As the days grow shorter and heartier dishes make their way back onto the table, the selection of wines changes as well. Game, raclette, fondue, stews, and aged cheeses call for different pairings than a light summer evening.
But fall wine doesn't automatically mean red wine. In addition to full-bodied varieties like Cornalin and Syrah, characterful Valais white wines such as Heida also have a firm place in the cooler season.
We'll show you which wines pair well with typical fall dishes and which combinations we at Cave du Rhodan especially love to recommend.
Which red wine goes well with game?
Wines with body, spice, and plenty of character pair well with game dishes. Varieties from Valais, such as Humage Rouge, Cornalin, and Syrah, are particularly exciting.
Cornalin with Game
Cornalin is one of the Valais’s most distinctive red grape varieties. Our Cornalin features dark berry flavors, spicy notes, and finely integrated tannins. We recommend pairing it with venison and lamb, among other dishes. That is precisely why we consider Cornalin one of the classic fall wines.
Pairs especially well with:
- Deer
- Lamb
- hearty meat dishes
- aged cheese
“When it comes to game, I especially like to pair it with Cornalin or Syrah. But for a hearty raclette, I’m also happy to have a Heida.” - Olivier Mounir, Cave du Rhodan.
Syrah: spicy and full-bodied
Syrah also feels right at home in Valais's fall cuisine.
Typical characteristics of Valais Syrah include spicy aromas such as black pepper, dark fruit, and a robust structure. The Syrah is full-bodied with pronounced tannins and distinctive spicy notes.
Our Syrah from Cave du Rhodan is recommended with game dishes, fondue bourguignonne, and cheese, and it won a gold medal at the 2025 Expovina Wine Trophy.
What wine goes well with raclette?
When it comes to raclette, many people rightly think of Fendant first. But depending on the cheese, other Valais white wines can also pair very well.
Heida is especially exciting.
We especially recommend Heida with spicier alpine raclette. Its freshness and texture provide an interesting contrast to the robust cheese.
Our Heida is also perfect for:
- Raclette
- Fondue
- Alpine cheese
- Dried meat
- Fish and Poultry at Cave du Rhodan
Our tip:
Mild raclette cheese → Fendant
; Strong alpine cheese → Heida
This means that even the choice of wine can change the character of a raclette evening.
What wine goes well with fondue?
Fresh, full-bodied white wines also pair particularly well with fondue.
A classic Fendant is always a good choice. If you're looking for a little more character, try a Heida. With its spiciness, freshness, and body, it pairs well with stronger cheese flavors. Cave du Rhodan highly recommends Heida for both fondue and raclette.
On the other hand, if you're serving fondue bourguignonne, you can certainly choose a full-bodied red wine. Our Syrah is one of our recommendations for this.
Wine to Pair with Braised Dishes
When dishes are simmering for several hours, the wines can be a little full-bodied as well.
Structured cuvées or red wines aged in wood, for example, are well-suited here.
Our MerSy Fût de Chêne, a blend of Merlot and Syrah, pairs well with, among other things:
- Braised Dishes
- Roast Beef
- Goulash
Recommended.
With dark fruit, spice, and a full-bodied structure, it is a classic wine for long autumn evenings.
And which white wine goes well with fall?
Autumn wine doesn't have to be red.
Full-bodied white wines pair exceptionally well with cheese, fish, poultry, or fall appetizers.
Hey there
Heida adds flavor, freshness, and body, making it a great match for cheese dishes as well as fish or poultry.
Symphony of the Rhône
Our white blend, "Symphonie," brings more body and structure to the glass and pairs well with fish, poultry, and appetizers, among other dishes.
This makes it a great alternative for anyone who prefers to drink white wine in the fall.
Fall Wine at a Glance
| COURT | OUR RECOMMENDATION |
| Game Meat | Cornalin, Syrah, Humage Rouge |
| Deer | Cornalin, Diolinoir |
| Lamb | Cornalin, Syrah |
| Raclette | Fendant or Heida |
| Fondue | Fendant or Heida |
| Fondue Bourguignonne | Syrah |
| Braised Dishes | MerSy |
| Aged Cheese | Heida, Cornalin, Syrah |
| Poultry | Heida, Symphony, Humage Rouge |
Fall in Valais also means grape harvest
For us at Cave du Rhodan, fall isn't just a season in a glass.
In the vineyards around Salgesch, one of the most important phases of the year is beginning. The grapes are being harvested, and step by step, the new vintage is taking shape in the cellar.
At the same time, life around wine is changing as well: the days are getting shorter, heartier dishes are making a comeback on the table, and the wines in our glasses can now showcase more structure and depth.
Salgesch offers a particularly close connection between wine, the countryside, and regional cuisine. Among the typical Valais grape varieties grown in the region are Pinot Noir, Petite Arvine, Cornalin, Heida, and Humagne Rouge.
Our Fall Recommendation
If you'd rather not choose each wine individually, our fall wine set offers a selection perfect for a variety of occasions.
Included are:
- Hey there
- Symphony of the Rhône
- Cornalin
- Diolinoir
This set pairs distinctive white and red wines with a variety of fall dishes.
So, which wines go well with fall?
There is no single correct answer.
Cornalin, Syrah, or full-bodied blends are particularly well-suited for hearty meat and game dishes. Fendant and Heida are exciting pairings for raclette, fondue, and cheese. And white wines with sufficient body also have a firm place on the table in the fall.
What matters isn't the color of the wine, but how well the wine and the dish complement each other.
Our Wines for Fall
We've compiled our latest recommendations for the golden season on a separate page.
