Garganega

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

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.

Viura

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.

Dolcetto

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.

Montepulciano

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.

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 Rosé

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.

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.

Moscato d’Asti

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

Côtes du Rhône

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

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.

Pinot Meunier

Pinot Meunier is a light to medium-bodied red grape from France, best known as one of the key grapes used in Champagne. When made as a still red, expect juicy cherry, raspberry and strawberry with floral, herbal and gently earthy flavours. Fresh and soft, it’s brilliant with roast chicken, pork, duck, salmon, charcuterie and mushroom dishes.

Meritage

Meritage is a dry, full-bodied Bordeaux-style blend from the United States, usually led by grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Expect blackberry, blackcurrant and plum with cedar, spice and smooth oak flavours. Rich and structured, it’s a natural match for steak, roast beef, burgers, lamb, BBQ food and slow-cooked meat.

Verdejo

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

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.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel is a bold, dry red best known from California in the United States, packed with ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum alongside pepper, spice and often a touch of vanilla. Full-bodied, fruity and usually generous in alcohol, it’s brilliant with BBQ ribs, burgers, pulled pork, steak, pizza and rich tomato-based pasta.

Prosecco

Prosecco is a fresh, sparkling white from northeastern Italy, made mainly from the Glera grape. Expect green apple, pear and citrus with white flowers and peach, wrapped in lively bubbles. Light, fruity and incredibly easy to drink, it’s brilliant with canapés, prosciutto, prawns, sushi, pizza, light pasta and brunch dishes.

Scheurebe

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.

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.

White Zinfandel

White Zinfandel is a sweet to off-dry rosé from California, made from the red Zinfandel grape. Expect strawberry, raspberry and watermelon with peach and citrus, all wrapped up in a light, easy-drinking style. Fruity and refreshing, it’s brilliant with spicy Asian food, BBQ chicken, salads, fruit dishes and creamy cheeses.