Spain

For a generally hot country the wines you encounter across Spain are very diverse. Invariably generous in nature and easy to drink, such diversity is all the more remarkable if you consider that so many rely on the famous Tempranillo grape at their core. You will notice our range has been expanded recently with additions from Ribera del Duero and Navarra; the former producing full-bodied, deliciously dense wines (using the Tempranillo clone indigenous to the region) while for an alternative option we have brought in some Navarran wines that have a lighter feel, featuring a mix of French and Spanish grapes. You’ll also notice a couple of outstanding reds from Andalucía featuring the Bordeaux export Petit Verdot which does surprisingly well down here. Historically the use of oak has been very important: barrel ageing for one, two and three years is often the key to making Crianzas, Reservas and Gran Reservas respectively across the whole of Spain. Blending with other grapes like Garnacha, Mazuelo and Cabernet also helps, bringing a complexity that has driven Rioja in particular, to the fore. In the main, the Spanish winemaker wants to produce a warm, mellow glass of red wine with a rich slug of oak and a spicy finish. And don’t forget the whites! Some of the best are made from Verdejo in Rueda, Godello in Bierzo and glorious, peachy Albariño, the star of Rías Baixas in Galicia.