CHARLOTTE KRISTENSEN's French sips

Better known for robust reds and rosés, the French regions of Languedoc-Roussillon and the Rhône Valley produce (in small quantities) whites that are deliciously different from the Chardonnays of Burgundy and the Sauvignon Blancs of the Loire. Expect ripe fruits, herbs, spices, floral notes and a sunny richness that's perfect for autumn. Great bottles are less than a tenner – or spend a little more to savour a real gem.

Chassaux et Fils Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2023 (13.5%), £7.49, Aldi. Serve this steal with smoked salmon as a wintry apéritif; expect sunny roundness on the palate with lemon peel and fragrant meadow flowers.

Paul Mas Sauvignon Blanc/Souvignier Gris 2023 (12.5%), £10, Tesco. This innovative blend of Sauvignon Blanc and the lesser-known hardy grape Souvignier Gris results in a fresh and quaffable white wine.

Taste the Difference Languedoc White Wine 2023 (13%), £8.75, Sainsbury's. A sophisticated sip with an enticing pepperiness, this will pair with the lot, from roast chicken to an aromatic tagine.

Domaine du Météore Van Gogh Sunflowers Blanc 2022 (12.5%), £20, gnarlyvines.co.uk. The label of this Languedoc white, conceived with the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, has a detail from the artist's flower series, painted in nearby Arles.