Airén, done well, is fantastic. It thrives in the hot climate that Alicante offers and delivers here a lovely white wine with notes of pear fruit, hemmed in by plenty of citrus character. In this blend, Macabeo is the dominant variety, which adds a nice array of citrus zest and melon notes to round out the wine.

Origin: Penedès in south-eastern Spain. Mainly Grown In: Rioja in Spain or Roussillon in France (known as Macabeo!) Key Facts: Viura in Rioja, Macabeo in France and the rest of Spain, wherever you find it, you can be sure it's going to be a winner. Somewhat under-appreciated (like Molly Weasley), it just needs the right light to shine. In the north of Spain it is responsible for some very age-worthy whites, often aged in wood, and always with a floral/nutty edge to them. In the south of France it is often blended with Grenache Blanc to make powerful, rich styles, again with that nutty edge. The wines live for a long time, changing in bottle, from fresh and floral to richer and with almond/honey notes. A real charmer, Viura is a grape to watch out for. Fun Fact: A well-travelled grape, Viura is found in a few regions of France as well as Spain.