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Vina Arana Gran Reserva, La Rioja Alta

£37.95
La Rioja Alta is one of the great names in the world of wine, making truly magnificent wines. Vina Arana was always made as a Reserva, but from the 2012 vintage, they have extended the ageing to elevate it to Gran Reserva. The result is impressive – very smooth and complex; drinking well now but will improve for decades to come!

Vina Alberdi Reserva, La Rioja Alta

£24.95
La rioja Alta is one of Spain's most iconic producers, producing some of the country's best wines since 1890.The Vina Alberdi Reserva is perhaps their most accessible and immediately impressive wine and delivers that quitessential Rioja flavour profile in spades.Perfect with roast meats and strong hard cheeses, this is drinking well now but will continue to improve for at least a decade.

‘O Rosal’, Terras Gauda

£19.95
Terras Gauda was the first Galician winery to really make me think that World class wines could be produced here. Their vineyards are located in the subzone of O Rosal on the terraces that rise steeply above the river Miño which divides Spain from Portugal. This wine is a selective blend of the best Albariño grapes in the O Rosal subzone, mixed with the indigenous Loureira and Caiño Blanco, it is greenish-yellow, evoking white flowers and green plums on the nose and filling out on the palate with fresh grape and apple compote flavours as well as peach kernel. Edged with superb acidity and a bristling minerality this reminds me of a cross between really good Riesling and Premier Cru Chablis.The perfect wine for seafood, salads or simple fish dishes.

Rioja Crianza, Bodegas LAN

£14.95
Founded in 1972, Bodegas LAN lies in the heart of Rioja Alta. Though a relatively young Rioja house, Bodegas LAN has gained a reputation for the excellent quality of its wines. This quality is derived from the grapes they work with, grown in their spectacular Viña Lanciano vineyard and other prime vineyard sites in Rioja Alta and Alavesa, and from winemaker María Barúa’s great attention to detail in the winery.This benchmark Rioja Crianza bears all the hallmarks of María Barúa's winemaking skills. Fresh and well-balanced, with the fruit to the fore but a savoury spiciness evident from judicious use of oak.A classic that is great drinking on it's own, or is versatile enough to pair with all sorts of meaty dishes.

‘El Candado’ Pedro Ximenez Sherry, Valdespino

£13.95
Valdespino is one of the oldest bodegas in Jerez, with a history of Sherry production going back six centuries. Back in 1264, Alfonso Valdespino was one of 24 knights who fought against the Arabs for the city of Jerez with King Alfonso X. As a reward for his efforts he was given land that formed the basis of the bodega. Today Valdespino belongs to the Estevez family, who purchased the bodega in 1999.This delicious Pedro Ximenez has a liquid Christmas cake character, great depth and a lovely flick of acidity on the finish which serves to emphasise the unctuous sweetness and flavours of dried fig and raisins.Great poured over vanilla ice cream, with mince pies, hard or blue cheese, or just on it's own after a meal 

Verdejo, Duquesa de Valladolid, Rueda

£10.95

Duquesa de Valladolid is Bodegas LAN’s project in Rueda, the Spanish region which is currently in vogue for its crisp and aromatic white wines. Winemaker Olga Tormo is an expert in handling aromatic grape varieties and has used her winemaking know-how to elevate the bright tropical aromatics and subtle herbal notes of Verdejo to a new level.

The Verdejo grapes are grown in vineyards situated at 600 to 800 metres above sea level in the North of the Rueda appellation and benefit from a wide diurnal range, with warm days counteracted by cool nights. This slows the ripening and ensures that the grapes accumulate great aromatic flavour intensity while retaining a crisp and vibrant acidity. Harvesting at night and a cool ferment in stainless steel ensures that the freshness and aromatics of the grapes are preserved in the wine. Following fermentation, a brief period of ageing on the lees adds textural complexity. The result is a clean, crisp and bright wine, bursting with aromas of passionfruit, freshly cut grass, green apple, lemon, lime and pineapple.

Great value wine and a good all-rounder; perfect to have on hand when the sun shines or when friends pop round. Very good!