If you’re not completely sold on Sauvignon Blanc, or not at this time of year when it can feel a bit bracing, Vasse Felix Classic White could be the answer. It’s one third Sauvignon Blanc paired with Semillon in the classic white-grape blend of Australia's Margaret River region. You get the Sauvignon zing but with less bite and more roundness

This is a wonderfully welcoming, approachable red wine, but characterful and distinctive, too: dry, rich and mouth-filling with ripe cherry and dried-cherry fruit. And, along with everything else going for it, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, and especially Santa Tresa’s, is very food-friendly.

I know it's not spring yet but the aptly named Spring Vouvray is a welcome reminder that it's on its way. Made from Chenin Blanc, as all Vouvray must be, it's a mouthwatering dry white wine with flavours of citrus, quince, apricot and a tantalising undercurrent of honey.

A Viognier with a with a spring in its step from renowned Rhône producer Paul Jaboulet Aîné. This is just the thing if you want a dry white wine to lift your spirits on a wintery day. It has the classic floral and peach-cum-apricot flavours and hint of spice of the Viognier grape, but with zesty citrus fruit giving a fresher, zippier style than many Viogniers

This deliciously refreshing, dry Argentinian pet nat wine is a crowd pleaser that would appeal to Champagne, Prosecco, Crémant, Cava and traditional-method sparkling wines from England, South Africa, Australia et al

This Rioja Reserva has already featured in my Festive Red Wine Guide 2025, but it’s so good, so appropriate for Christmas and also relatively widely available that I’m revisiting it here

A round-up of 23 Champagne and sparkling wine top picks to suit every event, occasion and drinker in the 2025–2026 festive season

This Rhône-inspired Australian white is pale, bright and crisp, but also has some textural richness. It smells of apricots, freesias and lemons, layered with Russet apple, lime juice and a light touch of toasty oak.

There are currently some massively tempting supermarket offers on this white wine made from the Verdejo grape in Spain's Rueda region. It's an aromatic dry white with citrus, herb and meadow-flower aromas and a palate combining zippy lime with delicate almond, nutty richness.

Wines made from Cabernet Franc often feature as good reds for summer because they can be lightly chilled, but that doesn’t mean they have to be served from the fridge or only in the summer. Finca Lalande The Land Cabernet Franc is a delight when lightly chilled, but it’s a fuller bodied example than many and works well at this time of year and through the winter served at around 17ºC

This double-trophy winning New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a wine of flawless verve and harmonious flavors and is a great partner for fish and seafood, vegtables and Thai food

Rébus is a deep coloured, medium-bodied red Gaillac with crunchy hedgerow berry fruit, herbal and black pepper notes and appetising freshness. If you like Loire Cabernet Franc, you’ll like this wine – and it can be paired with seared salmon as well as meat

A round-up of rosé wines to blaze a trail into autumn, with some bargains along the way as retailers drop prices to make space for wintery reds.

There aren’t many places in the world where a family-owned and run winery produces wine of this quality at just £6.75, but the Peace family, now into the third generation, is one of Australian wine’s success stories.

If you like Picpoul de Pinet, that zingy, springy dry white from vineyards just inland from the Mediterranean, you’ll love Les Filets Côtes de Thau. And if you like a wine bargain – who doesn’t? – you’ll like it even moreat £8, instead of £10.

Among several good reasons for trying this wine is that it’s excellent value. Another is that it’s an opportunity to try something different if you’re not familiar with Austria's Zweigelt grape variety or with Austrian red wines in general. The best reason, though, is the simplest. It’s delicious.

This cheerful, deep crimson Bergerac is all about fruit and smoothness and is a French wine bargain

This is a new and delicious Côtes de Provence rosé in groundbreaking eco-friendly packaging

This is a lovely, polished Cabernet Franc that pairs easily with food, including lamb, beef, quail and vegetarian options

This full-bodied, generous, velvet-smooth Côtes du Rhône is a red wine that cellars well for several years