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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Crémant is a French sparkling wine made using the traditional bottle-fermentation method outside the Champagne region. Styles vary depending on where it’s made, but expect crisp citrus, apple and pear with floral, almond and subtle brioche notes. Fresh and seriously food-friendly, it’s brilliant with seafood, sushi, fried food, charcuterie, canapés and soft cheese.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.