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.

Barbaresco

Barbaresco is a dry, full-bodied red from Piedmont in northern Italy, made entirely from Nebbiolo. Expect red cherry and raspberry with rose, spice, earth and savoury flavours, backed by high acidity and noticeable tannins. It’s brilliant with roast beef, steak, lamb, beef ragù, mushroom risotto, truffle pasta and mature cheese.

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.

Nero d'Avola

Nero d'Avola is a bold, dry red from Sicily, Italy, packed with black cherry, plum and blackberry alongside herbs, spice and a touch of liquorice. Rich, smooth and sun-soaked, it’s brilliant with pizza, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, steak, lamb, sausages and rich tomato-based 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.

Bandol

Bandol is a bold, dry red from Provence in southern France, made mainly from Mourvèdre. Expect blackberry, black cherry and plum with herbs, black pepper and savoury spice, backed by plenty of structure. Rich and powerful, it’s brilliant with steak, roast lamb, beef stew, BBQ ribs, grilled meat and slow-cooked dishes.

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.

Beerenauslese

Beerenauslese is a rich, sweet wine style from Germany and Austria, made from individually selected, very ripe grapes, often affected by noble rot. Expect apricot, peach and citrus with honey, tropical fruit and spice, balanced by refreshing acidity. It’s brilliant with blue cheese, crème brûlée, cheesecake, fruit tarts and peach or apricot desserts.

Mencía

Mencía is a dry, medium-bodied red from northwestern Spain, best known from Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra. Expect juicy red cherry, raspberry and blackberry with violet, herbs, pepper and a distinctive mineral edge. Fresh rather than heavy, it’s brilliant with roast pork, chicken, lamb, charcuterie, mushroom dishes and tomato-based pasta.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella is a rich, powerful and dry red from Veneto in northern Italy, made from partially dried grapes including Corvina and Corvinone. Expect black cherry, plum and dried fruit with chocolate, spice and tobacco. Full-bodied and warming, it’s brilliant with roast beef, steak, slow-cooked meat, lamb, mushroom dishes and mature cheese.

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.

Ripasso della Valpolicella

Ripasso della Valpolicella is a rich, dry red from Veneto in northern Italy, usually made from Corvina alongside other local grapes. Expect ripe cherry, plum and blackberry with warming spice, dried fruit and a touch of chocolate. Fuller than classic Valpolicella but not as intense as Amarone, it’s brilliant with lasagne, beef ragù, roast beef, lamb, sausages and rich tomato-based pasta.

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.

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.