Chianti is a dry, medium-bodied red from Tuscany, Italy, made mainly from Sangiovese. Expect juicy cherry and red plum with herbs, violet, spice and an earthy edge. Its fresh acidity makes it an absolute natural with Italian food, especially pizza, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, tomato-based pasta, meatballs and roast meats.

Chenin Blanc is a brilliantly versatile white grape best known from France’s Loire Valley and South Africa, producing wines from bone-dry and crisp to rich and sweet. Expect apple, pear and quince with citrus, peach and honey. Its naturally high acidity makes it brilliant with seafood, roast chicken, pork, spicy Asian food, creamy dishes and fruit desserts.

Chardonnay is a dry white grape originally from Burgundy, France, and now grown virtually everywhere wine is made. Its style ranges from crisp lemon and green apple to rich peach, butter, vanilla and toast. Ridiculously versatile, it’s brilliant with seafood, roast chicken, creamy pasta, salmon, mushroom dishes and soft cheese.

Chablis is a dry, crisp white from northern Burgundy, France, made entirely from Chardonnay. Expect lemon, green apple and pear with a distinctive stony, mineral edge and plenty of fresh acidity. Lean and elegant rather than buttery, it’s brilliant with oysters, prawns, grilled fish, sushi, roast chicken and goat’s cheese.

Carménère is a dry, medium to full-bodied red best known from Chile, packed with blackberry, black cherry and plum alongside herbs, pepper and warming spice. Smooth, fruity and savoury, it’s brilliant with steak, burgers, roast beef, lamb, BBQ food, sausages and smoky vegetable dishes.

Carignan is a dry, medium to full-bodied red grape with deep roots in Spain and a long history in southern France. Expect black cherry, blackberry and plum with herbs, pepper and savoury spice. Fresh acidity and plenty of structure make it brilliant with roast lamb, sausages, BBQ food, beef stew, tomato-based dishes and Mediterranean food.

Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold, dry red originally from Bordeaux, France, and now grown pretty much everywhere that takes wine seriously. Expect blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry with cedar, herbs and spice. Full-bodied and structured, it’s brilliant with steak, roast beef, burgers, lamb, BBQ food and slow-cooked meat.

Cabernet Gernischt is a dry, medium to full-bodied red best known from China, particularly regions such as Ningxia and Shandong. Expect blackcurrant, blackberry and plum with herbs, pepper and savoury spice. Fruity but structured, it’s brilliant with steak, roast beef, lamb, burgers, BBQ food and roasted vegetables.

Red Burgundy is a dry, light to medium-bodied wine from Burgundy in eastern France, made primarily from Pinot Noir. Expect red cherry, raspberry and strawberry with gentle spice and earthy flavours. Elegant rather than heavy, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, duck, pork, salmon, mushroom dishes and truffle pasta.

Red Bordeaux is a dry, medium to full-bodied wine from southwestern France, usually blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Expect blackcurrant, plum and blackberry with cedar, herbs and savoury spice. Structured and complex, it’s brilliant with steak, roast beef, lamb, beef stew, mushroom dishes and mature cheese.

Beaujolais is a dry, light-bodied red from France, made almost entirely from the Gamay grape. Expect juicy cherry, raspberry and strawberry with floral notes and gentle spice. Fresh, fruity and low in tannins, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, charcuterie, sausages, pizza and mushroom dishes – and it’s particularly good slightly chilled.

Barolo is a powerful, dry red from Piedmont in northern Italy, made entirely from Nebbiolo. Expect red cherry and raspberry with rose, herbs, spice and complex earthy flavours, backed by high acidity and serious tannins. It’s brilliant with steak, roast beef, lamb, beef ragù, mushroom risotto, truffle pasta and mature cheese.

Barbera is a dry, medium-bodied red from Piedmont in northern Italy, packed with juicy cherry, plum and blackberry alongside herbs and gentle spice. Its trademark high acidity and softer tannins make it ridiculously food-friendly, especially with pizza, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, tomato-based pasta, sausages and roast pork.

Bacchus is a dry, aromatic white grape particularly popular in England, known for elderflower, gooseberry and citrus flavours alongside green apple and fresh herbs. Crisp, fragrant and very refreshing, it’s brilliant with goat’s cheese, seafood, grilled fish, salads, asparagus and herb-packed chicken dishes.

Amarone della Valpolicella is a rich, powerful and dry red from Veneto in northern Italy, made from partially dried grapes including Corvina and Corvinone. Expect black cherry, plum and dried fruit with chocolate, spice and tobacco. Full-bodied and warming, it’s brilliant with roast beef, steak, slow-cooked meat, lamb, mushroom dishes and mature cheese.

Albariño is a dry, crisp white best known from Galicia in northwestern Spain, with bright lemon, lime and peach flavours alongside white flowers and a distinctive salty, mineral edge. Fresh, aromatic and practically made for seafood, it’s brilliant with prawns, oysters, mussels, crab, grilled fish, sushi and seafood pasta.