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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Grüner Veltliner is a dry, crisp white from Austria, known for green apple, lemon and lime alongside herbs and its signature white-pepper kick. Fresh, zesty and brilliantly food-friendly, it’s a great match for seafood, sushi, roast chicken, salads, asparagus, spicy Asian dishes and grilled vegetables.

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.

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.

Garnacha is a dry, medium to full-bodied red grape from Spain, packed with ripe strawberry, raspberry and cherry alongside herbs, pepper and warming spice. Juicy, generous and made for big flavours, it’s brilliant with roast lamb, chorizo, BBQ food, pizza, sausages, tapas and Mediterranean dishes.

Garnacha Rosado is a dry, fruity rosé from Spain, made from the Garnacha grape. Expect strawberry, raspberry and watermelon with citrus, herbs and a touch of spice. Fresh but fuller-flavoured than many pale rosés, it’s brilliant with tapas, prawns, grilled chicken, paella, pizza, salads and Mediterranean dishes.

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

Dolcetto is a dry, medium-bodied red from Piedmont in northern Italy, packed with black cherry, plum and blackberry alongside violet, herbs and a distinctive almond note. Fruity, soft and made for drinking young, it’s brilliant with pizza, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, sausages, charcuterie and mushroom dishes.

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.

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.

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.

Côtes du Rhône is a dry, medium to full-bodied wine from France’s Rhône Valley, with the reds usually built around Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Expect ripe cherry, blackberry and plum with pepper, herbs and warming spice. Rich but easy-going, it’s brilliant with roast lamb, sausages, burgers, BBQ food, pizza and slow-cooked meat.

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.

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.