Our Rioja red wine gift sets are not just gifts, but an immersive experience in the world of fine wine. Each bottle of Rioja red selected for our gift sets promises a sensory journey into the heart of Spain's beloved wine region. Penasco Rioja Crianza 2018 - A Harmony of Taste

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 WinesRioja 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.’ The largest harvest since 2005. Good quality overall: well-balanced, approachable wines with good freshness. Some classic Riojas. A very difficult year, with April frosts that swept northern Europe, followed by drought. One of the earliest vintages on record. Joven – literally translates as 'young'. This applies to the entry level bottles and often you’ll only see the words rioja on the label. Expect simple, inexpensive wines with little to no aging.

To taste it was full-bodied but not to heavy and left a smooth finish on the palette. This red wine would go perfectly with red meats such as beef or even with a bit of ham. 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? After this you’ll find Crianza and Reserva, finishing with the most mature Gran Reserva. Expect a bit more fruit forward flavours with a Crianza, and as you move up the spectrum you’ll tend to find more depth and oak-aging, however that’s not to say Gran Reserva styles are ‘best’. Crianza’s can make for excellent every day wines, as they are highly quaffable, fruity and generally accessibly priced. The last two decades have seen significant changes in winemaking, with producers moving away from regulation ageing in 225-litre barrels, usually American oak, to vats ranging from 300L to 2,000L (or more) and in many cases, French oak. For those who choose not to use the formal ageing categories and instead classify their wines as ‘genérico’ by vintage (from 2019 the new Genérico category will cover all wines with no specified ageing requirements and will also include what was formerly Joven, young unoaked wines), there is plenty of room to experiment, using not just large vats, but concrete of all shapes, or even clay amphorae. Gran Reserva: A total of 60 months, with minimum two years in barrel and two years in bottle. Rioja: Know your vintagesA short, early harvest with good concentration. This year was the first follow-on to the top-quality 2010, with any charming, pretty wines. Reserva’s are preferred by some to the older Gran Reserva’s because they’re not quite as rich, and the oak can be a little more restrained. If you’re looking to cellar age your wine than the Gran Reserva’s are your best bet thanks to the more structured tannins you’ll find. As ever it just comes down to personal preference. Blason de Bourgogne Chablis La Reserve white wine is a smooth white wine with 12.5% volume. When we poured this wine we could smell lime and apple and to taste we could easily taste both of these, giving a crisp finish to it. 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.

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. Penasco Rioja is a story of passion and heritage told through the medium of wine. Whether it's the robust 2015 vintage or the harmonious Crianza 2018, each bottle encapsulates a unique narrative from the vineyards of Spain's most celebrated wine region. Celebrate with Rioja Wine Gifts - The Perfect Pour for Every Occasion 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. 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. 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.

Viña Pomal Compromiso 2015, 14.5%: £29.28, Uvinum

Grapes: Red – Tempranillo (79.7% of total vineyard), Garnacha (6.9%), Graciano (2%), Mazuelo (1.9%), Maturana Tinta (0.3%)

If your looking for a few white wines to have at your table then Vermentino Di Sardegna of Italy is one of our favourites. If you having an alternative to turkey on Christmas day or having a pasta on Boxing Day – serve this wine. We felt this wine once chilled was best served with fish such as prawns so if your having prawns as a starter on Christmas day, this wine would go perfectly with them. 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!

Crianza: Must be kept at least two years at the winery, with a minimum of one year in small oak barrels Where they differ significantly is in blending. Traditionally Rioja has been more like Bordeaux, blending across the region, both varieties and vineyards. So while Tempranillo is king in Rioja, it is often blended with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. There are some distinguished single-varietal Garnachas and Gracianos, but they are rare indeed. Shift of emphasis 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: