If you need a great fall wine, ask for GSM

With the leaves starting to change, food changes, too. We crave spicy chili and hearty stews. Wine lovers will start to put away the crisp, light whites that were so satisfying in the heat of summer and reach for their favorite reds.

At this time of year, I love a red wine that is fun to drink. I particularly enjoy a blend nicknamed GSM in the wine business. The acronym comes from the grapes in the blend: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.

Each of the grapes lends a different character, and the resulting wine is an attractive combination of red and black fruit aromas, with a bit of savory spice and underlying oomph.

While these blends are the hallmark of the southern Rhône Valley area, where wines from places like Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas are produced, GSMs can be made in lots of other places, including Australia, the United States and Spain.

The Rhône versions are usually fairly complex with a lovely dried-herb note, while the New World versions tend to be fruitier.

Whatever the style, these blends are notably food-friendly and reliably tasty.

GSMs can be found in a variety of prices, and can range from very elegant and complex to affordable, approachable and straightforward. You can find a GSM to suit any occasion and budget.

It’s particularly fun to try wines from different locations, as each style, whether more herbal and savory or more fruit-forward, has something to offer. With a bit of experimenting, you can create a tasty food match.

You can feel like a wine insider when you ask for a GSM at your local wine shop. Find a style you like, and you’ll have a reliable partner for fall meals, entertaining, or just sipping while you watch the leaves change colors.

This story was originally published October 14, 2014 at 2:17 PM with the headline "If you need a great fall wine, ask for GSM."