I have a backlog of wines that for one reason or another haven’t fitted any of the themes in this column recently. They are definitely worthy of recommendation though and all come in at under a tenner. So here they are...

It’s always worth having a fruity, approachable and reasonably priced red and white in the rack, to cater for unforeseen house guests.

For the red, try Claude Val rouge 2013 from the sunny Languedoc region of the south of France. It is a typical blend of carignan, syrah and grenache but with some merlot too. Medium bodied and youthful, it has flavours of raspberries and red cherries with contrasting peppery spices.

Or for a crowd pleasing white there is Tyrell’s Wines Old Winery Verdelho 2012, from the Hunter Valley in Oz. It is a fresh, clean and generously fruity compote of lime juice cordial, pineapple, and honey. Drink it on its own in place of New Zealand sauvignon blanc, you will be glad you did.

Beronia Rioja Crianza 2010 is new to the shelves at Waitrose. This is a modern tasting Rioja, made mainly from tempranillo but with garnacha and mazvelo in the mix. Medium bodied, it has juicy flavours of raspberry and blackcurrant, with some balanced oak notes and good acidity. It will work really well with turkey, lamb and pork.

For summery sipping in the garden, Virgin Wines has Le Cochon Doue Muscat Sec 2013. It is light, floral and fresh, with flavours of grape, passion fruit and kumquat.

Or for something to go with barbecue grub, the Co-operative lists Montgras MG Carignan-Syrah Reserva 2012, from Chile’s Maipo Valley. This is a bold, full and peppery red, with up-front flavours of forest berries and dark chocolate.

Claude Val Rouge 2013, Pays d’Oc, £7.50 from Jeroboams (jeroboams.co.uk) 17/20

Tyrell’s Wines Old Winery Verdelho 2012, Hunter Valley, £8.95 from The Wine Society 18/20

Beronia Rioja Crianza 2010, £8.49 until August 7 at Waitrose 17/20

Le Cochon Doue Muscat Sec 2013, Pays d’Oc, £8.99 from Virgin Wines 17/20

Montgras MG Carignan-Syrah Reserva 2012, Maipo Valley, £9.79 at The Co-operative 17/20