By the time you are reading this the clocks will have gone back and winter will truly have arrived.

What I hadn’t planned for was that we would be on the brink of another national lock-down!

But fret not as ever we have been beavering away looking at wines for you to enjoy over the coming weeks. To be enjoyed with company or a small glass alone by the fire with a good book or film.

Whilst we have had a hugely successful month focusing on wines from the region of Rioja; we must not forget that there are a number of other regions throughout Spain that make some exceptional wines. A few to highlight here are is the long-awaited return of the Mimic Shiraz, Jumilla (£10.95).

This is a lovely wine that offers great value, a region located in South-East of Spain, which has huge variances in temperatures from summer to winter, renowned for the Monastrell/Mourvedre grape variety, but here the focus is on high altitude Shiraz. Good dark fruits and a touch of spice but with balanced alcohol and ripe tannins. A new wine for us from the Cave Co-operative Pequeras further down the coast in the region of Almansa is Piqueras Organic Garnacha Tintorerra (£11.95).

Piqueras use only sustainable energy thanks to the installation of solar panels on their warehouse roof; All Piqueras grapes have been produced organically for several years now and they have the certificate to bottle and label all their wines as organic to justify this.  This wine, is Rich, full-bodied, deep purple in colour, extensive ripe dark fruit and wild fresh herbs, smooth juicy tannins and good levels of natural acidity combine to offer a wine full of flavour.

Another Garnacha (Grenache Noir) that has some Syrah & Tempranillo in the blend is Borsao Seleccion Tinto from the northern region of Campo do Borja. This has been a firm favourite of ours over the years but has become even more so as it’s on offer (!).  Sourced from selected 15 to 30-year-old vines grown in low yielding hillside vineyards around 600m above sea level. (22-24º C) in stainless steel with 10-15 days maceration.

Rich, plum and red berry fruit with a touch of spice on the nose. Balanced yet concentrated red fruit mingles with darker spice and chocolate characters to give weight and layers to the palate. £9.95 now on offer £8.95 a bottle or for unsplit cases £7.95 a bottle!

Stay safe and well, and we are here to serve you, our local community near and far!