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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Silvaner is a dry, light to medium-bodied white best known from Germany and Alsace in France. Expect green apple, pear and citrus with fresh herbs and a subtle mineral edge. Crisp, understated and brilliantly food-friendly, it’s a great match for asparagus, seafood, roast chicken, salads, pork and grilled vegetables.

Gutedel is a dry, light-bodied white best known from Germany and Switzerland, where it’s called Chasselas. Expect green apple, pear and lemon with delicate floral notes and a fresh mineral edge. Subtle, clean and easy-drinking, it’s brilliant with grilled fish, prawns, salads, roast chicken, asparagus and mild cheese.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Welschriesling is a fresh white grape grown across Austria and Central Europe, producing everything from crisp, dry wines to intensely sweet dessert styles. Expect green apple, lemon and pear with floral, herbal and mineral notes. Refreshing and versatile, it’s brilliant with seafood, salads, roast chicken, schnitzel, spicy Asian food and fruit desserts.

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.

Scheurebe is an aromatic white grape from Germany, producing wines from bone-dry to beautifully sweet. Expect grapefruit, blackcurrant, peach and tropical fruit with floral notes and lively acidity. Boldly aromatic and seriously refreshing, it’s brilliant with Thai curry, spicy noodles, sushi, seafood, salads and fruit-based desserts.

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.