to 3 years in a cool, dark space, where they will gain complexity and smooth, honeyed nuances.
5. How can I join future Pop-Up Tastings at Vinalium Manresa?
Our Pop-Up Tastings are monthly, informal, accessible events held directly in our physical shop (Carrer Sant Miquel, 30 in Manresa). We announce upcoming dates and featured wines in advance across our social media, our WhatsApp channel, and the Wonderful Wines events agenda.
Leave a Reply