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.

Bobal is a dry, medium to full-bodied red grape from southeastern Spain, particularly Utiel-Requena in Valencia. Expect blackberry, black cherry and plum with herbs, pepper and earthy spice. Fruity but structured with plenty of freshness, it’s brilliant with steak, lamb, burgers, sausages, BBQ food and rich tomato-based dishes.

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.

Asti Spumante is a sweet, fully sparkling white from Piedmont in northern Italy, made from Moscato Bianco grapes. Expect peach, apricot and fresh grape flavours with orange blossom, honeysuckle and plenty of bubbles. Light, fruity and usually low in alcohol, it’s brilliant with fruit tarts, cheesecake, pavlova, fresh berries and spicy Asian food.

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.