Maratheftiko is a bold, dry red grape native to Cyprus, with ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum alongside violet, herbs and warming spice. Medium to full-bodied with plenty of structure, it’s brilliant with lamb, steak, beef stew, grilled meat, BBQ food, moussaka and Mediterranean dishes.

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 Saint-Aubin is a dry, elegant Chardonnay from Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune in France, with flavours of lemon, green apple and pear alongside white flowers and a fresh mineral edge. Refined but not overly rich, it’s brilliant with prawns, scallops, grilled fish, roast chicken, creamy pasta and mushroom dishes.

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.

Beaune is an elegant, dry red from Burgundy, France, made from Pinot Noir. Expect plenty of cherry and raspberry, a little spice and earthiness, and a lighter style of red that works brilliantly with roast chicken, duck, pork, mushroom dishes and a classic Sunday roast.

Volnay is a dry Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France, known for being light, silky and seriously elegant. It's packed with red cherry, raspberry and strawberry flavours and pairs beautifully with roast chicken, duck, pork, salmon, mushroom dishes and creamy cheeses.

Pommard is a bold, dry Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France, with darker fruit and more structure than many of its Burgundian neighbours. Expect black cherry, plum, spice and earthy flavours that work brilliantly with steak, roast beef, lamb, slow-cooked meat and rich mushroom dishes.

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.

Bardolino is a light, dry red from Veneto in northern Italy, made mainly from Corvina, with other local grapes often joining the party. Expect juicy cherry, strawberry and raspberry with gentle spice and barely-there tannins. It's an easy-drinking red that's brilliant with pizza, tomato pasta, chicken, antipasti and lighter Italian dishes.

Chassagne-Montrachet is a dry, elegant white from Burgundy, France, made from Chardonnay. Expect ripe apple, pear and citrus with white flowers, hazelnut and gentle spice. Rich but beautifully balanced, it’s brilliant with lobster, scallops, grilled fish, roast chicken, creamy pasta, mushroom dishes and soft cheese.

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.

Valpolicella is a dry, light to medium-bodied red from Veneto in northern Italy, usually made from Corvina alongside other local grapes. Expect juicy cherry, raspberry and red plum with gentle herbs and spice. Fresh, fruity and incredibly food-friendly, it's a great match for pizza, lasagne, tomato pasta, roast chicken, pork and a loaded antipasti board.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a dry, medium to full-bodied red from Tuscany, Italy, made mainly from Sangiovese, locally known as Prugnolo Gentile. Expect ripe cherry and plum with spice, herbs and earthy flavours. It's a brilliant bottle for steak, roast beef, lamb, lasagne, bolognese and rich tomato-based pasta dishes.

Zweigelt is a dry, light to medium-bodied red from Austria, packed with juicy cherry, raspberry and plum, often with a little pepper and spice. Fresh, fruity and easy to drink, it's a great match for roast chicken, pork, sausages, burgers, pizza and charcuterie – and it's one of those reds that's pretty happy being served slightly chilled.

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.

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.

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.