All Three Mosketto’s Mentioned Below!

One of the three annual Fall Wine Guides is finally here! Things have been so busy now that we’re back to hosting events at One Sixty Madison, as well as my virtual wine and cocktail classes are taking off! I apologize for not getting this up sooner, and promise there will be plenty more because I have had the opportunity to try so many amazing wines this season!

Now that the weather is catching up and it’s really starting to feel like fall here in NYC, as well as other places I have visited on the East Coast, I knew it was time to post all of my favorite wines for this favorite season! I wanted to find wines that were price approachable while still being quality-driven, and as sustainable or organic as possible.

During the pandemic and even still, people are hesitant to go out all the time, but still want to enjoy meals with family and friends. Budget-friendly but high-quality wines are in demand, and will continue to be throughout the season! Luckily here I have compiled a list of my top 20 Fall Wines under $50 for you to enjoy!

Sparkling:

2018 Sosie Winery’s “First Things First”- This sparkling white wine from Sonoma is perfect for when you have friends coming over and you want something delicious and chilled. Sosie wines come from a great wine team, Scott and Regina. They produce small production, old-world inspired wines from California, and their sparkling wines are absolutely incredible! This wine can be paired with baked ricotta dishes, chicken, and even fruit tarts. $30

Lanson Black Label Brut Champagne- From one of the oldest Champagne Houses in France, this wine is absolutely delicious. Brilliant in color with fresh aromas of citrus, blackberry, and bread. It’s a wine made from predominantly 50% Pinot Noir, with about 35% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier. It’s a great Champagne for under fifty dollars and can be enjoyed with a number of cuisines. I think this wine would easily pair well with a Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart, as well as a Caramelized Pear Salad. $45

 

White:

2019 Old Soul Chardonnay- This beauty by Oak Ridge Winery is ideal for fall. Full of butter and apple notes, with a creaminess on the palate and a vanilla finish. The Maggio Family has planted these old soul grapes in Lodi for five generations. This chard is perfect for pairing with your favorite fall candy, as well as butternut squash! $12.99

Mosketto Frizzante Bianco- A Frizzante from Piedmont, Italy! This wine is great as an aperitif as well as brunch. Fall flavors go great with sweeter wines like this Moscato, and it’s only 5% abv, so that means you can enjoy a few glasses in the daytime without any worry. I would absolutely pair this wine with Roasted Squash with Burrata, or maybe some Vanilla Ricotta Pancakes topped with cinnamon butter! $12

2019 District 7 Sauvignon Blanc- Estate Grown from Monterey, California. It’s 100% Sauvignon Blanc and committed to sustainability. Monterey is a beautiful region to produce and grow grapes in, and it absolutely shows with this wine. Nice tropical fruit on the nose with citrus and white peach, crisp acidity, and freshness. I think for fall this would pair nicely with fish and roasted root vegetables, or pumpkin ravioli! $18

2018 Dutcher Crossing Sauvignon Blanc- Although I did drink this wine in summer, I think that it’s also great for the fall season. This wine is bright and refreshing with hints of green apple, passionfruit, and lime. It’s a wine that is great with seafood, and would pair nicely with baked clams, scallops, and shrimp stir fry! $32 

2018 Blindfold White Blend- A great wine from The Prisoner Wine Co. Made with a blend of Chardonnay, Roussanne, Viognier, and Muscat, this wine is full of lychee and enticing aromas of apple, peach, and pear. This is an interesting Rhône Blend from California that is great for autumn salads and cheese plates! $32

2019 Sosie White Blend- A blend from Rossi Ranch in Sonoma County. This wine is a blend of Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Marsanne. Certified organic, co-fermented in barrel, and aged for 10 months. It’s dry, with plenty of fruit and nice acidity and nice apple and lemon notes. Only 4 barrels of this wine were produced, so this is something truly special and is an ideal gift for a host or hostess who enjoys beautifully crafted wines. $35 Club Members Only 

 

 

Rosé:

2019 Robert Hall Cavern Select Rosé- This Paso Robles Grenache rosé won me over during a tasting with Robert Hall winemakers. It’s full of bright fruits like strawberry and cherry, with nice floral aromas. On the palate, it’s dry and fruity, with a ton to offer. I fell head over heels for this wine, and you can easily sip this with or without food. I always love wine and food together, so ideally, I would pair this with Pork Roast, Sweet Potato Casserole, and Carnitas Tacos! $20

Mosketto Rosato- A blend of Moscato and Brachetto, this pink frizzante is the perfect sip for movie night! It’s sweet, full of apricot and fruit-forward notes, and has a nice finish. Invite your favorite people over and pair this wine with a Romantic Comedy and some Kettle Corn! $12

2018 Oak Ridge Winery OZV Rosé- This Primitivo is perfect and blended with just a touch of Pinot Noir saignée. Notes of pink grapefruit and strawberry with hints of herbs and white pepper. This wine pairs nicely with brunch and I think is a great pairing with Chicken and Waffles, Maple Bacon, and Smoked Salmon Goat Cheese Fritattas. $13

 

 

 

Red:

2018 Old Soul Pinot Noir- Pinot Noir’s are perfect for fall. This one is balanced and fruit-forward, with aromas of red berries, earth, and some oak. Hints of jamminess make this wine pleasing for many palates and ideal for cheese and charcuterie boards. I also recommend this as a perfect wine to pair with a Maple Bacon Pecan Baked Brie, ideal for Thanksgiving! $12.99

Mosketto Frizzante Rosso- Whenever I have guests, I break out a Brachetto! I find many people, including men, enjoy a little sweet red wine every now and then. I think a brachetto is a great starter wine and awakens your palate. This one is great to pair with a charcuterie board filled with pumpkin seeds, spicy ham, Jamon, and parmesan cheese! $12 

2018 Old Soul Cabernet Sauvignon-  This deep wine is full of dark fruit, coffee, and chocolate. It’s the perfect wine for prime rib, pot roast, and chili! It’s a great California Cabernet that will make everyone happy, so bring it along to gatherings and holiday celebrations! $12.99

2016 Oak Ridge Winery Old Vine Red Blend- This wine spends nine months in French and American Oak, with light toasting. I chose quite a few from Oak Ridge Winery, due to their price-friendly nature and overall palate-pleasing possibilities. Nice blackberry, fresh cherry, and vanilla make this wine great for the cooler time of year. Pair this with some slow-cooked short ribs, pork shoulder, or strip steak! $13

2018 District 7 Pinot Noir- Another pinot, however, this one from Monterey is quite lovely! It’s fruit-forward and full of nice sweet spice. On the palate, it’s dry, but fruity and great for late afternoon and early evening sipping. I enjoyed this wine one Sunday while walking along the water on a crisp fall day; it was a perfect pairing. I also think this wine is ideal with flank steak, as well as lamb! $18

Cascina Castlet Litina A gorgeous wine from Piedmont! This Italian red is medium-bodied and full of beautiful fruit and earth. Very typical Piedmont, earthy but elegant with a long-lasting finish. This wine was named after the families Zia or aunt. She knew about vines and knew that Barbera would grow well here, and so she did. This is the only wine that carries the grower’s trademark, an original, bold graphic image of the three Cs that stand for Cascina Castlet Costigliole. On the finish, you will find beautiful notes of vanilla and woodland fruits. This wine is ideal for the fall season and can easily pair well with Pumpkin Ravioli with Pancetta and a Parmesan Cream Sauce! $21

2017 Dutcher Crossing Bernier-Sibary Vineyard Zinfandel Fall weather 100% makes me want to drink Zinfandel way more than I do any other time of year. I think there is nothing better than a crisp cool day, and coming home and pouring a glass of something big, bold, and smooth. This wine is beautiful and smooth with dark red fruit and cocoa. You can easily drink this any time of year, however, I think with a nice Roast Beef or Prime Rib this wine is a winning pairing. $48

Cascina Castlet Policalpo- This wine comes from the soil, but points upward to show it’s strength and beauty. Made from Barbera and Cabernet Grapes, this elegant wine is ideal for this cooler season. It’s spicy and earthy with plenty of that beautiful tobacco, black fruit, and vanilla. This wine is warm, modest, and has an exciting palate. Distinguished harmony and balance that shows off Policalpo’s great structure and complexity. Intense and long-lasting aromas leave you wanting more than just 1 bottle! $20

2018 SALDO Zinfandel- A delicious wine from The Prisoner Wine Co. Matured in French and American oak barrels, this Zin is wonderful, with 15% petit syrah and syrah blended. It’s a dark and deep wine, as most zinfandel is, and has intense aromas of black licorice, pepper, and sweet baking spice. On the palate, it’s rich and smooth with nice chocolate notes and a very nice finish. This wine is ideal to bring for gatherings and dinner parties because everyone will love it! $32

Now, there are a ton of wines out there so this won’t be my first fall roundup, but now you have quite a few from California, Italy, and France to try! Always remember, eat what you like and drink what you love. Please pair responsibly!