Cortese is a dry, crisp white grape from Piedmont in northern Italy and the grape behind Gavi. Expect lemon, green apple and pear with white flowers, almonds and a fresh mineral edge. Light, clean and seriously refreshing, it’s brilliant with prawns, grilled fish, seafood pasta, salads, roast chicken and fresh Italian dishes.
Chianti is a dry, medium-bodied red from Tuscany, Italy, made mainly from Sangiovese. Expect juicy cherry and red plum with herbs, violet, spice and an earthy edge. Its fresh acidity makes it an absolute natural with Italian food, especially pizza, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, tomato-based pasta, meatballs and roast meats.
Chenin Blanc is a brilliantly versatile white grape best known from France’s Loire Valley and South Africa, producing wines from bone-dry and crisp to rich and sweet. Expect apple, pear and quince with citrus, peach and honey. Its naturally high acidity makes it brilliant with seafood, roast chicken, pork, spicy Asian food, creamy dishes and fruit desserts.
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.
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.
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.