Syrah is a bold, dry red grape best known from France’s Rhône Valley, producing wines packed with blackberry, blueberry and plum alongside its signature black pepper, herbs and savoury spice. Full-bodied and structured, it’s brilliant with steak, roast beef, lamb, BBQ ribs, burgers, sausages and slow-cooked meat.

Soave is a dry, light to medium-bodied white from Veneto in northern Italy, made mainly from the Garganega grape. Expect lemon, green apple and pear with white flowers, herbs and a subtle almond finish. Fresh but full of character, it’s brilliant with prawns, grilled fish, seafood pasta, risotto, roast chicken and light Italian dishes.

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.

Shiraz is a bold, dry red best known from Australia, packed with ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum alongside black pepper, spice and often a touch of chocolate. Full-bodied, rich and warming, it’s brilliant with steak, BBQ ribs, burgers, roast lamb, sausages, brisket and slow-cooked beef.

Sémillon is a versatile white grape best known from Bordeaux in France and Australia’s Hunter Valley, producing everything from crisp, dry whites to rich, honeyed dessert wines. Expect lemon, apple and pear with waxy, nutty and honeyed notes as it develops. It’s brilliant with seafood, roast chicken, creamy pasta, soft cheese and fruit desserts.

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.

Sauvignon Blanc is a dry, crisp white grape originally from France and now famous worldwide, particularly in New Zealand. Expect lime, grapefruit and gooseberry with fresh herbs and tropical fruit depending on where it’s grown. Zesty and refreshing, it’s brilliant with seafood, goat’s cheese, sushi, salads, asparagus and herby chicken dishes.

Sangiovese is a dry, medium-bodied red grape from Italy and the star behind some of Tuscany’s biggest names, including Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Expect cherry and red plum with herbs, spice and earthy flavours. Fresh, savoury and made for food, it’s brilliant with pizza, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, tomato pasta, steak and roast meats.

Saint-Émilion is a rich, dry red from Bordeaux, France, usually led by Merlot with Cabernet Franc playing a major supporting role. Expect plum, black cherry and blackberry with herbs, spice and earthy flavours. Smooth but structured, it’s brilliant with steak, roast beef, lamb, beef stew, mushroom dishes and mature cheese.

Rosé Prosecco is a fresh, sparkling pink wine from northeastern Italy, made mainly from Glera with a small amount of Pinot Noir. Expect strawberry, raspberry and red apple alongside peach, citrus and white flowers. Light, fruity and incredibly easy to drink, it’s brilliant with prawns, sushi, charcuterie, pizza, brunch and berry desserts.

Rosé Champagne is a sparkling pink wine from the Champagne region of France, usually made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Expect strawberry, raspberry and red cherry alongside citrus, brioche and toast. Fresh but fuller-flavoured than many sparkling wines, it’s brilliant with salmon, prawns, sushi, roast chicken, charcuterie and berry desserts.

Rosato is the Italian name for rosé, covering pink wines made across Italy from grapes such as Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Negroamaro and other local varieties. Styles vary, but expect strawberry, raspberry and red cherry with citrus, herbs and gentle spice. Fresh and food-friendly, it’s brilliant with pizza, pasta, seafood, grilled chicken, antipasti and salads.

Rioja is a dry, medium to full-bodied red from northern Spain, usually led by Tempranillo. Expect cherry, plum and blackberry with vanilla, spice, leather and savoury flavours, particularly in oak-aged bottles. Smooth, warming and seriously food-friendly, it’s brilliant with steak, roast lamb, chorizo, BBQ food, burgers and tomato-based dishes.

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.

Prosecco is a fresh, sparkling white from northeastern Italy, made mainly from the Glera grape. Expect green apple, pear and citrus with white flowers and peach, wrapped in lively bubbles. Light, fruity and incredibly easy to drink, it’s brilliant with canapés, prosciutto, prawns, sushi, pizza, light pasta and brunch dishes.

Priorat is a bold, dry red from Catalonia in northeastern Spain, usually built around Garnacha and Cariñena. Expect blackberry, black cherry and plum with herbs, liquorice, spice and a distinctive mineral edge. Rich, powerful and structured, it’s brilliant with steak, roast lamb, beef stew, BBQ food, slow-cooked meat and mature cheese.

Primitivo is a bold, dry red from Puglia in southern Italy, packed with ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum alongside spice, pepper and often a touch of chocolate. Rich, fruity and warming, it’s brilliant with pizza, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, BBQ ribs, burgers, sausages and slow-cooked meat.

Pouilly-Fumé is a dry, crisp white from the Loire Valley in France, made entirely from Sauvignon Blanc. Expect lemon, grapefruit and green apple with herbs and a distinctive flinty, mineral edge. Fresh, elegant and seriously refreshing, it’s brilliant with oysters, prawns, grilled fish, goat’s cheese, salads and fresh herb dishes.

Pouilly-Fuissé is a dry, medium to full-bodied white from southern Burgundy, France, made entirely from Chardonnay. Expect ripe apple, pear and citrus with stone fruit, nuts and a subtle mineral edge. Rich but fresh, it’s brilliant with lobster, prawns, grilled fish, roast chicken, creamy pasta, mushroom dishes and soft cheese.