A huge number of people enjoy a glass of wine when out with friends or when enjoying food, but a lot of people are confused when it comes to properly matching food and wine together. Although the whole thing is subjective, hence there’s no absolute right or wrong answers, there are a few general guidelines to which flavours will complement each other.

So to help out with that, here’s a quick reference guide to help you effectively match your food and wine. Starting with red wine, here’s the most popular red grapes and the foods they match well with:

Barbera
This is a popular Italian wine that fits wonderfully with lasagne, spag bol or anything with a tomato base.

Cabernet Sauvignon
A beautiful medium bodied grape that goes brilliantly with roasted meats such as beef or lamb.

Merlot
A great wine for a Sunday roast, merlots will go perfectly with duck, turkey or roast chicken.

Pinot Noir
Another one that’s perfect for Sunday dinners or for Christmas, a pinot noir will beautifully complement a roast turkey or roast lamb.

Syrah
Syrah’s are generally full bodies wines that are great during the winter. Sryah’s perfectly compliment grilled steak and fit nicely with most roasted vegetables.

So that should give you an idea of what grape varieties to go for the next time you’re planning on cooking. If you’re more of a fan of white wines, here’s a guide to help you know which varities to get when you’re looking to buy wine online or at the off-license for the next dinner party you’re hosting:

Chardonnay
These wines will go perfectly with fish such as salmon and will also act as a particularly good accompaniment to roast chicken or turkey

Sauvignon Blanc
One of the nicest French wines that fit perfectly with chees, particularly goat’s cheese and blue cheese.

Reisling
German reislings are ideal with curries, in particular Thai green curries and chicken kormas.