Trockenbeerenauslese is an intensely sweet dessert wine style from Germany and Austria, made from individually selected grapes shrivelled by noble rot. Expect apricot, peach and citrus with honey, dried fruit and warming spice, balanced by brilliant acidity. It’s stunning with blue cheese, crème brûlée, cheesecake, fruit tarts and apricot desserts.

Sylvaner is a dry, light to medium-bodied white best known from Alsace in France, with crisp green apple, pear and citrus flavours alongside fresh herbs and a subtle mineral edge. Clean, understated and seriously food-friendly, it’s brilliant with seafood, asparagus, roast chicken, salads, pork and grilled vegetables.

Beerenauslese is a rich, sweet wine style from Germany and Austria, made from individually selected, very ripe grapes, often affected by noble rot. Expect apricot, peach and citrus with honey, tropical fruit and spice, balanced by refreshing acidity. It’s brilliant with blue cheese, crème brûlée, cheesecake, fruit tarts and peach or apricot desserts.

Icewine is an intensely sweet dessert wine made from grapes that freeze naturally on the vine, most famously in Canada and Germany. Expect peach, apricot and tropical fruit with honey and citrus, balanced by brilliant acidity. Rich, concentrated and luxurious, it’s stunning with cheesecake, crème brûlée, fruit tarts, blue cheese and tropical fruit desserts.

Spätburgunder is Germany’s name for Pinot Noir: a dry, light to medium-bodied red with bright cherry, raspberry and strawberry flavours, subtle spice and an earthy edge. Fresh rather than heavy, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, duck, pork, salmon, mushroom dishes and charcuterie – and lighter bottles can be delicious slightly chilled.

Weissburgunder is the German name for Pinot Blanc, a dry, light to medium-bodied white with crisp apple, pear and citrus flavours alongside white flowers, almond and a subtle mineral edge. Fresh but rounded, it’s brilliant with seafood, roast chicken, creamy pasta, salads, grilled vegetables and soft cheese.

Trollinger is a dry, light-bodied red best known from Württemberg in southern Germany. Expect juicy strawberry, raspberry and red cherry with gentle herbs and spice, soft tannins and plenty of freshness. Often served slightly chilled, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, sausages, pizza, charcuterie and grilled vegetables.

Silvaner is a dry, light to medium-bodied white best known from Germany and Alsace in France. Expect green apple, pear and citrus with fresh herbs and a subtle mineral edge. Crisp, understated and brilliantly food-friendly, it’s a great match for asparagus, seafood, roast chicken, salads, pork and grilled vegetables.

Scheurebe is an aromatic white grape from Germany, producing wines from bone-dry to beautifully sweet. Expect grapefruit, blackcurrant, peach and tropical fruit with floral notes and lively acidity. Boldly aromatic and seriously refreshing, it’s brilliant with Thai curry, spicy noodles, sushi, seafood, salads and fruit-based desserts.

Riesling is an aromatic white grape best known from Germany, producing everything from bone-dry wines to intensely sweet dessert styles. Expect lime, green apple and peach with floral and mineral notes. Its brilliant acidity makes it a dream with sushi, seafood, pork, spicy curry, Thai food and fruit-based desserts.

Regent is a dry, medium-bodied red grape most closely associated with Germany, producing deeply coloured wines packed with black cherry, blackberry and plum alongside herbs and gentle spice. Fruity and smooth with enough structure for food, it’s a great match for burgers, sausages, roast pork, roast chicken, pizza and mushroom dishes.

Portugieser is a dry, light-bodied red grown mainly in Germany and Austria, with juicy red cherry, raspberry and strawberry flavours, soft tannins and gentle spice. Fresh, fruity and easy-drinking, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, sausages, pizza, charcuterie and mushroom dishes, and lighter styles can be served slightly chilled.

Pinot Noir is a dry, light to medium-bodied red best known from Burgundy in France, with brilliant examples now made around the world. Expect cherry, raspberry and strawberry with gentle spice and earthy flavours. Silky rather than heavy, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, duck, pork, salmon, mushroom dishes and truffle pasta.

Pinot Blanc is a dry, light to medium-bodied white grown across France, Germany, Austria and northern Italy. Expect crisp apple, pear and citrus with white flowers, almond and a gentle creamy edge. Fresh but rounded, it’s brilliant with seafood, roast chicken, creamy pasta, salads, grilled vegetables and soft cheese.

Müller-Thurgau is a light, aromatic white grape best known from Germany, producing fresh wines that range from dry to slightly sweet. Expect green apple, pear and peach with citrus and delicate floral notes. Soft, easy-drinking and refreshing, it’s brilliant with grilled fish, prawns, roast chicken, salads, sushi and light Asian dishes.

Lemberger is a dry, medium-bodied red best known in Germany and Austria, where it’s better known as Blaufränkisch. Expect black cherry, blackberry and plum with pepper, herbs and spice. Fresh but structured, it’s brilliant with sausages, roast pork, burgers, roast beef, mushroom dishes and tomato-based pasta.

Kerner is a fresh, aromatic white grape from Germany, producing wines that range from dry to slightly sweet. Expect peach, apricot and green apple with citrus, floral notes and a mineral edge. Crisp and fragrant, it’s brilliant with seafood, roast chicken, spicy Asian food, sushi, salads and creamy cheeses.

Gutedel is a dry, light-bodied white best known from Germany and Switzerland, where it’s called Chasselas. Expect green apple, pear and lemon with delicate floral notes and a fresh mineral edge. Subtle, clean and easy-drinking, it’s brilliant with grilled fish, prawns, salads, roast chicken, asparagus and mild cheese.

Grauburgunder is the German name for Pinot Gris, a dry, medium-bodied white with ripe pear, apple and peach alongside citrus, almonds and gentle spice. Usually richer and rounder than Pinot Grigio, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, grilled fish, creamy pasta, mushroom dishes and roasted vegetables.

Gewürztraminer is a hugely aromatic white grape best known from Alsace in France, with unmistakable flavours of lychee, peach and tropical fruit alongside rose petals and warming spice. It can range from dry to sweet, and it’s brilliant with Thai curry, spicy Asian food, aromatic chicken dishes, pork, strong cheese and fruit desserts.