Sauternes

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.

Roussanne

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

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.

Grenache Blanc

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.

Beaune

Beaune is an elegant, dry red from Burgundy, France, made from Pinot Noir. Expect plenty of cherry and raspberry, a little spice and earthiness, and a lighter style of red that works brilliantly with roast chicken, duck, pork, mushroom dishes and a classic Sunday roast.

Tokaji

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.

Bordeaux

Red Bordeaux is a dry, medium to full-bodied wine from southwestern France, usually blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Expect blackcurrant, plum and blackberry with cedar, herbs and savoury spice. Structured and complex, it’s brilliant with steak, roast beef, lamb, beef stew, mushroom dishes and mature cheese.

Chassagne-Montrachet

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.

Pouilly-Fuissé

Pouilly-Fuissé is a dry, medium to full-bodied white from southern Burgundy, France, made entirely from Chardonnay. Expect ripe apple, pear and citrus with stone fruit, nuts and a subtle mineral edge. Rich but fresh, it’s brilliant with lobster, prawns, grilled fish, roast chicken, creamy pasta, mushroom dishes and soft cheese.

Côte de Beaune

White Côte de Beaune is a dry, elegant Chardonnay from Burgundy, France, ranging from fresh and mineral to rich, creamy and complex. Expect apple, pear and citrus with white flowers, nuts and gentle spice. It’s brilliant with lobster, scallops, grilled fish, roast chicken, creamy pasta, mushroom dishes and soft cheese.

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.

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.

Burgundy

Red Burgundy is a dry, light to medium-bodied wine from Burgundy in eastern France, made primarily from Pinot Noir. Expect red cherry, raspberry and strawberry with gentle spice and earthy flavours. Elegant rather than heavy, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, duck, pork, salmon, mushroom dishes and truffle pasta.

Semillon

Sémillon is a versatile white grape best known from Bordeaux in France and Australia’s Hunter Valley, producing everything from crisp, dry whites to rich, honeyed dessert wines. Expect lemon, apple and pear with waxy, nutty and honeyed notes as it develops. It’s brilliant with seafood, roast chicken, creamy pasta, soft cheese and fruit desserts.

Chardonnay

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.

Saint-Aubin

White Saint-Aubin is a dry, elegant Chardonnay from Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune in France, with flavours of lemon, green apple and pear alongside white flowers and a fresh mineral edge. Refined but not overly rich, it’s brilliant with prawns, scallops, grilled fish, roast chicken, creamy pasta and mushroom dishes.

Grauburgunder

Grauburgunder is the German name for Pinot Gris, a dry, medium-bodied white with ripe pear, apple and peach alongside citrus, almonds and gentle spice. Usually richer and rounder than Pinot Grigio, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, grilled fish, creamy pasta, mushroom dishes and roasted vegetables.

Viognier

Viognier is a dry, aromatic white grape best known from France’s Rhône Valley, packed with peach, apricot and honeysuckle alongside citrus, spice and a rich, silky texture. Full-flavoured but beautifully fragrant, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, creamy pasta, prawns, Thai curry, grilled fish and aromatic Asian dishes.

Puligny-Montrachet

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.

Furmint

Furmint is a high-acid white grape best known from Hungary’s Tokaj region, producing everything from bone-dry whites to intensely sweet Tokaji. Expect green apple, pear and citrus with quince, herbs and a mineral edge, while sweeter styles bring apricot and honey. It’s brilliant with seafood, roast chicken, pork, spicy Asian food, blue cheese and fruit desserts.