Furmint is a high-acid white grape best known from Hungary’s Tokaj region, producing everything from bone-dry whites to intensely sweet Tokaji. Expect green apple, pear and citrus with quince, herbs and a mineral edge, while sweeter styles bring apricot and honey. It’s brilliant with seafood, roast chicken, pork, spicy Asian food, blue cheese and fruit desserts.

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.

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.

Puligny-Montrachet is a dry, elegant white from Burgundy, France, made entirely from Chardonnay. Expect citrus, green apple and pear with white flowers, hazelnut and a distinctive mineral edge. Refined rather than overly rich, it’s brilliant with lobster, scallops, roast chicken, creamy pasta, mushroom dishes and soft cheese.

Meursault is a dry, rich white from Burgundy, France, made from Chardonnay. Expect ripe apple, pear and citrus with hazelnut, butter and gentle spice, often wrapped in a creamy texture. Full-flavoured but beautifully balanced, it’s brilliant with lobster, scallops, roast chicken, creamy pasta, mushroom dishes and soft cheese.

Brachetto d'Acqui is a sweet, lightly sparkling red from Piedmont in northern Italy, bursting with strawberry, raspberry, cherry and rose. Light, fruity and usually lower in alcohol than most reds, it’s a brilliant match for chocolate, strawberries, berry desserts, cheesecake and fruit tarts – basically, dessert just found its plus-one.

Viognier is a dry, aromatic white grape best known from France’s Rhône Valley, packed with peach, apricot and honeysuckle alongside citrus, spice and a rich, silky texture. Full-flavoured but beautifully fragrant, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, creamy pasta, prawns, Thai curry, grilled fish and aromatic Asian 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.

Monbazillac is a rich, sweet white wine from southwestern France, usually made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle grapes affected by noble rot. Expect apricot, peach and citrus with honey, marmalade and floral notes. Luscious but fresh, it’s brilliant with blue cheese, foie gras, cheesecake, crème brûlée and fruit tarts.

Marsanne is a dry, medium to full-bodied white grape best known from France’s Rhône Valley, with ripe pear, peach and melon alongside white flowers, almonds and gentle spice. Rich, rounded and beautifully textured, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, grilled fish, creamy pasta, mushroom dishes and buttery seafood.

Grenache Blanc is a dry, medium to full-bodied white grape best known from southern France and northeastern Spain. Expect ripe pear, peach and citrus with herbs, white flowers and gentle spice. Rounded but fresh, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, grilled fish, seafood pasta, creamy dishes, Mediterranean vegetables and soft cheese.

Grauburgunder is the German name for Pinot Gris, a dry, medium-bodied white with ripe pear, apple and peach alongside citrus, almonds and gentle spice. Usually richer and rounder than Pinot Grigio, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, grilled fish, creamy pasta, mushroom dishes and roasted vegetables.

Franciacorta is a dry, traditional-method sparkling wine from Lombardy in northern Italy, made mainly from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Expect lemon, green apple and pear with brioche, toast and almond notes from bottle ageing. Fine, elegant and seriously food-friendly, it’s brilliant with seafood, sushi, fried food, risotto, roast chicken and Parmesan.

Chardonnay is a dry white grape originally from Burgundy, France, and now grown virtually everywhere wine is made. Its style ranges from crisp lemon and green apple to rich peach, butter, vanilla and toast. Ridiculously versatile, it’s brilliant with seafood, roast chicken, creamy pasta, salmon, mushroom dishes and soft cheese.

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.