"Northern Spain is a wonderful area to visit - full of history and a wine-making tradition going back hundreds of years. A wine club visit there a few years ago really made me appreciate what the area has to offer.
There are lots of innovative, passionate young wine makers putting a modern twist to centuries of tradition. One of my favourites is the Remelluri Rioja Reserva, an estate that has been making wine since the 16th century. The wine is made from the Tempranillo grape, which gives ripe strawberry fruit. Most Rioja is aged in American oak, which gives the wine coconut/vanilla tones. The Remelluri is aged in the tighter-grained and more expensive French oak, which gives much more restrained oak character. It is a very smooth concentrated and balanced wine.
For people who love New World wine, Spain can offer all that sunny ripe fruit, with added character and complexity. I always find it a good value, crowd-pleasing bet on restaurant wine lists. For a special treat, Chapter One restaurant has a particularly well-chosen Spanish section and advice is always on hand.
Because Rioja has already undergone its ageing process in the winery, it is always ready for drinking on release. As most wine is drunk within hours of purchase, this is an added plus.
An inexpensive alternative to the Remulleri for everyday drinking is the Vina Albali Gran Reserva from Superquinn, costing £8.99.
I tend to buy wine by the case (fear of running out and better value) mainly from the Wicklow Wine Company, Approach Trade and Burgundy Direct. Most people I have met in the wine business are there because of their passion and love of wine. I have yet to meet a very wealthy one. Ask their advice - they will enjoy giving it."
Rioja Reserva 2003 Remulleri 13% €24.95 - Stockists: Mitchell & Son, Rathfarnham, Egan's Too, Liscannor, Co. Clare; Unwined, Swords, Co. Dublin; Redmonds of Ranelagh, Dublin 6; On the Grapevine, Dalkey & Booterstown; Micheal's Wines, Mount Merrion; 64 Wine, Glasthule.