When it comes to food and wine pairings, vegetables often get a raw deal.

But when do we lavish such attention on our vino and veggie pairings? With plant-based eating now so much higher on the agenda, vegetables are no longer just a side-note or afterthought – they’re often star of the show.

Where to start? If you match like with like – think wines and local foods from the same region, or seasoning your vegetable dishes with similar spices and herbs to those in your glass, with a little trial and error, the veggie box can offer rich pickings.

Sainsbury’s Fairtrade Shiraz SO Organic 2018, Western Cape, South Africa (£6.50, Sainsbury’s)

At its best, shiraz signals plums, blackcurrants, earthy fruit flavours and a twist of black pepper. Think vegetarian quiche – crisp golden pastry, eggs, cheese, broccoli, courgettes, herbs and peppers – and this ripe red with its fruity core, hints of spicy black pepper and smooth tannins has enough stuffing to marry well with the taste and texture of the tart.

Morrisons The Best Negroamaro 2018, Puglia, Italy (£7.25, Morrisons)

Generally speaking, a food friendly Chianti mimics the flavours of tomato sauces and pasta bakes, with its soft fruitiness and herbal notes. But if you want to kick it up a notch and highlight the sweetness in this lip-smacking negroamaro, with its sun-soaked black fruits and good acidity, this wine is a natural bedfellow with sweet red peppers in a vegetable lasagne, and its rich, fruitiness blooms with a tray of caramelised roasted veggies.

Co-op Irresistible Marlborough Pinot Grigio 2018, New Zealand (£7.50, Co-op stores)

This perennial favourite is a really good pinot grigio with plenty of freshness. In contrast to some bland, neutral pinot grigio, there’s a lovely floral intensity with hints of pear drops here, and full flavours of stone fruits and lychee with brisk acidity. This all makes it a delicious match with stir-fries featuring pak choi with a light soy sauce, or vegetable based risottos with asparagus coming into season.