Maratheftiko is a bold, dry red grape native to Cyprus, with ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum alongside violet, herbs and warming spice. Medium to full-bodied with plenty of structure, it’s brilliant with lamb, steak, beef stew, grilled meat, BBQ food, moussaka and Mediterranean dishes.

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.

Ribera del Duero is a bold, dry red from northern Spain, made mainly from Tempranillo – locally known as Tinto Fino or Tinta del País. Expect blackberry, plum and black cherry with spice, vanilla and savoury flavours. Full-bodied and structured, it’s a brilliant match for steak, roast beef, lamb, BBQ food and slow-cooked meat.

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.

Tempranillo is a bold, dry red grape from Spain and the star behind some of the country’s most famous wines, including Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Expect cherry, plum and blackberry with spice, leather and vanilla in oak-aged styles. It’s brilliant with steak, roast lamb, burgers, chorizo, BBQ food and rich tomato-based dishes.

Rioja is a dry, medium to full-bodied red from northern Spain, usually led by Tempranillo. Expect cherry, plum and blackberry with vanilla, spice, leather and savoury flavours, particularly in oak-aged bottles. Smooth, warming and seriously food-friendly, it’s brilliant with steak, roast lamb, chorizo, BBQ food, burgers and tomato-based dishes.

Merlot is a dry, medium to full-bodied red originally from Bordeaux, France, and now grown all over the world. Expect juicy plum, black cherry and blackberry with herbs, chocolate and gentle spice. Smooth and approachable, it’s brilliant with roast beef, burgers, roast chicken, pork, lasagne, bolognese and mushroom dishes.

Malbec is a bold, dry red best known from Argentina, particularly Mendoza, with rich flavours of blackberry, black plum and black cherry alongside cocoa, spice and violet. Full-bodied, smooth and made for big flavours, it’s brilliant with steak, burgers, roast beef, BBQ ribs, lamb and slow-cooked meat.

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.