Champagne is a sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France, usually made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Expect citrus, green apple and pear with brioche, toast and almond notes from ageing. Crisp, complex and famously celebratory, it’s brilliant with oysters, seafood, sushi, fried chicken, chips, soft cheese and canapés.
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.
Cava is a dry, traditional-method sparkling wine from Spain, most famously made in Catalonia from grapes including Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada. Expect lemon, green apple and pear with almond, toast and gentle brioche notes. Crisp and seriously food-friendly, it’s brilliant with tapas, seafood, sushi, fried food, charcuterie and paella.
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.
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.
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.
