Falling into Flavor
By Holly Falk 

       As the dog days of summer near an end, we look forward to the crisp, cool days of fall. Fall is a beautiful season, especially at Smith Mountain Lake. Colorful leaves and cool mountain air make the perfect backdrop for a picnic by the Lake or on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway.
         Some of my fondest memories as a child were of picking apples with my family. My mother packed the same picnic every year: Fried chicken, pasta salad and her delicious homemade apple cake. After a long day of picking apples, we enjoyed mom’s great food. While my sisters and I drank our freshly bottled apple cider, my parents always enjoyed a chilled glass of wine. 
         To me, picnics should include easy, fun foods with light, fruity and completely casual wines. Cheese, a crusty loaf of bread and fruit make an elegant and easy picnic with numerous wines to pair with it. Some wine suggestions are Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris with soft goat cheeses; Chardonnay, Dry Rieslings or Zinfandels with Gouda, Havarti or Muenster; Chardonnay or Pinot Noir with Brie and late-harvest Rieslings with blue cheeses. Sparkling wine and Champagne will also complement most cheeses, especially when paired with fresh fruit. 
         Picnic baskets filled with fried chicken, potato salad, macaroni salad, or cole slaw pair best with Spanish Albarinos, Sauvignon Blancs, and non-oaked Chardonnays. These wines are light bodied with bright acidity that will complement these dishes beautifully. 
         Mixed green salads, bread and fruit are also very popular picnic items. Cobb salads, chickenCaesar salads, or Asian-style salads are delicious, easy and will pair nicely with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light-bodied Pinot Noir. Rieslings would also work well. Rieslings are light, fruity, refreshing and are low in alcohol content.
         Fall is a season to be celebrated. Enjoy the outdoors with a great picnic and some great wine. Now that I can drink more than just apple cider, I think my mom’s apple cake would pair wonderfully with a late-harvest Vidal Blanc such as Chateau Morrisette’s Frosty Dog ($21.99).
         Enjoy your picnic and the beautiful days of fall. Remember, wine is meant to be enjoyed, so trust you palate and have fun in experimenting with picnic food and wine. Cheers!

Holly Falk works in wine retail in Northern Virginia and is a wine consultant and educator. She visits Smith Mountain Lake often with her husband and two children. To submit a question on wine, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it    
        
         Fall is also a great time of year to visit local wineries. Many wineries have special fall events that are fun for the entire family. Most have picnic areas. Some upcoming events include:

Hickory Hill Vineyards, Moneta
Oct. 28, 3-7 p.m.
2006 Concert Series: Sunset Saturday IV. Enjoy an evening of live music, dancing and wine. Bring your chairs, blankets and a picnic and settle in to watch the sun set over the vineyard. The dulcimer trio, The Back Porch Players, take the stage for this Sunset Saturday. Cost is $5 for tasters. Free for non-tasters and kids. 540.296.1393

Peaks of Otter Winery, Bedford
Oct. 1-2, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Peak Foliage Open House: Enjoy breathtaking views and sample apples and fresh cider, along with Fruit Of The Farm Wines. Enjoy visiting with farm animals. Free. Picnic area available. 540.586.3707