Nine wines to settle into autumn with.

01 / The Sunday-lunch Rioja

CVNE Cune Crianza Rioja

A Tempranillo-led red Rioja.

Our takeCune is the easy Sunday-lunch option: a Tempranillo-led Rioja with red fruit and the vanilla-and-toast notes Sainsbury’s describes. We’d serve it with roast lamb or a tray of aubergines. It is also worth keeping in mind for a generous table where the bottle budget needs to stretch.

Good to knowThe standard price is £10.75; £8.75 requires Nectar. A 75cl bottle gives six 125ml glasses, putting the standard price at about £1.79 a glass.

£10.75 / 75cl · £1.79 per 125ml glass; £8.75 with Nectar

02 / For something peppery with dinner

E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône 2023

A substantial Rhône red with pepper-and-spice notes.

Our takeBlackberry, pepper and spice are Majestic’s notes for this Rhône red. We’d open it with sausages and lentils or a slow-cooked stew; the pepper and spice should be good with either. A useful change if your usual red leans towards soft vanilla.

Good to knowAt 14.5% ABV, this is a substantial red. The £12 price requires a qualifying Mix Six purchase.

£14.25 / 75cl · £2.38 per 125ml glass; £12 Mix Six

03 / For the person who orders red out of habit

The Society’s Exhibition White Rioja Reserva 2018

A mature, oak-influenced white Rioja Reserva.

Our takeThe white for someone who reaches for red whenever dinner feels substantial. The Wine Society describes nutty, buttery flavours with citrus and white flowers. We’d put that combination beside roast chicken or a creamy leek pie; the maturity is part of the appeal.

Good to knowOak and maturity are the point. Buying requires Wine Society membership, so factor in the £40 joining fee if you’re new.

£14.50 / 75cl · £2.42 per 125ml glass

04 / For the pan with the good browned bits

Catena Malbec

An Argentine Malbec with a ripe-fruited style.

Our takePlush, ripe fruit makes Catena the Malbec we’d consider for a well-browned burger or a pan of steak and onions. Majestic recommends it with grilled meat. The useful distinction is richness: choose it when you want a generous mouthful rather than a lighter, brisker red.

Good to knowChoose this for ripe fruit and richness. The lower £11 price requires Mix Six; check which vintage is being supplied.

£15 / 75cl · £2.50 per 125ml glass; £11 Mix Six

05 / For a red that can take a little chill

Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Lantignié

A soft-tannin Beaujolais suited to a light chill.

Our takeA red you can give a light chill, as Majestic suggests. Its cherry-and-raspberry profile and soft tannins make a good direction for pâté, cold roast chicken or a plate of charcuterie. We’d keep it in mind for lunch as much as dinner.

Good to knowA lighter style doesn’t mean lower alcohol: the listing gives 14% ABV. Confirm the vintage before ordering.

£15 / 75cl · £2.50 per 125ml glass; £13.50 Mix Six

06 / A rounded Chardonnay for creamy suppers

Louis Jadot Les Bois Clairs Mâcon-Lugny

A partly oak-aged Chardonnay from southern Burgundy.

Our takeChardonnay has a perfectly good place at an autumn table. Here, apple and citrus meet some old-oak ageing, according to Majestic. We’d serve it with roast chicken, fish pie or a creamy pasta: enough roundness for the sauce without choosing the heaviest white on the shelf.

Good to knowHalf the blend is aged in old oak, according to Majestic. It’s a rounded Chardonnay rather than an unoaked one; Mix Six brings it to £16.50.

£18.50 / 75cl · £3.08 per 125ml glass; £16.50 Mix Six

07 / For opening before anyone asks the occasion

Bouvet Ladubay Saphir Saumur Brut

A traditional-method sparkling wine from Saumur in the Loire.

Our takeBubbles belong in autumn too. Bouvet’s traditional-method Loire fizz has peach, brioche and nutty notes in Majestic’s description. We’d open it while dinner is coming together, then keep it on the table with fish in a buttery sauce.

Good to knowThe £14 Mix Six price saves £5 only if you wanted the other bottles anyway. Check the supplied vintage.

£19 / 75cl · £3.17 per 125ml glass; £14 Mix Six

08 / For dinner that has had a little planning

La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva

An oak-led Rioja Reserva from La Rioja Alta.

Our takeViña Ardanza is the bottle we’d give a planned roast-lamb dinner. Majestic describes fruit and vanilla in a richer, oak-led Rioja. It costs considerably more than Cune, so choose it because that style appeals—not simply because the dinner feels important.

Good to knowAt £33, this is the deliberate splurge. Confirm the vintage, especially if you’re buying on a recommendation for a particular year.

£33 / 75cl · £5.50 per 125ml glass; £30 Mix Six

09 / For the roast that wants a fresher red

Francis et Françoise Desbourdes L’Arpenty Chinon 2025

An organic Cabernet Franc from Chinon, Loire Valley.

Our takeYapp’s youthful berry fruit and supple tannins give this Cabernet Franc a fresher direction than the weightier reds here. We’d try it lightly chilled with roast chicken or goat’s cheese. At 12.5% ABV, it also offers a lower-alcohol comparison with the 14.5% Guigal.

Good to know12.5% ABV. Delivery can change the cost of a single bottle; Yapp’s free-delivery threshold is £125.

£17.95 / 75cl · £2.99 per 125ml glass