The Spanish Snapshot

1. Abtole Rioja Reserva 2018

Abtole Winery is located in Spain's Rioja wine region and the team is renowned for its delicious and faithfully-styled range of wines. The winery benefits from the region's climate and soil, specialising in Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Mazuelo grapes for their reds, with a focus on Tempranillo Blanco for their whites. This is about as correct and as typical of a Rioja Reserva as you will try. It's brilliant, with lashings of black fruit density coupled with oak in equal measure. Unapologetically from Rioja, this is a wine that needs a good hour or two to open up but will reward patience with nothing short of a classic wine.

2. Bodegas Aessir 'La Crusset' Cava NV

Bodegas Aessir is all about crafting top-notch wines with a strong sense of place. Based in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Barcelona—Cava country—they kicked things off in 1929 by breathing new life into a historic cellar and focusing on native grape varieties. Their Cava Star La Crusset Brut Nature Reserva has racked up plenty of international praise, proving that they know their bubbles. This is a deliciously complex Cava with notes of honey and a lovely autolytic character. Expect subtle red fruit with notes of strawberries coming to the fore. There is also a lovely typicity here by way of hints of celery and grassy character.

3. Casa La Teja Verdejo 2024

Verdejo is the pride and joy of Rueda, in the northern part of Spain. Here it achieves its ultimate expression - nutty, rich and aromatic. It's a real chameleon of a grape, having some characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc (with both grapes grassy and high acidity), but also some richer, rounder tones. Look out for complex flavours of bay leaf, almond and lemon. This Verdejo is zesty and fresh, packed with top notes of prickly pears and orchard fruit. Ripe and floral with plenty of drinkability. Tart and fresh on the palate, this is vividly fruity, with plenty of energy.