Spain
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Although Rioja continues to be Spain's best known region, there is a
whole myriad of impressive wines coming from lesser known areas,
such as Rueda, Navarra and Almansa. Investments in cold fermentation
techniques and changes in vineyard management have allowed real
quality white wines to be produced from traditional Spanish grape
varieties, in fresh zippy styles and without overbearing oak. Navarra, the region adjoining Rioja, can offer terrifically powerful wines in the Rioja style or from international varietals, without the price tag of its more illustrious neighbour. Bodegas Ochoa, Navarra Bodegas Ochoa have 143 hectares of vineyards. The oldest vines are to be found beside the new winery in Olite. Made by Javier Ochoa, the Ochoa Gran Reserva is a blend of 55% Tempranillo, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, oak aged for 2 years The wine is elegant with a mulberry/prune nose, hints of cassis, and well integrated fruit and vanilla on the palate. |  |
White
| Price | ||
| 2006 Marques de Caceres Rioja Blanco | £6.60 | |
| Low temperature fermentation conserves the juicy fruit of the Viura grape; and without using wood, the purity and freshness is preserved. This wine is fragrant with good fruit concentration. | Qty | |
| 2005 Senorio De Albar Verdejo | £9.10 | |
| Clean, fresh with citrus notes and a long finish. This is an attractive alternative to Sauvignon Blanc. A mix of the typical Sauvignon asparagus/gooseberry nose, and intense fresh citrus/peach flavours on the palate from the Verdejo. good structure with a long fruity finish. | Qty | |
Red
| Price | ||
| 2005 Castillo de Almansa Colección Red | £6.30 | |
| Deep, intense and seductive nose with plums, red peppers and herbal character. Rich, velvety softness and black pepper fill the palate that balance well with the tannins leaving an enduring, delicious and lengthly aftertaste. | Qty | |
| 2003 Marius Reserva, Bodegas Piqueras | £6.90 | |
| Made from 70% Tempranillo and 25% Monastrell. Matured for 12 months in American oak casks and 10 months in bottle. A rich, velvety wine with mellow damson plum and blackcurrant fruit overlaid with vanilla oak. | Qty | |
| 2006 Arjona Rioja Sin Crianza, Bodegas Navajas | £7.00 | |
| A good example of a young fruit driven Rioja. | Qty | |
| 2005 Ochoa Tempranillo/Garnacha | £8.00 | |
| A fresh full-bodied wine bursting with juicy currant fruit. | Qty | |
| 2004 Bodegas Araco Crianza, Rioja Alvesa, Laguardia | £8.40 | |
| Dark cherry in colour, aromatic, fresh strawberry, raspberry fruits harmoniously blended with hints of spices and noble wood on the nose. Rounded and very smooth, rich, beefy, full of ripe juicy raspberry fruit and herbs well integrated with toasted vanilla undertones, elegant structure, soft tannins with a persistent, long finish. A good value wine of personality, grace and elegance. | Qty | |
| 2004 Marques de Caceres Rioja Tinto | £8.60 | |
| Made from 85% Tempranillo and 15% Garnacha. Fermented in stainless steel then aged in oak for 16 months and in bottle for 14 months. Perfumed notes of cherry and vanilla with balanced oak and fruit flavours, and hints of spice on the finish. | Qty | |
| 2004 Gustales Crianza, Rioja Crianza | £8.90 | |
| A blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Garnacha, aged in American oak for 18 months. Ripe berry fruit with warm vanilla on the palate. | Qty | |
| 2003 Ochoa Tempranillo | £10.80 | |
| 100 % Tempranillo with 6 months in new American oak. Finely balanced berry fruit with hints of smoke and spice. | Qty | |
| 2002 Bodegas del Medievo Rioja Reserva, Aldeanueva de Ebro | £12.50 | |
| Intense, black cherry colour. Aromatic, complex aromas of ripe berries, herbs, leather and toasted vanilla tones achieved by the high quality oak used in the ageing process. Rich, rounded, dominant fresh, intense berry fruit with cedarwood and mineral, herbal, chocolate undertones, full flavoured and elegant with big structure, all finely balanced due to its well polished silky tannins ending with a generous and long finish. | Qty | |
| 2001 Marques de Cáceres, Rioja Reserva | £14.00 | |
| An intense, spicy bouquet of red fruits precedes a concentrated palate of plum and blackcurrant with toasted vanilla notes. | Qty | |
| 1998 Ochoa Gran Reserva | £16.80 | |
| Only made in the finest vintages from the best parcels of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Aged in American oak and then in bottle. Ripe cherry and plum flavours with black olives and liquorice. Firm tannins give structure while the wine remains balanced. | Qty | |
| 1996 Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja | £24.90 | |
| An elegant wine with rich complex aromas and the finesse that we look for from a fine mature Rioja. Matured for three years in cask and three in bottle. For the genuine Rioja enthusiast. | Qty | |
| 2000 Miguel Merino Rioja Reserva | £26.50 | |
| "Wines such as&Miguel Merino&have taken Rioja to a new level." Tim Atkins, Harpers Nov 2000. A wonderful wine with toasty, vanilla oak on the nose followed by rich concentrated layers of mulberry and damson fruit on the palate. Can be laid down, but gorgeous now. | Qty | |
| 1998 Ochoa Gran Reserva - MAGNUM | £36.30 | |
| Only made in the finest vintages from the best parcels of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Aged in American oak and then in bottle. Ripe cherry and plum flavours with black olives and liquorice. Firm tannins give structure while the wine remains balanced. | Qty | |
| 1998 Ochoa Gran Reserva - JEROBOAM | £85.70 | |
| Only made in the finest vintages from the best parcels of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Aged in American oak and then in bottle. Ripe cherry and plum flavours with black olives and liquorice. Firm tannins give structure while the wine remains balanced. | Qty | |
Rosé
| Price | ||
| 2006 Marques de Cáceres Rosado | £6.90 | |
| Delicious flavours of raspberries and strawberries with refreshing, crisp, dry finish. | Qty | |
| 2006 Ochoa Garnacha Rosado, Navarra | £8.00 | |
| Made from 100% Garnacha (also called Grenache in France), this is a fresh, dry yet fruity rosado. | Qty | |
Dessert
| Price | ||
| 2006 Ochoa Vina Dulce de Moscatel | £12.40 | |
| Pale in colour with lovely floral overtones and a light delicate finish. Not overly sweet. | Qty | |
If you like these you may want to try a glass of Sherry or Port ...the 'perfect aperitife'.
