Andalucia Steve

I have to come clean here, I have no idea how much this bottle of wine cost. It was a gift from a friend who said she bought it locally but so far I've been unable to locate the source.

Well she knows a good drop and suggested I would like this - well she was not wrong. Though not strong on the nose, the flavours  engulfing your tongue on the first sip of this Rioja are like an avalanche of fruits of the forest. Name a berry and it's there. It is smooth and dark with a sort of chocolaty after-taste. Would definitely be a good partner for red meat and cheese, and have enough legs to accompany a really hot curry. At 14% it's not a wimp in the alcohol department.  I'm already a big fan -  I think I'll pour another glass!

This wine is one of my regular favourites. At 2.78 euros per bottle it is the bargain of the century if you like OAK AGED wine with a high tanin content.

This a great wine to have with spicy Mexican food like Burritos or a good hot Indian curry. This is because the flavour is very robust and fruity. It is a blend of Temperanillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo grapes and is blended in such a way is to mimic a gran reserva, though infact it is fermented in stainless steel and given 12 months in oak barrels, so it's pretty much on the way to being a reserva anyway.

Of all the cheap wines I've tried since coming to Spain, this one impresses most. You can get better if you go over the three euros mark but under three, this is the one for me.

Oh and in case your're wondering it has a real cork and the alcohol is a creditable 14%. The bodega name is Garcia Carrion.