bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

SPANISH REDS

Less than $100

Marques de Ballestar 1996,  $96

Put this in the 'can't go wrong' basket.  Made with a blend of garnacha (grenache)  and tempranillo,  it has  a soft  soothing taste. The big estate ferments  this wine in stainless-steel tanks  under controlled temperatures. Then the wine is aged in American and French oak. The result is a  pleasant wine at a fair price.   It goes well with  chicken grilled with honey and red capsicum.

Cellarmasters (tel: 2791 6332)

Less than $200

Guelbenzu 2001,  $118

In 1851, the Guelbenzu family took its wines to the First Universal Exposition in London. The British loved it and  still do.  But this delightful blend is  different  from the wines shown long ago on the Thames. The family left winemaking at about the time of the Spanish civil war and the estate was  replanted only  in the 1980s. The tradition remains, however, and the vines are grown at  altitudes from 400 metres to  600 metres. The vines struggle in the harsh climate - parched and blazing in summer, icy in winter.  This blend adds the strength of syrah to the soft plummy  merlot and the softness of Spain's landmark grape, tempranillo,  rounded out with cabernet sauvignon and garnacha. The result is a  pleasing red.

Watson's (tel: 2147 3641)

More than $200

Marques de Caceres 1995,  $218

This renowned label is  reliable and this bottle is no exception. If you want  the elegant flavour of aristocratic Spain at a fair price, you can do no better. Tempranillo is the proud signature grape of Spain and this version from the wine heartland of Rioja is a joy to drink. Like all tempranillo wines,  it has a wonderful soft lushness. Take a  sip and roll the wine around in your mouth to enjoy the extravagant flavours and character. There's a refreshing hint of crushed blackberries.  This  example is a reserva, which means the winemakers believe   1995 was exceptionally good.    Forget what the wine snobs say about temperature and  chill your tempranillo before opening.  Try this with  apple and goats' cheese.

Kedington (tel: 2898 9323)



Wine On