September Cellar Month

September, the month when the winemaker reaps what was sown

In the viticultural calendar, September stands apart. It is the month of harvest, the moment when every decision made in the vineyard since spring finds its conclusion in the picked grapes. For wine lovers, it is also the signal for a change of register: summer rosés gradually give way to wines of character, whites gain in depth, and food pairings grow more complex alongside the first seasonal produce, mushrooms, game, pressed-paste cheeses.

For this September cave du mois, our team drew on the richness of the Rhône Valley terroirs and Burgundy, two regions that excel in producing wines with ageing potential and profiles that are spiced, floral and tannic. Emblematic grape varieties express themselves here in full: Grenache and Syrah for depth and garrigue notes, Roussanne and Marsanne for broad-textured Rhône whites with white flower aromas, and Burgundian Pinot Noir for its finesse and length on the palate.

Seasonal wines to accompany the return to the table

The September cave du mois covers a particularly wide range of food pairings, one of the hallmarks of this pivotal moment between two seasons. Structured, spiced reds come into their own with game and red meats, the aromatic whites from the Rhône and Alsace accompany fish and poultry with natural elegance, while lighter cuvées remain ideal for aperitifs or a cheese board.

On Avenue des Vins, every estate in this selection ships its bottles directly from the cellar. No intermediate storage, no break in the chain: you receive each cuvée in its finest condition, at the winemaker's fair price. Several of the estates featured this month work in organic farming or natural winemaking without added sulphites, a commitment that shows in the precision and honesty of the wines.

FAQ: Cave du mois de septembre

Why is September the ideal month to explore Rhône Valley wines ?

The Rhône Valley produces wines that find their perfect match with autumn flavours: spices, mushrooms, roasted meats, and characterful cheeses. The region's flagship grape varieties, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre for reds, Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier for whites, yield wines that are both generous and complex, perfectly suited to hearty autumn meals.

What is Roussanne and how does it differ from other white wines ?

Roussanne is a white grape variety from the northern Rhône, often blended with Marsanne. It is distinguished by aromas of white flowers, honey and aromatic herbs, developing over time a broad, silky texture. It is a gastronomic grape variety, particularly well suited to fish in sauce, roasted poultry and soft-rind cheeses.

Which wines pair best with game in September ?

Game calls for structured, spiced, tannic reds that can hold their own against the powerful flavours of the meat. A Rhône red based on Grenache and Syrah, or a well-aged Burgundy Pinot Noir, are classic and reliable choices. The pairing works best with wines that have had a few years in bottle to soften their tannins.

What is a wine without added sulphites and how should it be stored ?

A wine without added sulphites is vinified without the addition of sulphur dioxide (SO2), relying solely on the sulphur naturally produced during fermentation. These wines tend to be more expressive and direct, but also more fragile. They should be stored away from heat and light, ideally between 12 and 15°C, and consumed within two to three years of the vintage.

Why buy the cave du mois wines through direct sales on Avenue des Vins ?

Because every bottle in our monthly selection is shipped directly by the winemaker from the estate. You gain access to authentic terroir cuvées at fair, producer-direct prices, with full vintage traceability, wines that are often absent from mainstream distribution. That is precisely what makes an Avenue des Vins cave du mois worth opening.