September is an excellent month for fresh produce as there are still late summer soft fruits and early autumn apples and pears. Mushrooms are also suitably autumnal and a good transition away from the lighter greenery of the summer months.
Enjoy Cep (aka porcini) crostini on sourdough - delicious and simple with either a dry sherry-like white such as Savennières or an earthy red like a Pic Saint-Loup or Gigondas.
The savoury delights of roast pork or slow roast pork belly are complimented perfectly by the tangy sweetness of home-made bramley apple sauce, or try roasting some slices of a sharp Cox along with your pork. Try a medium bodied red such as Maxime Graillot’s Crozes-Hermitage 'Equinoxe' which has suitably briary, hedgerow flavours.
It is hard to choose a favourite apple pudding but a simple apple tart served with crême fraiche is easy to prepare in advance and not too filling after a meal. A small chilled glass of Pineau des Charentes is a delicious autumnal accompaniment.
By: Pippa Goldfinger
