Whites

Most white wines appear similar, ranging in colour from pale lemon to deep gold. However, a sniff and a taste reveal a range of flavours.

Sparkling

The British novelist and playwright John Mortimer famously said of champagne, 'I drink it every morning, and that is the secret of a long life,' shortly before his death in 2009 at the age of 85.

For most of us, the fizzy stuff is reserved for celebrations. It is restrained on the nose and those from the New World tend to be fruitier and fuller bodied.

Varieties to try

Cava from Spain

Prosecco from Italy