Our Staff Picks: November Favourites!

As the autumn chill deepened, our team turned their attention to wines offering warmth, character, and comfort.

This November, our staff picks feature a fascinating orange wine, a powerful Spanish red, a polished French red, and an ideal cosy fireside wine. Read on to discover the bottles that our staff loved this month!

Debbie's Fragrant Orange Wine

I’ve really taken to this one. Made with Muscat and Viognier, it’s a light, fragrant orange wine full of floral aroma and bright citrus, with just a gentle grip from the skins. It’s fresh, lively and full of character, showing the lighter side of skin-contact whites – all the interest and texture, none of the heaviness. I’ve been enjoying it with soft, mature cheeses, where that mix of perfume and tang really comes into its own.

Regard d'Artiste Orange Vin de France

Single Price: £13.50

Mixed 6 Price: £12.50

Felix's Powerful Spanish Red

I’ve gone for something from Ribera del Duero this month – Finca Villacreces Pruno. A lot of people think Rioja and Ribera are two sides of the same coin, but they’re really not. If Rioja is the charmer, Ribera’s the powerhouse – darker fruit, deeper tone, and that bit more muscle. Even so, this one’s far from over the top. It’s full-bodied, yes, but smooth and mellow too, with supple tannins and a warmth that feels more like a fireside glow than a furnace blast. A lovely, comforting red for the colder evenings ahead.

Finca Villacreces 'Pruno' Ribera del Duero

Single Price: £21.90

Mixed 6 Price: £19.90

Grace's Polished Languedoc Red

Languedoc reds are more the sort of thing I'd usually take to a barbie, but this one's got a bit more polish. It still has that lovely warmth and ripe fruit, just with more shape and freshness. There’s plenty of flavour, a touch of spice and a savoury note that gives it a bit of edge. With roast lamb it felt properly put together – generous, tasty and that bit smarter than many a Languedoc red.

Mas Olivier Faugeres Rouge

Single Price: £15.90

Mixed 6 Price: £14.90

Phil's Classic Classico Valpolicella

This isn’t just Valpolicella – this is Classico Valpolicella. All the easy, drink-me charm you expect, but with a bit more poise and polish. Coming from the original hillside vineyards, it’s the slightly more up-market version of the everyday stuff, and well worth the modest upgrade. Bright and juicy with plenty of red fruit and a hint of spice, it’s lively, balanced and refreshingly honest. You’ll have to forgive me for feeling mildly smug about my good taste!