The Manzanos family have over 125 years of history as grape growers, and just in 2002 completed a state of the art winery. This bodega lies in Rioja Alavesa, where the rivers Ebro and Ega join, which affords beautiful views over the landscape. The early death of their father saw the fifth generation, Victor and David Manzanos (still only in their 20s), take up the reins, and judging by recent reviews they are doing an excellent job.

The grapes for this Reserva – Tempranillo with a high proportion of Graciano and Garnacha – all come from high vineyards, at least 40 years old. Even then, only the very best go into the wine. Ageing in small barriques for two years and the rest in bottle has added layers of complexity that will slowly unfurl.

When Belgian entrepreneurs Christopher Heirwegh and Christel Weemaes moved to Barcelona over a decade ago, they had one simple dream: to grow, harvest and bottle the best organic cava in the world! Together, with winemaker Joan Soler, they select growers whose vineyards are high in the mountains close to the winery. There the grapes capture a pure expression of Spain’s Catalunya region.

This Brut Reserva is made using the same classic method as Champagne, with the secondary fermentation in bottle, ensuring a creamy mousse and lovely toasty flavours. It's made from the region’s local grapes, Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada to provide bright lemon and peach notes with classic brioche length, all aged 15 months in bottle. A classy fizz.

The family founded the property as far back as 1637, and have now been making wine for over 40 years. Unusually these days, they make their fizz by the same method as Champagne, with the second fermentation in bottle, and turn each bottle by hand. The wine is then aged for nearly two years on lees (the spent yeasts that created the fizz during the fermentation in bottle) to ensure rich complexity and full body. It’s organic, too! With ripe apple and peach notes and complex toasty length, it makes a very fine apéritif with toasted salted almonds, jamón iberico, olives and other tapas.

When Señor Andrés Ruberte began making wine from the gnarled old vines of his small estate, the rest of the region was, for the most part, supplying wine in bulk. Theirs was used to add body, depth and colour to lighter reds of France and Spain. However, Andrés had an unshakeable belief in the potential of his wines and decided to set out on his own. This pioneering spirit paid off.

Today Campo de Borja is considered one of Spain's most highly prized regions. And the winery that started with Andrés continues to thrive. Indeed husband and wife team, Miguel and Susana, are local heroes. Regularly picking up awards for their old vine Garnachas. Perla Rosado is their quintessential summer rosé. Full of delicate flavours and subtle elegance.