WINE OF THE WEEK: Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2019, Rioja, Spain
Tasting this Rioja a couple of months ago reminded me just how consistently good some of the world’s most familiar wines are
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Dec 21, 2023
WINE OF THE WEEK: Contino Rioja Reserva 2018, Spain
£22–£26, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Morrison, North & South Wines and other independents If you haven’t got your red wine for the...
Jul 19, 2023
Prime Time for Pink: Rosés for Summer 2023
Update, August 3 I've just added two more southern French rosés: Alaina, which is new to me, although its producer, Laurent Miquel,...
Apr 6, 2023
WINE OF THE WEEK: Beronia Rioja Crianza Tempranillo 2019, Rioja, Spain
£10.99–£12, Majestic, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Amazon, Ocado It’s more than six years since I last recommended a Beronia Rioja here, so...
Aug 18, 2022
WINE OF THE WEEK: Ramón Bilbao Límite Sur Garnacha 2017, Rioja, Spain
£19.95, The Great Wine Co This is a wonderful new take on red Rioja: all energy, intensity, airiness and silky texture carried in an...
Dec 2, 2021
WINE OF THE WEEK: Definition Viña Majestica Rioja Blanco 2020, Spain
£8.99, Majestic Getting the balance right between oak and fruit in barrel-fermented white Rioja has eluded many a bodega over the years,...
Dec 4, 2020
The Festive Red Wine Guide 2020
However different this Christmas turns out to be, wine is going to be at least as vital as usual. Here then is my round-up of red wines...
May 7, 2020
WINE OF THE WEEK: El Viaje de Ramón Garnacha Rosé 2019, Rioja, Spain
£7 (on offer), Co-op A pale, dry, easygoing rosé that should be a dream for anyone who loves both Provence rosé and Rioja. It's light on...
Dec 12, 2019
WINE OF THE WEEK: The Best Marqués De Los Rios Rioja Blanco Reserva 2015, Spain
£13, Morrisons Made for Morrisons' The Best range by Baron de Ley, one of Rioja's commendable, big players, this combines the best of...
Dec 2, 2019
The Festive Red Wine Guide 2019
My round up of red wines to take you through all kinds of festivities - major, minor and in some cases festivities for years to come....
Aug 13, 2019
A Rioja legend in its own lifetime: Roda's 30th anniversary tasting
Clams and Galician blond breed beef (Rubia gallega) at Asador Etxebarri, where everything is grilled over wood fires, using different...
Nov 29, 2018
WINE OF THE WEEK: Ramón Bilbao Rioja Edición Limitada 2015, Rioja, Spain
£12.95, Great Western Wine There are some Riojas that wouldn't be up to Christmas lunch, but this has what it takes – and not only to...
Sep 27, 2018
WINE OF THE WEEK: Sierra de Toloño Rioja Alavesa 2016, Rioja, Spain
£14.95/£13.50, Lea & Sandeman At the annual tasting last week of The Bunch group of six independent wine merchants, of which Lea &...
Jul 19, 2018
WINE OF THE WEEK: La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Rioja Reserva 2009, Rioja, Spain
£25–£29, Laithwaites, Swig, Armit Vina Ardanza is one of the true classics of Rioja. It's been around for 76 years and each vintage has...
May 3, 2018
WINE OF THE WEEK: Taste the Difference CVNE Rioja Gran Reserva 2011, Rioja, Spain
£12 (on offer), Sainsbury's Textbook Gran Reserva from CVNE, one of Rioja's most admired bodegas. Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España...
Nov 30, 2017
WINE OF THE WEEK: *finest Viña del Cura Rioja Gran Reserva 2011, Rioja, Spain
£11, Tesco (25% off when you buy 6: £49.50) Wire-wrapped bottles divide Spanish red wine drinkers into those who run a mile and those for...
Nov 23, 2017
WINE OF THE WEEK: Luis Cañas Rioja Blanco Fermentado En Barrica 2016, Rioja, Spain
£12.50, Hennings Wine A vibrant, butter-smooth white Rioja that combines the best of tradition with a new-wave contemporary feel, from a...
Jan 19, 2017
WINE OF THE WEEK: Rioja Vega Crianza Edición Limitada 2013, Rioja, Spain
£12.95, FromVineyardsDirect This week’s wine is a comforting, oak-matured red for wintery weather and warming food. It’s a limited...
Nov 24, 2016
WINE OF THE WEEK: Viñas de Gain Artadi Rioja Blanco 2010, Rioja, Spain
£17.95, Jeroboams I’m always surprised how many Rioja drinkers – and there are a lot in Britain – only ever drink red Rioja. Far less...
Sep 8, 2016
WINE OF THE WEEK: Beronia Rioja Reserva 2011, Spain
£9.99, Waitrose until 20 September (then £13.49); £9.99 for 6 bottles, Majestic; £14, Tesco and Ocado The winemaker of this multi...
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