Sure, November can be blah.

The weather is drizzly, the afternoons get dark so early and there's still a long way to Christmas joy.

But there's something you can definitely do about it.

Drink some phenomenal, affordable wines, either on their own in front of the fire (a real one, or gas or electric or even on the TV will do).

Or, pair the same wonderful wines with the hearty meals you're making as cocooning season begins.

Photo credit: Steve MacNaull/NowMedia GroupWines that make November brighter. From left, Lunessence 2023 Estate Single Vineyard Chardonnay ($35), Lunessence 2023 Estate Single Vineyard Pinot Noir ($35), Lightning Rock Cross Border Collection 2024 Counoise ($26), Lightning Rock Cross Border Collection 2024 Cabernet Franc Rose ($25), Oxford Landing Regenerate Chardonnay ($17), Maverick Invisible Line Sauvignon Blanc ($26) and Maverick 2020 Renegade Red ($40).

This is what my wife, Kerry, and I have been drinking and eating so far this November.

 – Lunessence 2023 Estate Single Vineyard Chardonnay ($35) from Summerland

Classic, elegant and delicious Chard with an apple, lemon and toasted almond profile.

Goes oh-so-well with roast chicken.

 – Lunessence 2023 2023 Estate Single Vineyard Pinot Noir ($35) from Summerland

Bright and light-bodied with aromas and flavours of raspberry and a sprinkling of dry herbs.

Calls out for pork tenderloin in mushroom sauce.

 – Lightning Rock Cross Border Collection 2024 Counoise ($26)

Made by the Summerland winery of grapes from Washington state.

You've probably never heard of Counoise because it's a little-know and little-grown grape that originates from France's Rhone region where it sometimes shows up in red blends.

Don't be afraid to pop this light-bodied wine in the fridge a half hour before serving with charcuterie.

 – Lightning Rock Cross Border Collection 2024 Cabernet Franc Rose ($25)

This pink is made by the Summerland winery of Washington state grapes.

Savoury with aromas and flavours of nectarine, white flowers and white pepper.

How about some grilled salmon?

 – Oxford Landing Regenerate Chardonnay ($17) from Australia

BC is the first place this sustainable wine is being exported to after its 2024 launch Down Under.

What makes is so eco-friendly is the winery preserves ecosystems surrounding the vineyards and plants one hectare of native flora and fauna for every hectare of vineyard.

Oh yes, the bottle it comes in is lightweight, which saves on shipping costs and carbon emissions.

It's an affordable and approachable Chard with subtle oak and a peach-fig-honey-vanilla profile.

An ideal match for fettuccine alfredo.

 – Maverick 2024 Invisible Line Sauvignon Blanc ($26)

Made by the Oliver winery of Washington state grapes.

Classic heady, aromatic Sauv Blanc with a tropical-mineral profile that should be sipped alongside fish and chips.

 – Maverick 2020 Renegade Red ($40) from Oliver

A top-tier Bordeaux-style red blend to go with a top-tier steak off the barbecue.

On the nose and on the palate you'll get blackberry, blackcurrant, dark chocolate, dried herbs and toasty oak.

Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at smacnaull@nowmediagroup.ca. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in this space.