SEPTEMBER often marks the start of autumn so here are some great ways to toast the setting of summer.

Prosecco may be on the upswing in fashionable circles, but you can’t beat the body and aromas of a crisp, dry cava to pair with salty nibbles.

From ‘cava country’ in the Penedes region, try The Wine Selection Cava, Spain (£5, Asda), lively bubbles with good structure and a lemony richness – and at this price, what’s not to love?

A wine that doesn’t give much away on the bouquet, but is utterly delicious on the palate, is Sannio Greco Janare 2012, Southern Italy (£7.25, thewine society.com). It is a Campanian white with a light honeyed richness, salty iodine note and citrus fruit flavours that will appeal to chardonnay and chenin blanc drinkers alike.

Just like BBQ’d chicken, a ‘berry’ juicy red such as Spar Californian Red, USA (£5 from £5.99 until September 11, Spar) just begs to be tasted on a summer’s day.

A crowd-pleasing easy glugger made from the ruby cabernet grape, it’s a drop of Californian sunshine in a glass with lots of soft cherry fruit, little tannin and a hint of spice on the finish.

As malbec’s popularity grows, there’s no doubting Argentina’s flagship grape offers unbeatable price-toquality for its ripe, ruby reds such as M&S Vinalta 2012 Malbec, Argentina (£7.99, Marks & Spencer).

An International Wine Challenge silver medal winner and a perfect choice with sizzling steak, it’s soft and gorgeous with violet-scented fruit, plum and spice that coats the mouth with dense, velvety black fruit flavours leading to a powerful finish.

Another big wine, Wakefield Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet 2009, Clare Valley, Australia (£9.77, www.spiritedwines.co.uk) has been crafted for late summer drinking.

And while it has lots of juicy red berry fruits, plum and cassis, it maintains a youthful quality with a well balanced, refreshing finish and supple tannins – ideal with spicy spare ribs.