The Posada del Rey label is synonymous with quality wines that far exceed their humble table wine classification. This wine’s fresh, unoaked fruit (plums, redcurrants and cherries) comes down to a judicious blend of grapes from vineyards across northeast Spain. In our view, Posada del Rey offers a canny alternative to young Rioja. No wonder it has such a large following and is among our most notable bestsellers. Those who try it seem delighted with both quality and price – “stunning value” wrote one online customer. Pure Tempranillo, the prized grape of Rioja, it’s brimful with juicy plums, redcurrant and black cherries. Enjoy alongside tapas, garlic mushrooms, roasted vegetables with feta, or chicken. It’s great as a glass on its own, too.

In the most northwesterly corner of Rioja, the flatter land starts rising up into soaring mountains. It's here you'll find the start of the Rioja Alta vineyards – a fine enclave of Spain’s greatest region. There extra altitude freshens as well as ripens grapes slowly to full flavoured perfection. Since most Riojas blend grapes from across the region you almost never see Rioja Alta on labels. In fact, there are only two villages permitted to add it. In one you'll find Juan Antonio Leza’s family winery, the cellar behind Castillo de Epifania. Every grape comes from their sleepy Rioja Alta village. Full of silky dark fruit and strawberry, with a kiss of oak, this red has a delicious 'drink me' style, lovely on its own or with tasty tapas.

Pure Tempranillo Rioja Crianza with silky, bright berry fruits and lightly toasty oak notes, making a perfect match for tapas dishes, a rice pilaf or grilled meats. Rioja’s Luis Alegre bodega was founded in 1968, just west of the village of Laguardia. It now boasts 52 hectares of vineyards in some prime spots of Rioja Alavesa, many of those ancient bush vines. Planted largely on limestone soils on sites protected from the cold northerly winds by the Cantabrian mountains, the vines produce ripe, intensely flavoured grapes with great freshness. They also pride themselves on promoting biodiversity and sustainability, as you may guess when looking at the wine’s label. This is their fine Crianza from vines over 50 years old. All Tempranillo, the wine was aged for 14 months in a mix of French and American oak barrels.

Love red wines with easy fruit and elegance? This Joven (young) Rioja is a must-try. We’ve known the Bujanda family since 1984, when they completed their state-of-the-art winery. In fact, we were the first to introduce their wines to the UK. Four decades later, their cellar remains one of the finest in Europe, with a trophy cabinet full of awards and a top winemaker at the helm – Lauren Rosillo. This Joven is from the family’s beautiful Finca Valpiedra estate, whose vineyard is nestled in a bend of the Ebro river. Made entirely from estate-grown Tempranillo and aged for a year in bottle, it’s silky with bright strawberry and blackberry fruit. Smooth enough to sip solo, or pair with tapas, charcuterie or game.

A full-bodied red with rich blackberry and strawberry flavors balanced perfectly by oaky spice, Altos de la Guardia Tempranillo is a special release from Rioja—Spain’s premier wine region—and top boutique Altos de Rioja. Top in every sense of the word. Founded by Château Haut Brion-trained winemaker Jean-Marc Sauboua, and led today by head winemaker Amaia Amestoy, Altos is known for its quality-driven approach and has won literally hundreds of awards to prove it. Its vineyards are among the highest in the Rioja Alavesa appellation, between 1,900 and 2,300 feet above sea level. This is the winery's juicy-smooth flagship bottling. It's made of 100% Tempranillo from 60- to 80-year-old vines grown high in the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria mountains, where grapes enjoy ideal sun exposure and cool temperatures. From vineyard to cellar, the team’s high standards consistently pay off. Delicious on its own, you'll find it's also very versatile come dinner time. We love this Rioja with lamb, but its silky texture and easy-drinking appeal make it a great match for pork, beef, meaty fish and more.

Tempranillo blossoms in the Vale. Medium bodied style, approachable with attractive aromatics, dark cherries & spice, with hints of blackcurrant & blueberries and finishes with soft elegant tannins. Vegan friendly.McLaren Vale, “The Vale” is home to sustainable winegrowing in Australia with the highest number of certified organic and biodynamic vineyards in the country. David Paxton’s history of grape-growing in the Vale started in 1979 and today Paxton is a fully certified organic and biodynamic wine company who embrace sustainable practises in their vineyards and winery. Vale Organics honours McLaren Vale and the organic pioneers of this wonderfully innovative and sustainable wine growing region.

Some blends may not seem obvious, like Shiraz & Tempranillo - but they just work. With a mix of cherry & blueberry flavours, good oak & a savoury end these Sit Stay Society Tempranillo 375mL bottles will leave you wanting more.

Savour an elegant yet vibrant, silky, hand-crafted Tempranillo Graciano blend – with all the quality you'd expect from the brilliant Bryan Currie, and terrific quality grapes from cool-climate Hilltops, a region Bryan Currie knows extremely well.