Meritage is a dry, full-bodied Bordeaux-style blend from the United States, usually led by grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Expect blackberry, blackcurrant and plum with cedar, spice and smooth oak flavours. Rich and structured, it’s a natural match for steak, roast beef, burgers, lamb, BBQ food and slow-cooked meat.

Lambrusco is a sparkling red from Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy that can range from bone-dry to noticeably sweet. Expect juicy cherry, strawberry, raspberry and blackberry with refreshing acidity and plenty of fizz. It's brilliant with pizza, lasagne, charcuterie, Parmesan, burgers and anything involving prosciutto or salami.

Greco di Tufo is a dry, medium-bodied white from Campania in southern Italy, made from the Greco grape. Expect lemon, green apple and pear with stone fruit, herbs and a distinctive mineral edge. Fresh but full of character, it’s brilliant with seafood, prawns, grilled fish, seafood pasta, roast chicken and fresh Italian dishes.

Falanghina is a dry, fresh white from Campania in southern Italy, known for crisp lemon, green apple and pear with white flowers, herbs and a mineral edge. Bright, citrusy and made for Mediterranean food, it’s brilliant with prawns, grilled fish, seafood pasta, pizza, roast chicken and fresh tomato dishes.

Cabernet Franc is a dry, medium-bodied red originally from France, best known in Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. Expect raspberry, red cherry and blackcurrant with herbs, pepper and a subtle earthy edge. Fresh and savoury rather than overly heavy, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, steak, lamb, tomato-based pasta and grilled vegetables.

Brunello di Montalcino is a bold, dry red from Tuscany, Italy, made entirely from Sangiovese. Expect ripe cherry and plum with herbs, spice, tobacco and earthy flavours, backed by serious structure and plenty of ageing potential. It’s made for steak, roast beef, lamb, beef ragù, lasagne, truffle pasta and mature Italian cheese.

Barbaresco is a dry, full-bodied red from Piedmont in northern Italy, made entirely from Nebbiolo. Expect red cherry and raspberry with rose, spice, earth and savoury flavours, backed by high acidity and noticeable tannins. It’s brilliant with roast beef, steak, lamb, beef ragù, mushroom risotto, truffle pasta and mature cheese.

Zinfandel is a bold, dry red best known from California in the United States, packed with ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum alongside pepper, spice and often a touch of vanilla. Full-bodied, fruity and usually generous in alcohol, it’s brilliant with BBQ ribs, burgers, pulled pork, steak, pizza and rich tomato-based pasta.

White Zinfandel is a sweet to off-dry rosé from California, made from the red Zinfandel grape. Expect strawberry, raspberry and watermelon with peach and citrus, all wrapped up in a light, easy-drinking style. Fruity and refreshing, it’s brilliant with spicy Asian food, BBQ chicken, salads, fruit dishes and creamy cheeses.

Welschriesling is a fresh white grape grown across Austria and Central Europe, producing everything from crisp, dry wines to intensely sweet dessert styles. Expect green apple, lemon and pear with floral, herbal and mineral notes. Refreshing and versatile, it’s brilliant with seafood, salads, roast chicken, schnitzel, spicy Asian food and fruit desserts.

Viura is a dry, fresh white grape best known from Spain, particularly Rioja, where it’s used for everything from crisp young whites to richer, oak-aged wines. Expect green apple, pear and citrus with floral, herbal and sometimes nutty notes. It’s brilliant with seafood, grilled fish, roast chicken, tapas, salads and creamy pasta.

Verdejo is a dry, crisp white from Spain, best known from the Rueda region, with flavours of lime, green apple and grapefruit alongside herbs, tropical fruit and a subtle bitter edge. Fresh, aromatic and seriously refreshing, it’s brilliant with seafood, sushi, salads, roast chicken, tapas and grilled vegetables.

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

Scheurebe is an aromatic white grape from Germany, producing wines from bone-dry to beautifully sweet. Expect grapefruit, blackcurrant, peach and tropical fruit with floral notes and lively acidity. Boldly aromatic and seriously refreshing, it’s brilliant with Thai curry, spicy noodles, sushi, seafood, salads and fruit-based desserts.

Sauvignon Blanc is a dry, crisp white grape originally from France and now famous worldwide, particularly in New Zealand. Expect lime, grapefruit and gooseberry with fresh herbs and tropical fruit depending on where it’s grown. Zesty and refreshing, it’s brilliant with seafood, goat’s cheese, sushi, salads, asparagus and herby chicken dishes.

Sangiovese is a dry, medium-bodied red grape from Italy and the star behind some of Tuscany’s biggest names, including Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Expect cherry and red plum with herbs, spice and earthy flavours. Fresh, savoury and made for food, it’s brilliant with pizza, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, tomato pasta, steak and roast meats.

Rosé Prosecco is a fresh, sparkling pink wine from northeastern Italy, made mainly from Glera with a small amount of Pinot Noir. Expect strawberry, raspberry and red apple alongside peach, citrus and white flowers. Light, fruity and incredibly easy to drink, it’s brilliant with prawns, sushi, charcuterie, pizza, brunch and berry desserts.

Prosecco is a fresh, sparkling white from northeastern Italy, made mainly from the Glera grape. Expect green apple, pear and citrus with white flowers and peach, wrapped in lively bubbles. Light, fruity and incredibly easy to drink, it’s brilliant with canapés, prosciutto, prawns, sushi, pizza, light pasta and brunch dishes.

Primitivo is a bold, dry red from Puglia in southern Italy, packed with ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum alongside spice, pepper and often a touch of chocolate. Rich, fruity and warming, it’s brilliant with pizza, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, BBQ ribs, burgers, sausages and slow-cooked meat.

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.