Bottle Of The Week

Whether you're knocking it back with gusto in the Festival Supper Club after the show, or sipping it sedately by your own fireside…

Whether you're knocking it back with gusto in the Festival Supper Club after the show, or sipping it sedately by your own fireside, I hope you'll agree that Rioja Murice Crianza, Vina Ijalba, 1994/5 (Side Door restaurant, £17; widely available from independent off-licences, usually £7.99-£8.50), is a star performer. It's Rioja showing its approachable, modern face - all velvet and vanilla at first but packing plenty of punch in a warming, spicy finish. Even the tall, handsome bottle looks the part.