Pinot Noir is a light to medium-bodied red grape known for red fruit flavours, high acidity and elegant texture. Most famous in Burgundy, it is also widely grown in Oregon, New Zealand and cool-climate regions around the world.
Beginner-friendly guides designed to help you understand wine with confidence.
Champagne is a cool-climate region in north-east France producing some of the world’s most famous bottle-fermented sparkling wines. But Champagne is not a single style—it’s a system built on three grapes, key styles and a patchwork of vineyard areas that each taste different.
The easiest way to pair wine with BBQ is to match the food’s character with the wine’s structure. Smoke → Syrah or Rioja; Lemon & herbs → Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño; Sweet BBQ → Zinfandel or Primitivo; Seafood & veg → crisp white or rosé; Dessert → lightly sweet wine
The best wine with cheese depends on the style of cheese, but Champagne, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are among the most versatile choices. Match the wine's body and acidity to the cheese's richness for the most balanced pairing.
There isn’t a single “best” wine with salmon, but Pinot Noir is often considered the most versatile overall choice thanks to its bright acidity, silky tannins and delicate red fruit. For sashimi, choose dry Riesling or Champagne. For grilled salmon, Chardonnay and Gamay are excellent alternatives.
A lightly oaked Chardonnay is one of the most reliable wines for roast chicken. Its fresh acidity, moderate body and subtle oak complement crispy skin and juicy meat without overpowering the dish. Pinot Noir and dry Chenin Blanc are excellent alternatives.
Germany's Mosel is renowned for steep slate vineyards producing elegant Riesling with vibrant acidity, citrus, stone fruit and remarkable ageing potential, ranging from bone dry to lusciously sweet.
Marlborough is New Zealand's largest and most internationally recognised wine region, located at the top of the South Island. It's famous for vibrant Sauvignon Blanc with citrus, passion fruit and fresh herb flavours, alongside excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Burgundy is an eastern French wine region famous for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Its wines range from crisp Chablis to complex reds and rich whites with flavours of citrus, orchard fruit, red berries and savoury earth.
Sangiovese is generally regarded as Italy's most widely planted red grape and is the foundation of wines such as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. It typically produces dry, medium-bodied wines with flavours of sour cherry, plum, dried herbs and spice.
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