Xinomavro is a bold, dry red from northern Greece, best known from Naoussa and Amyndeon. Expect red cherry, cranberry and plum with tomato, herbs, olives and earthy spice, backed by high acidity and serious tannins. Complex and brilliantly food-friendly, it’s great with lamb, steak, beef stew, tomato-based pasta, moussaka and mushroom dishes. Taste: Bright red fruit, serious structure and a savoury side that keeps things interesting. Xinomavro is typically dry and medium to f

White Côte de Beaune is a dry, elegant Chardonnay from Burgundy, France, ranging from fresh and mineral to rich, creamy and complex. Expect apple, pear and citrus with white flowers, nuts and gentle spice. It’s brilliant with lobster, scallops, grilled fish, roast chicken, creamy pasta, mushroom dishes and soft cheese.

Rosso di Montalcino is a dry, medium-bodied red from Tuscany, Italy, made from Sangiovese. Expect juicy cherry and raspberry, a little spice and that classic Italian freshness that makes it ridiculously easy to pair with food. Pizza, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, tomato-based pasta and roast meats are all very welcome here.

Morellino di Scansano is a dry, medium-bodied red from Tuscany, Italy, made mainly from Sangiovese – locally known as Morellino. Expect juicy cherry, red plum and blackberry with herbs, spice and a touch of earthiness. It's a seriously food-friendly red that works beautifully with pizza, lasagne, bolognese, steak, sausages and roast meats.

Vacqueyras is a bold, dry red from the Southern Rhône Valley in France, usually built around Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre in the mix. Expect ripe blackberry, plum and cherry with pepper, herbs and spice. Rich and warming, it's made for steak, roast lamb, beef stew, BBQ food and slow-cooked meat.

Ripasso della Valpolicella is a rich, dry red from Veneto in northern Italy, usually made from Corvina alongside other local grapes. Expect ripe cherry, plum and blackberry with warming spice, dried fruit and a touch of chocolate. Fuller than classic Valpolicella but not as intense as Amarone, it’s brilliant with lasagne, beef ragù, roast beef, lamb, sausages and rich tomato-based pasta.

Ribera del Duero is a bold, dry red from northern Spain, made mainly from Tempranillo – locally known as Tinto Fino or Tinta del País. Expect blackberry, plum and black cherry with spice, vanilla and savoury flavours. Full-bodied and structured, it’s a brilliant match for steak, roast beef, lamb, BBQ food and slow-cooked meat.

Mourvèdre is a bold, dry red grape best known in southern France and Spain, where it goes by the name Monastrell. Expect blackberry, black plum and blueberry with black pepper, herbs and earthy, savoury flavours. Full-bodied and powerful, it’s brilliant with steak, lamb, BBQ ribs, burgers, sausages and slow-cooked meat.

Montepulciano is a dry, medium to full-bodied red from Italy, best known in the Abruzzo region. Expect juicy black cherry, plum and blackberry with herbs, spice and a touch of earthiness. Rich without being overly heavy, it’s a brilliant match for pizza, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, burgers, sausages, roast meats and mature cheese.

Meritage is a dry, full-bodied Bordeaux-style blend from the United States, usually led by grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Expect blackberry, blackcurrant and plum with cedar, spice and smooth oak flavours. Rich and structured, it’s a natural match for steak, roast beef, burgers, lamb, BBQ food and slow-cooked meat.

Gigondas is a bold, dry red from the Southern Rhône Valley in France, usually led by Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre alongside it. Expect ripe blackberry, cherry and plum with pepper, herbs and warming spice. Rich, powerful and full of flavour, it’s brilliant with steak, roast lamb, beef stew, BBQ food and slow-cooked meat.

Brunello di Montalcino is a bold, dry red from Tuscany, Italy, made entirely from Sangiovese. Expect ripe cherry and plum with herbs, spice, tobacco and earthy flavours, backed by serious structure and plenty of ageing potential. It’s made for steak, roast beef, lamb, beef ragù, lasagne, truffle pasta and mature Italian cheese.

Barbaresco is a dry, full-bodied red from Piedmont in northern Italy, made entirely from Nebbiolo. Expect red cherry and raspberry with rose, spice, earth and savoury flavours, backed by high acidity and noticeable tannins. It’s brilliant with roast beef, steak, lamb, beef ragù, mushroom risotto, truffle pasta and mature cheese.

Bandol is a bold, dry red from Provence in southern France, made mainly from Mourvèdre. Expect blackberry, black cherry and plum with herbs, black pepper and savoury spice, backed by plenty of structure. Rich and powerful, it’s brilliant with steak, roast lamb, beef stew, BBQ ribs, grilled meat and slow-cooked dishes.

Zinfandel is a bold, dry red best known from California in the United States, packed with ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum alongside pepper, spice and often a touch of vanilla. Full-bodied, fruity and usually generous in alcohol, it’s brilliant with BBQ ribs, burgers, pulled pork, steak, pizza and rich tomato-based pasta.

Vidal is a white grape best known from Canada, where it’s famous for producing rich, intensely sweet Icewine. Expect peach, apricot and pineapple with honey, citrus and tropical fruit, balanced by refreshing acidity. It’s brilliant with cheesecake, fruit tarts, crème brûlée, blue cheese and tropical fruit desserts.

Toro is a bold, dry red from Castilla y León in northwestern Spain, made mainly from a local expression of Tempranillo known as Tinta de Toro. Expect blackberry, black cherry and plum with spice, cocoa and smoky oak. Full-bodied and powerful, it’s brilliant with steak, roast beef, lamb, BBQ ribs, burgers and slow-cooked meat.

Tempranillo is a bold, dry red grape from Spain and the star behind some of the country’s most famous wines, including Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Expect cherry, plum and blackberry with spice, leather and vanilla in oak-aged styles. It’s brilliant with steak, roast lamb, burgers, chorizo, BBQ food and rich tomato-based dishes.

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.

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.