Spätburgunder

Spätburgunder is Germany’s name for Pinot Noir: a dry, light to medium-bodied red with bright cherry, raspberry and strawberry flavours, subtle spice and an earthy edge. Fresh rather than heavy, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, duck, pork, salmon, mushroom dishes and charcuterie – and lighter bottles can be delicious slightly chilled.

Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is a dry, light-bodied white best known from Italy, particularly the north, with crisp flavours of lemon, green apple and pear alongside subtle floral and mineral notes. Fresh, clean and easy-drinking, it’s brilliant with prawns, grilled fish, seafood pasta, salads, roast chicken and light Mediterranean dishes.

Franciacorta

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.

Falanghina

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.

Tavel

Tavel is a dry, full-flavoured rosé from the Southern Rhône Valley in France, usually made from Grenache alongside grapes such as Cinsault and Syrah. Expect strawberry, raspberry and red cherry with herbs and gentle spice. Richer than most rosés, it’s brilliant with grilled chicken, salmon, BBQ food, pizza, charcuterie and Mediterranean dishes.

Cava

Cava is a dry, traditional-method sparkling wine from Spain, most famously made in Catalonia from grapes including Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada. Expect lemon, green apple and pear with almond, toast and gentle brioche notes. Crisp and seriously food-friendly, it’s brilliant with tapas, seafood, sushi, fried food, charcuterie and paella.

Greco di Tufo

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.

Pinot Blanc

Pinot Blanc is a dry, light to medium-bodied white grown across France, Germany, Austria and northern Italy. Expect crisp apple, pear and citrus with white flowers, almond and a gentle creamy edge. Fresh but rounded, it’s brilliant with seafood, roast chicken, creamy pasta, salads, grilled vegetables and soft cheese.

Riesling

Riesling is an aromatic white grape best known from Germany, producing everything from bone-dry wines to intensely sweet dessert styles. Expect lime, green apple and peach with floral and mineral notes. Its brilliant acidity makes it a dream with sushi, seafood, pork, spicy curry, Thai food and fruit-based desserts.

Zweigelt

Zweigelt is a dry, light to medium-bodied red from Austria, packed with juicy cherry, raspberry and plum, often with a little pepper and spice. Fresh, fruity and easy to drink, it's a great match for roast chicken, pork, sausages, burgers, pizza and charcuterie – and it's one of those reds that's pretty happy being served slightly chilled.

Meursault

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.

Sancerre

Sancerre is a dry, crisp white from the Loire Valley in France, made from Sauvignon Blanc. Expect lemon, grapefruit and green apple with fresh herbs and a distinctive mineral edge. Elegant, zesty and seriously refreshing, it’s brilliant with goat’s cheese, oysters, prawns, grilled fish, sushi, salads and asparagus.

Verdicchio

Verdicchio is a dry, crisp white from the Marche region of central Italy, known for lemon, green apple and pear flavours with herbs, minerals and a distinctive almond finish. Fresh but full of character, it’s brilliant with prawns, grilled fish, seafood pasta, roast chicken, risotto and fresh Mediterranean dishes.

Soave

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.

Chenin Blanc

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.

Moscato

Moscato is a sweet, highly aromatic white wine most famously associated with Italy, packed with peach, apricot and citrus alongside orange blossom and honeysuckle. Often light in alcohol and sometimes gently sparkling, it’s brilliant with fruit desserts, cheesecake, spicy Asian food, fresh berries and creamy desserts.

Muscadet

Muscadet is a bone-dry, light-bodied white from the western Loire Valley in France, made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape. Expect lemon, green apple and subtle pear with a salty, mineral edge. Crisp, clean and made for seafood, it’s brilliant with oysters, mussels, prawns, crab, sushi and grilled fish.

Müller-Thurgau

Müller-Thurgau is a light, aromatic white grape best known from Germany, producing fresh wines that range from dry to slightly sweet. Expect green apple, pear and peach with citrus and delicate floral notes. Soft, easy-drinking and refreshing, it’s brilliant with grilled fish, prawns, roast chicken, salads, sushi and light Asian dishes.

Gavi

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.

Gamay

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.