Spanish Reds

Though Spain offers a wealth of perfectly cellared reds, it also produces a superb range of fruit-driven reds in rich ‘drink now’ styles offering terrific value. There's certainly no lack of flavour, depth or even complexity to many of these beauties. You’ll find these beautiful bargains in regions such as Carineña, where mighty El Bombero is made, Jumilla, home of bestsellers El Campeador and Monasterio de Santa Cruz, and Valencia – home to both Palacio del Conde (see p8) and Hacienda de Lluna. Grapes – Garnacha, Monastrell, Tempranillo, even Merlot, and often blends of these – are usually grown on low-yielding old bush vines that greatly intensify flavours. Two here are multi-regional so simply classified Vino Tinto, including FIVE-time Gold-winning Monastrell-rich Camino de Seda. Quality is sensational throughout – value second to none.