There’s no denying it, autumn has arrived in the northern hemisphere. There’s a definite chill in the air, the trees are showing off with displays of red, brown and amber leaves, and the days are getting shorter. This is perfect time of year for wines which offer a semblance of warmth, be that rich whites or bolder, more tannic reds.
As we look to heartwarming dishes – tied together with seasonal ingredients – to keep the impending chill at bay it makes sense to alter our drinking habits too. Below are some great wines, selected by Decanter’s team of experts, to help you get in an autumnal mood and get the most out of the season.
If you’re in the southern half of the world, you might want to see our summer wine ideas.
The following wines are all under £25 – the majority come in at under £20 – so why not try something new this autumn. There’s something for everyone here from rich and rewarding whites, to savoury reds, and even a canned Malbec from Argentina. Perfect for autumnal walks!
Autumn wine under £25: 20 to try
Related articles:
Best English wines to try this Autumn
How good is canned wine?
Dos and don’ts in the wine shop
Cruzat, Cuvée Nature NV, Mendoza, Argentina
Another highlight from the Cruzat portfolio, celebrating Argentina’s new love affair with Brut Nature. Two years on the lees give a toasty dimension to this...
Cruzat
Cave de Lugny, Crémant de Bourgogne, Burgundy, France
91
Often overlooked, Crémant de Bourgogne has a lot to offer, both on quality and value, as this wine proves. Very elegant nose with freshness and mineral poise. Flavours of peach, green apple and pear rest on the palate with just enough weight, while lifted by the pleasantly textural bubbles. Good mineral length.
Cave de LugnyCrémant de Bourgogne
Víctor Ausejo Viticultor, Parcela 333 Garnacha Blanca, Rioja, Oriental, Northern Spain, Spain, 2020
Made with Garnacha Blanca from his family’s vineyard between the Iregua and Leza valleys, Víctor Ausejo’s brilliant white is entirely aged on its lees in...
2020
Víctor Ausejo ViticultorRioja
Domaine Jones, On The QT Bin 31: Dry Muscat, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2021
92
Such an intriguing, delicious expression of Muscat in which the floral aspects, rather than dominating, add gentle nuances to the lemon, pear and yellow apple fruit. There's a delicious savouriness imparted by touches of garrigue, hay and preserved lemon. Very good drive, assertive acid and a medium zesty finish. Very accomplished winemaking here.
2021
Domaine Jones
Bizoe, Morningstar Semillion, Darling, Coastal Region, South Africa, 2019
Winemaker Rikus Neethling says he picks the grapes based on analysis, as the flavours develop in bottle over time. After three years, the wine now...
2019
BizoeDarling
M Chapoutier, Combe Pilate, Collines Rhodaniennes, Rhône, France, 2020
91
Full-bodied, particularly rich and concentrated for an IGP Viognier. Really powerfully flavoured, with fresh grape, lychee and citrus. The alcohol might be on the high side, but this is long, flavoursome and delicious. Slightly oily texture, not quite as fine as a typical Condrieu but lots of impact and good value. Aged in stainless steel tanks for nine months before release with light lees stirring.
2020
M ChapoutierCollines Rhodaniennes
Waitrose, Loved & Found Loin d'Oeil, Gaillac, Southwest France, France, 2021
90
Another very interesting lesser-known grape to discover in the brilliant Loved & Found range. A fresh, unpretentious and pleasant white with flavours of yellow apple, ripe pear, white peach and lemon zest. The palate has an oily softness and a subtle saltiness to it, which make this a very food-friendly wine. Vibrant and with good length.
2021
WaitroseGaillac
Sainsbury's, Taste the Difference Californian Chardonnay, Central Coast, California, USA, 2020
89
Made by Chronic Cellars, this good value Californian white has plenty of attitude. Mostly Chardonnay (88.5%) aged in stainless steel; Viognier, Albariño, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul add complexity and texture, with part-ageing in new and used French oak. The result is a fresh citrus and tropical wine, with notes of pineapple, banana, peach and pear balanced by crisp acidity. Pair it with grilled fish.
2020
Sainsbury'sCentral Coast
Troupis, Route Gris Moschofilero, Arkadia, Peloponnese, Greece, 2021
91
In response to requests from its 'Angel' members to stock more off-the-beaten-track wines, Naked has sourced its first orange wine, and it comes in the form of this intensely flavoured Moschofilero from Greece. Moschofilero is the flagship grape of this particular winery. It is in fact a 'gris', or grey, grape, meaning the skins are tinged slightly pink in colour. So when it's macerated on its skins for an extended period of time, like it has been for this wine, the result is a pretty peachy-pink hue. A little cloudy in the glass, as it's unfiltered. An explosion of heady rose petal and parma violet fragrance, for which this grape variety is known. The palate is pleasantly full and round, with flavours of mandarin, mango, turkish delight and grapefruit. It's a very individual wine, which won't be to everyone's taste, but offers good complexity of flavour, intensity and uniqueness. It's only been macerated for a short time on its skins, so it's a very light-footed introduction to the skin contact wine category. Member price: £13.99.
2021
TroupisArkadia
Boutinot, Pablo y Walter Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, 2019
94
Named in honour of Argentinian winemaker Walter Bressia and European importer Paul Boutinot, the vivid purple hue of the rim gives a hint of the lively and fruity flavours to follow. Raspberry, blackcurrant and a slice of red apple on the nose lead into classic bright and youthful Malbec flavours on the palate, with zingy acidity and ripe tannins.
2019
Boutinot
Focal Point, Cinsault, Western Cape, South Africa, 2019
94
From highly experienced winemaker Arco Laarman, this Cinsault is so drinkable that a 75cl bottle won't last long enough. Lifted, airy, enticing aromas of cooked strawberries, vanilla, orange, clove and cumin spice. It has a certain Pinot-like character, and it's tangy and delicious. What an absolute cracker. Member exclusive.
2019
Focal Point
Viñedos Singulares, Corral del Obispo, Bierzo, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2020
93
Barcelona-based brothers Luís and Carlos Barrero teamed up with winemaker Raúl Pérez to make this brilliant-value version of Mencía from Bierzo. Using 60- to 90-year-old vines, it positively sings with violet-floral aromas, the palate reminiscent of Cabernet Franc or the more fragrant end of Syrah in its crunchy black berries, currants and subtle aniseed spiciness.
2020
Viñedos SingularesBierzo
London Cru, Pinot Noir Précoce, England, United Kingdom, 2021
Incredibly charming on the nose; aromatic with dried roses, strawberry and cranberry. Juicy and soft-textured, with more red and dark berries, varietal gaminess and a...
2021
London Cru
Bodegas Viña Mayor, Secreto, Ribera del Duero, Spain, 2019
Almudena Alberca MW is moving onto higher ground with Viña Mayor year after year. This is a wine for hedonists: intensely fragrant, deftly built on...
2019
Bodegas Viña Mayor
Château Béard, La Chapelle St-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2018
New to the Sainsbury's range for autumn 2022 and exclusive to the supermarket, this blend of Merlot with 30% Cabernet Franc is sourced from a...
2018
Château Béard
Familia Pisano, Rio de Los Pájaros Pinot Noir, Progreso, Canelones, Uruguay, 2020
91
Near the Río de la Plata, the vineyards of the Pisano family are planted in clay/calcium soils that are well-suited to Pinot Noir, as shown by this wine. A simple, easydrinking red, the nose offers cherry, raspberry and fruit coulis accompanied by mushroom and tobacco aromas. In the mouth, the flow is light, fresh and juicy with polished tannins.
2020
Familia PisanoProgreso
Campinovi, Organic, Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy, 2020
90
Such a charming Rosso di Montalcino - unpretentious, enjoyable and well crafted. The fruit core of strawberry, cranberry and red cherry rests on a framework of firm tannins and minerality. The alcohol is very well integrated and there's a pleasant, refreshing grip on the mid-palate. Enjoy a bit chilled.
2020
CampinoviRosso di Montalcino
Sainsbury's, Taste the Difference Discovery Collection Arbois Pupillin Pinot Noir, Arbois, Jura, France, 2020
90
This gem from the Jura comes from limestone vineyards in the Pupillin Hills at 300m. New to Sainsbury's Discovery Collection for autumn 2022, it boasts classic Pinot raspberry aromas. Bright cherry and raspberry fruit on the palate, with smooth tannins, lifted acidity and a streak of minerality. Good value and food-friendly.
2020
Sainsbury'sArbois
Yering Station, The Elms Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia, 2021
90
A smokey edge adds intrigue to this fun and lifted Pinot Noir. The fleshy strawberry, cranberry and plum fruit have a delicious texture and zestiness. A great red for an indian summer barbecue and a good alternative to whites through the winter season.
2021
Yering StationYarra Valley
Bodegas Hidalgo, Pastrana, Manzanilla, Pasada, Jerez, Spain
94
Manzanilla – typified by Hidalgo’s excellent best-seller La Gitana – is generally the lightest of the Sherry styles. But this offering takes things in an altogether deeper, more intense direction. A single-vineyard (Pastrana) bottling, it is aged for 12 years (rather than the customary five), and suggests essence of salted almond, with brisk apple, sourdough and Marmite. Great value.
Bodegas HidalgoManzanilla