Gran Reserva: A total of 60 months, with minimum two years in barrel and two years in bottle. Rioja: Know your vintages To taste, Holly from our office said that this was a delicious, rich, full-bodied wine. It had a slight citrus taste that cuts through the intense stone fruit and buttery oak flavours.

A very difficult year, with April frosts that swept northern Europe, followed by drought. One of the earliest vintages on record. A complex year, with a cold, humid spring, then rain and hail in summer, with the risk of downy mildew and a long, late harvest. Needed much work in sorting and selection. Overall, wines with slightly lower alcohols.

Beronia Rioja Gran Reserva,14%: £21.50, Ocado

The Penasco Rioja Crianza 2018 is a symphony of flavours, showcasing the depth and richness of Spain’s wine craftsmanship. This blend, a product of the esteemed Rioja Alta region, is a fusion of Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes, each aged to perfection in oak barrels. Uncover the Intricacies of Rioja Red Wine Where they differ significantly is in blending. Traditionally Rioja has been more like Bordeaux, blending across the region, both varieties and vineyards. So while Tempranillo is king in Rioja, it is often blended with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. There are some distinguished single-varietal Garnachas and Gracianos, but they are rare indeed. Shift of emphasis

Penasco Rioja is a story of passion and heritage told through the medium of wine. Whether it's the robust 2015 vintage or the harmonious Crianza 2018, each bottle encapsulates a unique narrative from the vineyards of Spain's most celebrated wine region. Celebrate with Rioja Wine Gifts - The Perfect Pour for Every Occasion Rioja is the best-known wine region in Spain and is a successful, recognisable brand. What brands have is the comfort factor. The uncomfortable grit in the oyster is this: as consumers we demand ‘affordable wines’, but should the most famous wine region in Spain be selling itself cheap – and is it even sustainable? Welcome to Drinks House 247, where we celebrate the rich, full-bodied essence of Rioja red wine. Our selection, sourced from the prestigious vineyards of Spain's renowned wine region, is an ode to the time-honoured traditions of La Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. Penusco Rioja Gift Set - An Unforgettable Experience Crianza: Must be kept at least two years at the winery, with a minimum of one year in small oak barrels

The Best Marques de los Rios Rioja Reserva,13.5%: £6.75, Morrisons

Joven – literally translates as 'young'. This applies to the entry level bottles and often you’ll only see the words rioja on the label. Expect simple, inexpensive wines with little to no aging. Blason de Bourgogne Chablis La Reserve white wine is a smooth white wine with 12.5% volume. When we poured this wine we could smell lime and apple and to taste we could easily taste both of these, giving a crisp finish to it. One bottle of Milenrama Rosado, a rose wine from Rioja made from 75 year old vines. Milenrama Rosado has a very intense strawberry colour. On the nose it has high intensity notes of fresh peach and raspberry. On the palate, it is soft and silky with a fine sweet flavour at the end. Reserva’s are preferred by some to the older Gran Reserva’s because they’re not quite as rich, and the oak can be a little more restrained. If you’re looking to cellar age your wine than the Gran Reserva’s are your best bet thanks to the more structured tannins you’ll find. As ever it just comes down to personal preference.

We thought this wine was light and crispy and had a good sharp taste to it, we enjoyed this wine with a Carbonara pasta which really went well, the wine left a floral lemon taste to it which left a really nice, smooth after taste.mcpepper85 A favourite Great every day wine that also works for many different meals and cheese. A favourite in our house To taste it was full-bodied but not to heavy and left a smooth finish on the palette. This red wine would go perfectly with red meats such as beef or even with a bit of ham. Penasco Rioja wines, from their time-honoured process of ageing in oak barrels to their vibrant flavour profiles, are a testament to the winemaker's commitment to excellence. Whether it's the Crianza 2018 or the 2015 vintage, you're not just buying a bottle of wine - you're investing in a sensory experience that transcends the ordinary. Drinks House 247 - Your Destination for Premier Rioja Wines

If your looking for a few white wines to have at your table then Vermentino Di Sardegna of Italy is one of our favourites. If you having an alternative to turkey on Christmas day or having a pasta on Boxing Day – serve this wine. Reserva: Minimum one year in barrel then at least six months in bottle, to a total of at least three yearsHaving friends or family round to your house at Christmas? Can’t decide which wines to buy to suit everyone? We were kindly sent these to review. Take a look at our favourite wines below: The largest harvest since 2005. Good quality overall: well-balanced, approachable wines with good freshness. Some classic Riojas. Riesling from Aldi’s Exquiste Collection is a very dry white wine and is 11.5% volume. When pouring this white wine we could smell apple and grapefruit and when drinking this wine we could taste both of these giving it quite a sharp finish, although not overly sharp this is a nice wine. It’s a time of change for Spain’s most famous wine region, as a new focus on terroir and different winemaking practices open the door to new styles. Sarah Jane Evans MW assesses the impact…