Having friends or family round to your house at Christmas? Can’t decide which wines to buy to suit everyone? We were kindly sent these to review. Take a look at our favourite wines below: Rioja is the best-known wine region in Spain and is a successful, recognisable brand. What brands have is the comfort factor. The uncomfortable grit in the oyster is this: as consumers we demand ‘affordable wines’, but should the most famous wine region in Spain be selling itself cheap – and is it even sustainable? We thought this wine was light and crispy and had a good sharp taste to it, we enjoyed this wine with a Carbonara pasta which really went well, the wine left a floral lemon taste to it which left a really nice, smooth after taste. Looking for a wine gift? Look no further, the Rioja Wine Gift Box by Basco is the perfect wine present for any wine lover out there! One bottle of Milenrama Blanco, a white rioja of straw yellow colour made from 20 year old vines. It has a high intensity bouquet of tropical fruits mixed with notes of hazelnut. On the palate, it is soft and silky with a fine sweet flavour at the end.

Riesling from Aldi’s Exquiste Collection is a very dry white wine and is 11.5% volume. When pouring this white wine we could smell apple and grapefruit and when drinking this wine we could taste both of these giving it quite a sharp finish, although not overly sharp this is a nice wine. To taste, Holly from our office said that this was a delicious, rich, full-bodied wine. It had a slight citrus taste that cuts through the intense stone fruit and buttery oak flavours. Penasco Rioja wines, from their time-honoured process of ageing in oak barrels to their vibrant flavour profiles, are a testament to the winemaker's commitment to excellence. Whether it's the Crianza 2018 or the 2015 vintage, you're not just buying a bottle of wine - you're investing in a sensory experience that transcends the ordinary. Drinks House 247 - Your Destination for Premier Rioja WinesGran Reserva: A total of 60 months, with minimum two years in barrel and two years in bottle. Rioja: Know your vintages Brand Rioja is subtly moving – changing its identity a little bit,’ said Field. ‘There were some classic, traditional Riojas that did well in this tasting. But I think Rioja is at a crossroads, because it’s trying to move away from the way it has traditionally been defined, by age, into trying more and more to define itself by place. And therefore, the question is: is there a definitive Rioja style?’ That question is not an easy one to answer at the moment. However the judges were encouraged rather than deterred by evidence of this tasting. Rioja producers should be applauded because this is a region that has the weight of heritage, legacy and history on it,’ commented Mansour. ‘And yet, what we saw were some really incredibly interesting and innovative approaches to making wine, whether it’s to reflect the vineyard or the winemaking.’

Crianza: Must be kept at least two years at the winery, with a minimum of one year in small oak barrels

A complex year, with a cold, humid spring, then rain and hail in summer, with the risk of downy mildew and a long, late harvest. Needed much work in sorting and selection. Overall, wines with slightly lower alcohols.

The Penasco Rioja Crianza 2018 is a symphony of flavours, showcasing the depth and richness of Spain’s wine craftsmanship. This blend, a product of the esteemed Rioja Alta region, is a fusion of Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes, each aged to perfection in oak barrels. Uncover the Intricacies of Rioja Red WineReserva: Minimum one year in barrel then at least six months in bottle, to a total of at least three years