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.

Trollinger is a dry, light-bodied red best known from Württemberg in southern Germany. Expect juicy strawberry, raspberry and red cherry with gentle herbs and spice, soft tannins and plenty of freshness. Often served slightly chilled, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, sausages, pizza, charcuterie and grilled vegetables.

Monbazillac is a rich, sweet white wine from southwestern France, usually made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle grapes affected by noble rot. Expect apricot, peach and citrus with honey, marmalade and floral notes. Luscious but fresh, it’s brilliant with blue cheese, foie gras, cheesecake, crème brûlée and fruit tarts.

Regent is a dry, medium-bodied red grape most closely associated with Germany, producing deeply coloured wines packed with black cherry, blackberry and plum alongside herbs and gentle spice. Fruity and smooth with enough structure for food, it’s a great match for burgers, sausages, roast pork, roast chicken, pizza and mushroom dishes.

Dornfelder is a deeply coloured red grape from Germany, producing wines packed with blackberry, black cherry and plum alongside gentle spice and floral notes. It can range from dry to slightly sweet, with soft tannins and plenty of fruit, making it brilliant with burgers, sausages, roast pork, pizza, BBQ food and tomato-based pasta.

Montepulciano is a dry, medium to full-bodied red from Italy, best known in the Abruzzo region. Expect juicy black cherry, plum and blackberry with herbs, spice and a touch of earthiness. Rich without being overly heavy, it’s a brilliant match for pizza, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, burgers, sausages, roast meats and mature cheese.

Grenache Rosé is a dry, fruity rosé made from Grenache, particularly popular across southern France and Mediterranean wine regions. Expect strawberry, raspberry and watermelon with citrus, herbs and gentle spice. Fresh but full of flavour, it’s brilliant with prawns, grilled chicken, salmon, pizza, salads and Mediterranean dishes.

Gewürztraminer is a hugely aromatic white grape best known from Alsace in France, with unmistakable flavours of lychee, peach and tropical fruit alongside rose petals and warming spice. It can range from dry to sweet, and it’s brilliant with Thai curry, spicy Asian food, aromatic chicken dishes, pork, strong cheese and fruit desserts.

Picpoul de Pinet is a bone-dry, light-bodied white from the Languedoc in southern France, made from the Picpoul grape. Expect lemon, lime and green apple with fresh herbs and a salty, mineral edge. Crisp, zesty and made for seafood, it’s brilliant with oysters, mussels, prawns, crab, calamari and grilled fish.

Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold, dry red originally from Bordeaux, France, and now grown pretty much everywhere that takes wine seriously. Expect blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry with cedar, herbs and spice. Full-bodied and structured, it’s brilliant with steak, roast beef, burgers, lamb, BBQ food and slow-cooked meat.

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.

Sauternes is a rich, sweet white wine from Bordeaux, France, usually made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes affected by noble rot. Expect apricot, peach and citrus with honey, marmalade and spice. Luscious but balanced by bright acidity, it’s brilliant with blue cheese, foie gras, crème brûlée, cheesecake and fruit tarts.

Chablis is a dry, crisp white from northern Burgundy, France, made entirely from Chardonnay. Expect lemon, green apple and pear with a distinctive stony, mineral edge and plenty of fresh acidity. Lean and elegant rather than buttery, it’s brilliant with oysters, prawns, grilled fish, sushi, roast chicken and goat’s cheese.

Cabernet Gernischt is a dry, medium to full-bodied red best known from China, particularly regions such as Ningxia and Shandong. Expect blackcurrant, blackberry and plum with herbs, pepper and savoury spice. Fruity but structured, it’s brilliant with steak, roast beef, lamb, burgers, BBQ food and roasted vegetables.

Roussanne is a dry, medium to full-bodied white grape best known from France’s Rhône Valley. Expect pear, peach and apricot with white flowers, herbs, honey and gentle spice. Rich but fresh, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, grilled fish, creamy pasta, mushroom dishes and herb-heavy Mediterranean food.

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.

Moscato d’Asti is a sweet, gently sparkling white from Piedmont in northern Italy, made from Moscato Bianco grapes. Expect peach, apricot and fresh grape flavours with orange blossom and honeysuckle. Light, fragrant and low in alcohol, it’s brilliant with cheesecake, fruit tarts, pavlova, fresh berries and spicy Asian food.

Vacqueyras is a bold, dry red from the Southern Rhône Valley in France, usually built around Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre in the mix. Expect ripe blackberry, plum and cherry with pepper, herbs and spice. Rich and warming, it's made for steak, roast lamb, beef stew, BBQ food and slow-cooked meat.

Pinot Meunier is a light to medium-bodied red grape from France, best known as one of the key grapes used in Champagne. When made as a still red, expect juicy cherry, raspberry and strawberry with floral, herbal and gently earthy flavours. Fresh and soft, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, duck, salmon, charcuterie and mushroom dishes.

Tokaji is a famous white wine from Hungary’s Tokaj region, best known for its rich, sweet styles made largely from Furmint. Expect apricot, peach and citrus with honey, marmalade and warming spice, balanced by brilliant acidity. It’s a stunning match for blue cheese, foie gras, cheesecake, fruit tarts, crème brûlée and apricot desserts.