CRISP WHITE

Refreshingly crisp and dry.

These wines go down easy as flavours are not overpowering. Typically there could be fruity notes of citrus, apple, pear, gooseberry. Sometimes gentle flowers and/or herbal "grassy" notes like bell pepper

Pairs well with salads, seafood, or chicken and chips from your favourite takeaway!

Examples are - Pinot Grigio, Gruner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (unoaked), Albarino, Verdejo, Vermintino

FRUITY WHITE

If you like your wine to be aromatic, then these wines are for you.

Usually dry but can taste a little more sweet due to the type of fruity flavours - often tropical fruits like passion fruit, mango, banana. Also stone fruit like apricot, peach or nectarine. Or very pronounced citrus, grapefruit, apple and/or perfumey flowers.

Goes well with asian food, roasted chicken, grilled seafood, creamy pasta or pungent cheese like Cashel Blue.

Examples include - Riesling, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, some Sauvignon Blanc (think New Zealand), Viognier, Alvarinho, 

RICH WHITE

These wines have a creamy or buttery texture and complex flavours including vanilla, brioche bun, honey and hazelnuts. This is often a result of the Winemakers choices, like oak aging or blending certain grapes together.

Pairs well with buttery sauces, smoked or oily fish (like salmon), crab, lobster, turkey, fatty meats, pasta and soft cheese. 

Examples include - Burgundy (or any oak aged) Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Viura (white Rioja), Semillon, Cotes-du-Rhone White (Marsanne, Rousanne) 

ROSÉ WINE

Paler salmon pink is very popular but try the darker ones too, they can be flavoursome.

The most common flavours are strawberry, raspberry, redcurrant but you can find blackberry and mineral notes too.  

Most are dry but some can be sweet (eg-white zinfandel). 

Goes with ethic foods like Mexican, Lebanese and Greek but also with roast pork or fried chicken. 

Rosé is made everywhere and can be made from a wide variety of grapes and is often blended like in Provence, South of France. 

LIGHT RED 

Light in colour, tannin and alcohol so goes down easy. Especially on a sunny day!

Not short on flavour though - strawberry, cherry, blueberry, flowers (like violets) and herbs.

Goes well with many foods including pizza, mushroom risotto, chicken and pork.

Pinot Noir from Burgundy and Gamay from Beaujolais are the most famous but check out reds under 12.5% like Bardolino from Italy or Blaufrankish from Austria.

MELLOW RED (medium body)

Smooth and flavoursome but not overpowering. Alcohol around 13-14%.

Flavours range from fruity to savoury depending on the grapes and oak aging. 

Great with tomato based dishes, beef, lamb, cheesy dishes and laughs with friends. 

Examples are - Merlot, Montepulciano, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese (Chianti), Grenache, Tempranillo

POWERFUL RED (full body)

Intense aromas and flavours including dark berries, vanilla, spices and savoury elements. Usually above 14% alcohol. Heart warming on a cold winters night.

Pairs well with roast beef, lamb, rich stews and casseroles. Also hard cheese like manchego, cheddar and parmesan. Avoid spicy dishes though.

Check out Malbec, Syrah/Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rioja, Zinfandel, Cotes-du-Rhone, Valpolicella Ripasso or Amarone

SWEET (red & white)

Dessert wines like Sauternes, Muscat Beaume de Venise, Ice Wine, Late Harvest Riesling or Hungarian Tokaj

Fortified wines like Port, Sherry, Madiera. 

Flavours of raisins, nuts, honey, peaches and cream.

Usually paired with or instead of dessert. Goes well with pungent cheese too.

BUBBLY

Yay, bubbles! Time to celebrate anything from a wedding to "that Friday feeling".

Flavours of apple, pear, vanilla, nuts, biscuit, the list is endless.

Great to kick off an evening or pair with salty foods, salads, oysters or even chocolate desserts and berries. 

Examples include - Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Cremant, Franciacorta, Lambrusco