Celebrate autumn’s arrival with some fabulous seasonal produce - and complement your dish of choice with a glass of delicious wine

Take advantage of the array of fresh ingredients which are now at their prime, and indulge in the following…

Oysters are at their best from late September. Arrange half a dozen on a bed of ice shavings, and complement their unique flavour with a glass of crisp white wine. Try the Nobilo Regional Selection Sauvignon Blanc (£6.99 from Sainsbury's, Tesco and Somerfield); crisp, dry citrus flavours with a lip-smacking finish.

For something meatier, you can’t beat autumn lamb. It’s more flavourful than its spring counterpart, and makes a rich, warming meal, as the bite in the air sets in. Pinot Noir is a classic lamb accompaniment - and the intense cherry fruit flavours of De Bortoli Gulf Station Pinot Noir (£8.99 from Oddbins) make a delightful match.

The game season begins in October, and the rich flavours of pheasant pair wonderfully with a full-bodied wine. For a glass of something different, why not try the rich, juicy black-fruit fuelled Anakena Ona Pinot Noir-Merlot. This unusual and complex wine will easily hold its own. £8.99 at Oddbins.

Fruit and vegetables abound, too. Fresh figs are ripe for eating, and pair well with rich flavours. Enjoy them with cured meats such as Prosciutto, or some flavoursome cheeses - and round off the feast with a glass of Tawny Port - no longer a drink just for Christmas! Warre's Otima 10 year-old Tawny (£10 at Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose) has a stylish 50cl bottle with contents that recall dried fruit, nuts and toffee. Delicious chilled!

A bumper crop of carrots, courgettes and potatoes means that hearty vegetable stews are a must. Pair with Douglas Green Shiraz (£5 at ASDA), a hearty South African red whose spicy, full bodied fruit will warm up those dreary days.

Now’s the time to enjoy pumpkins, too - their rich, earthy flesh is incredibly versatile. Combine with mushrooms, also in season, to make a delicious risotto - and complement the dish with Blason de Bourgogne Pinot Noir, £5.99 from ASDA, Morrisons, Budgens, Somerfield and Co-Op. Ripe cherry flavours abound in this lighter style of red from France.

On Bonfire Night, what better way to enjoy the smoky jacket potatoes than with a glass of nutty, figgy De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate Grown Chardonnay (Tesco and Oddbins, £12.99)? Its lean and subtly oaked fruit will also pair nicely with the frankfurters!

HALLOWEEN PAIRINGS

Host a grown-up Halloween party, with some devilishly good food - accompanied by blood-red and rosé wines, of course…

·Garlic chicken will ward off the vampires - and goes perfectly with Virginie Syrah (£4.99 from Oddbins), a lovely, aromatic wine from the sunny South of France. Fruity with hints of toast and vanilla, this will brilliantly accompany white meats and grilled fish.

·Pumpkin soup is delicious with Banrock Station Sparkling White Shiraz (£7.99 from Tesco, Sainsbury's and ASDA), showing sweet strawberry and fresh cherry fruit flavours and delicate, creamy bubbles.

Or why not try a wicked cocktail? Tawny Port makes a surprisingly good base for cocktails. Try this one for a ghoulish night!

Mummified Melon Martini

Cantaloupe melon juice shaken with vodka, Tawny port and a pinch of ginger. Strained and served in a Martini glass.

40ml Soplica Polish vodka (Somerfield and Threshers, £13.99) 40ml Graham's 'The Tawny' port (Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Threshers, £15.99) Pinch ground ginger 25ml Cantaloupe melon juice

Alternatively, embrace your inner vamp and shake up this blood-red sparkler: The Codorníu Scarlet Senorita 8 raspberries
lemon juice
1 spoon of sirop de gomme
125ml Codorníu de Teresa, Codorníu Reserva Raventos or Codorníu Pinot Noir

Muddle the raspberries with the Sirop de Gomme, a squeeze of lemon juice and ice. Stir the mix with a bar spoon and pour Cava over. Stir gently and strain into a flute. Garnish with a long lemon twist curling against the inner walls of the flute.

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