Mencía is a dry, medium-bodied red from northwestern Spain, best known from Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra. Expect juicy red cherry, raspberry and blackberry with violet, herbs, pepper and a distinctive mineral edge. Fresh rather than heavy, it’s brilliant with roast pork, chicken, lamb, charcuterie, mushroom dishes and tomato-based pasta.

Kerner is a fresh, aromatic white grape from Germany, producing wines that range from dry to slightly sweet. Expect peach, apricot and green apple with citrus, floral notes and a mineral edge. Crisp and fragrant, it’s brilliant with seafood, roast chicken, spicy Asian food, sushi, salads and creamy cheeses.

Gutedel is a dry, light-bodied white best known from Germany and Switzerland, where it’s called Chasselas. Expect green apple, pear and lemon with delicate floral notes and a fresh mineral edge. Subtle, clean and easy-drinking, it’s brilliant with grilled fish, prawns, salads, roast chicken, asparagus and mild cheese.

Grüner Veltliner is a dry, crisp white from Austria, known for green apple, lemon and lime alongside herbs and its signature white-pepper kick. Fresh, zesty and brilliantly food-friendly, it’s a great match for seafood, sushi, roast chicken, salads, asparagus, spicy Asian dishes and grilled vegetables.

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.

Gavi is a dry, crisp white from Piedmont in northern Italy, made from the Cortese grape. Expect lemon, green apple and pear with white flowers, almonds and a fresh mineral edge. Light, elegant and seriously refreshing, it’s brilliant with prawns, grilled fish, seafood pasta, roast chicken, salads and fresh Italian dishes.

Garnacha Rosado is a dry, fruity rosé from Spain, made from the Garnacha grape. Expect strawberry, raspberry and watermelon with citrus, herbs and a touch of spice. Fresh but fuller-flavoured than many pale rosés, it’s brilliant with tapas, prawns, grilled chicken, paella, pizza, salads and Mediterranean dishes.

Garganega is a dry, light to medium-bodied white grape from Veneto in northern Italy and the star behind Soave. Expect lemon, pear and green apple with white flowers, herbs and a distinctive almond finish. Fresh but full of character, it’s brilliant with seafood, grilled fish, risotto, roast chicken, pesto pasta and fresh Italian dishes.

Gamay is a dry, light-bodied red grape best known from Beaujolais in France, packed with juicy cherry, raspberry and strawberry alongside floral notes and gentle spice. Fresh, fruity and low in tannins, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, charcuterie, pizza, sausages and mushroom dishes – and it’s delicious slightly chilled.

Fiano di Avellino is a dry, medium-bodied white from Campania in southern Italy, made from the Fiano grape. Expect lemon, pear and ripe apple with white flowers, hazelnut, honey and a mineral edge. Fresh but beautifully textured, it’s brilliant with seafood, grilled fish, roast chicken, creamy pasta, risotto and fresh Italian dishes.

Elbling is a bone-dry, light-bodied white best known from Germany’s Mosel region, with crisp lemon, green apple and pear flavours alongside white flowers and a subtle mineral edge. Light, zesty and seriously refreshing, it’s brilliant with oysters, prawns, grilled fish, sushi, salads and fresh goat’s cheese.

Dolcetto is a dry, medium-bodied red from Piedmont in northern Italy, packed with black cherry, plum and blackberry alongside violet, herbs and a distinctive almond note. Fruity, soft and made for drinking young, it’s brilliant with pizza, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, sausages, charcuterie and mushroom dishes.

Côtes du Rhône is a dry, medium to full-bodied wine from France’s Rhône Valley, with the reds usually built around Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Expect ripe cherry, blackberry and plum with pepper, herbs and warming spice. Rich but easy-going, it’s brilliant with roast lamb, sausages, burgers, BBQ food, pizza and slow-cooked meat.

Côtes de Provence is a dry, pale rosé from Provence in southern France, usually made from grapes such as Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. Expect strawberry, peach and watermelon with citrus, flowers and fresh herbs. Crisp, elegant and ridiculously refreshing, it’s brilliant with seafood, salads, grilled chicken, sushi and Mediterranean food.

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.

Cinsault Rosé is a dry, light-bodied rosé best known from southern France, with fresh strawberry, raspberry and watermelon flavours alongside citrus, flowers and delicate herbs. Soft, crisp and easy-drinking, it’s brilliant with prawns, grilled fish, chicken, salads, sushi, Mediterranean food and soft cheese.

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.

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.