Superb, 2016 Single Vineyard Reserva Rioja from top ranking Bodegas La Emperatriz, that first won prizes for its wines in 1878 when it belonged to Empress Eugénie of France. Today brothers Eduardo and Victor Hernáiz own the impressive estate, comprising 101 hectares of high-altitude vineyards in the Rioja Alta. Many of their wines have been awarded over 90 points by Wine Advocate. With extensive vineyards, they have the luxury of using only estate-grown grapes and make a range of top-ranking wines. Rarely, however, do they make a Gran Reserva purely from this single, north-facing vineyard lying at 630 metres. The result is very slow-ripening grapes and a wine with superb structure, depth and impressive complexity. Only now is it opening out, revealing all its rich flavour. Open early – great with lamb.

This delightful rosé exhibits a perfumed bouquet of assorted red fruits and aromatic red rose water. This upbeat nose shifts to a light and crunchy textured palate offering light red fruits. There is a lovely balancing tang to the wine.

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.

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.