Fall is definitely here. The season is a time to stock up on the bounty of the harvest and enjoy the colorful fruits and vegetables that are the hallmark of the season. It’s also a great time to break out your grandmother’s recipes for hearty soups, stews and casseroles that, with their aromas, make stepping into a warm house from the cold a sensory delight.

What is a hearty meal without wine? Its like a day without sunlight; dull and dreary. Bell’Aja Bolgheri DOC 2021 is a beautifully balanced wine that makes even the simplest meal elegant. Deep purple in color, it literally gushes with a bouquet of wild berry aromas with hints of preserves and a bit of baking spices, so prevalent during this time of year.

Go for the basics, like a hearty beef stew or the elegant, by adding a bit of the wine and some wild mushrooms to the mix for added depth and flavor. 

Grilled lamb chops, a thick aged steak or roasted pork tenderloin bring out the best in this perfectly balanced wine. 

For those who aren’t familiar, Bolgheri is a central Italian village in Tuscany. The name derives from the fact that the region was one occupied by the Bulgarian army, which were in the employ of the Lombards. The Bolgheri Castle is a local landmark. 

Bolgheri arrived on the wine map because of an event in 1974 when, at an event organized by Decanter magazine, a 6-year-old Sassicaia wine from Bolgheri won over an assortment of Bordeaux wines. From that day forward, Bulgheri became known as a quality wine region, known for its distinctive wines and producers of so-called “Super Tuscans.

International grapes such as Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc and Vermentino thrive in its temperate climate and mineral-rich soils.

Some of the finest wines in all of Italy come from Bolgheri from the vineyards of the Etruscan Coast. A taste of Bolgheri Bell’Aja DOC 2021 is a gateway to its glorious heritage. For more visit sanfelice.com/en. 

Always drink responsibly.