Astrology Meets Wine: The 5 Perfect Pairings For Libra Season

Face it. After a summer of rosé and light wines, by the time fall rolls in your go-to bottles are feeling stale. You’re bored of the same three wines you always get from the store. The novelty of cool trendy labels has worn off. You’re ready to elevate your autumn wine game, but the hundreds of options in the wine aisle are not exactly inspiring. 

Drinking according to the season isn’t a new idea. Hearty cabs for winter, refreshing whites for summer, you get the idea. But I bet you’ve never considered how astrology can revolutionize your wine game. 

Here’s the thing: astrology is based on the seasons, not simply stars and planets. That’s according to my astrologer friend KJ Atlas, who approaches astrology with a background in science, psychology, and health, and curiosity for the human mind. 

In her day-by-day astrological calendar (called the Grove Almanac—I have it and it’s awesome), KJ offers grounded advice on how to handle planetary transits, void moods, retrogrades, you name it, all to your advantage.

And while setting intentions at the New Moon and preparing for lunar eclipses can be valuable for reaching goals (trust me, I’m manifesting a huge goal I set 7 months ago - this very week), no one talks about the right wine for the astrological season — until now. 

KJ and I teamed up to craft astrology and wine pairings to totally transform your experiences this Libra season. After all, this time is about social connection, art, and beauty.

So what’s a better vehicle for embracing all that Libra has to offer? 

What Is Libra Season All About? 

First of all, Libra season is the 7th season of the zodiac year, which began back in March at the Spring Equinox. Libra season marks the midpoint of the year and the Autumnal Equinox. And, according to KJ, this season is about honoring the balance in all things. 

“Moderation of everything is quintessential Libra, and the sign’s symbol is the scales of justice,” she says. “Libra is ruled by the planet Venus, which makes Libra a sign oriented towards pleasure and connection.” 

“Romance and sensual experiences are delights of Libra season and the native Libra person born during this season. Art, beauty, good food, music, and fashion all fall under the umbrella of the Libra archetype.” 

Sounds like the ideal time to open some great wine, right?  

How to Relish Libra Season Like an Astrologer 

Since Libra season is all about connection and revelry, there are definitely some excellent ways to embrace its social energy in full. As KJ suggests, now is the perfect time for gatherings where new friendships are forged, and old ones are celebrated. Whether it’s themed parties, harvest soirées, adult sleepovers, or girly get-togethers, the possibilities for memorable moments are endless. (Honestly, I’m using this as inspo for my girls’ night pumpkin-decorating hang next week) 

And what’s a good old-fashioned girls’ night without wine? 

With the energy of social connections mixed with Libra’s love for beauty, art, and enjoyment, it kinda seems like wine is a no-brainer. 

“It’s the perfect time to indulge in your favorite, easy-drinking wines to share with new and old friends alike,” says KJ. 

But don’t go opening any old random bottle of wine. Just like how the right lipstick makes your eyes pop, the right wine choice can make this season come alive for you. 

How to Pick the Right Wine For Libra Season 

One thing I love about KJ’s work is that she has a sensual description for everything. Which makes it easy to think about wine and food pairings. 

How does Libra season taste? KJ compares it to notes of honey, florals, pears, figs, and a hint of vanilla. (I’d love a candle in that scent!) When it comes to textures, think of food and drinks that feel smooth, light, and a little bit sweet. 

Starting to feel the Libra season vibes? 

When you’re considering wines to open during this time, lean towards bottles that are balanced and sophisticated, but still palatable for everyone. KJ suggests opening a bottle that’s easy to drink to lubricate a riveting one-on-one conversation with a close friend.

Balance and moderation are the name of the game this season. That can mean balancing richer foods with lighter wines, and vice versa. 

“More isn’t always better right now,” KJ says. “Restraint can be sexy.” 

When you’re thinking about foods to cook this Libra season, KJ suggests taking inspiration from seasonal, layered flavors. Think: sweet and spicy, bitter and sweet, or salty and sweet. Let the natural flavors come out without overdoing it. 

It can be simple and delicious, like girl dinner. Or naturally rich and flavorful, like roasted sweet potatoes. 

So what does that mean for your wining and dining now?

We came up with some delicious wine and food pairings to help you leverage the power of Libra. 

5 Perfect Wine and Food Pairings For Libra Season 

1.) Pinot Noir With Roasted Chicken and Veggies 

Is it a coincidence that Pinot is the best for fall vibes and Libra season? I love Pinot Noir this time of year because it pairs wonderfully with many dishes, without sacrificing elegance, beauty, or flavor. Meanwhile, the flavors of Libra season are simply begging for the beautifully elegant and floral qualities of Pinot Noir. 

But remember, moderation is key. For a cozy dinner, focus on making one perfectly roasted chicken and a vegetable, instead of going all-out on a million sides. Pair it with a Pinot from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, known for vibrant, juicy flavors balanced with earthy complexity. 

For a fancy night, some of my personal favorites are Cristom, Bergstrom, and Lingua Franca (I had this wine at my wedding). A bit more budget friendly Oregon Pinots are Roserock, Willamette Valley Vineyards, and Four Graces. For even more affordable ones right at Trader Joe’s, try King Estate, or Castle Rock and Decoy (not Oregon but good everyday pours).

2.) Viognier With Butternut Squash Risotto 

Weren’t expecting a white wine, were you? It’s been so ingrained in us that white wine = summertime that it’s easy to forget about some fantastic pairing opportunities. 

I love how viognier can be the opposite of what you assume about white wine. It’s silky, smooth, luscious, and full of flavor. With floral aromatics, it seems like it’s going to be sweet and then surprises you with a completely dry finish. But honeyed fruit notes still deliver layers of beautiful flavor. 

Sweet yet savory — this is a perfect wine for a hearty, layered comfort food like butternut squash risotto. You have the salty/sweet squash paired with salty/savory parmesan cheese, all warm and melty and delicious. Washing it down with a cool glass of Viognier just makes sense. 

A personal favorite winery for viognier has always been Zaca Mesa in Santa Barbara, and there are other great ones from the region, such as Andrew Murray. Condrieu in the Rhone Valley of France is also world-famous for its fantastic Viogniers. 

3.) Italian Barbera With Cheese/Charcuterie 

Whether it’s the appetizer at a party or your Tuesday night girl dinner, there will be cheeseboards happening this season, you can count on it. Cheese and charcuterie always find their other half in Italian wines, and Barbera is my favorite choice for this season. 

Why Barbera? Also, what is Barbera? If you’ve heard of the highly-esteemed Barolo wine, you may know it’s from Piedmont in Northern Italy. Barolo reigns supreme here. Barbera plays second fiddle, but personally, I love it just as much, possibly more. 

This wine is known for high acidity, smooth tannins, and notes of dried flowers, sour cherries, plums, and earthy spices. It’s the everyday drinking wine to Barolo’s fancy-occasion wine. With juicy, layered flavors, Barbera has just what it takes to balance out rich cheese and charcuterie, while standing on its own in between bites. 

I poured this Barbera at my wedding and it was a hit (well, I drank a lot of it, anyway). You can find quite a spread of price points online. I also found a very affordable (and pretty decent) bottle at Trader Joe’s called Rosa dell Alma. Keep in mind that some of the best Italian regions for Barbera are Asti and Alba. 

4. Riesling With Apple Pie 

Does anything say “autumn” and “Libra season” more than apple pie? Naturally sweet, simply comforting. Layers of sugar and spice and everything nice. 

Just like a fresh apple, a well-made riesling can be juicy, crisp, and beautifully aromatic. Riesling is beloved for having incredibly bright acidity, which makes it a great pairing for many foods, from sweet to spicy. You can also find great rieslings in a range of sweetness levels, from lusciously honeyed to bone dry. 

At this time of year, a gently sweet riesling is gorgeous with a slice of warm apple pie. The sweet notes of honey and stone fruit in the wine will elevate those rich pie flavors. For more of a contrast, you can also go with a dry riesling, with crisp acidity to cut through the richness of the dessert. 

You’ll find a range of sweet to dry rieslings from Germany. Dr. Loosen, Trimbach, and Schloss Johannisberg are a few classics. On the local side, Maidenstoen is a great CA producer dedicated to riesling. The Finger Lakes in New York are also known for fantastic takes on the variety. Finally, an easy go-to grocery store option is always Chateau Ste Michelle, and I found a decent one at Trader Joe’s called Emma Reichart.

5. Tawny Port With Espresso Chocolate Cake

Tawny port is a type of dessert wine that’s been blended and aged to perfection. It’s usually rich and elegant, with a touch of sweetness that carries notes of dark chocolate, caramel, berries, and fig jam. It’s not as decadent as other dessert wines, but still has a silky-sweet finish that’s ideal for wrapping up a great meal. 

With these elegant notes of chocolate and fruit, you don’t want to go too heavy with an ooey gooey dessert. Remember, less is more right now. That’s why I’d pair it with something delicious but refined, like espresso chocolate, with layered bittersweet notes that keep the sugar in balance. 

There are lots of tawny ports to choose from, with age ranging all the way up to 40 years. Graham’s and Dow’s are some classic picks in the port world. Personally, I had Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port at my wedding (paired with chocolate cake!) and it was a hit. 

So there you have it — all the delicious deets on what to drink and eat for a transformative Libra season. Whether you’re snacking with friends or cooking your favorite fall recipe, don’t forget to open the perfect wines to make every occasion worthy of Libra.