Peter Morrell tastes two wines from Spain to brighten up a dreary January

I have been tasting a couple of wines to bring a little sunshine into this gloomy time of year. Two that have ignited thoughts of warm weather to come are from Viña Real. The Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE), launched the Viña Real brand in the 1920s becoming one of the pioneering wineries in making crianza wines in oak barrels in this area. A careful balance between tradition and modernity has defined the form and content of Viña Real.

The first wine was the Viña Real Crianza 2013 Rioja. It is dominated (90%) by the Tempranillo grape. In classic Rioja style there were strong cherry and soft fruit aromas in the bouquet. On the palate there was an abundance of vanilla and other spices with plummy notes and the well balanced tannins gave it smoothness and structure. The finish was persistent with lots of fruit.

Drink this with roast red meat, hearty casseroles and pair it with cheeses like Stilton and Camembert.

Available from Fortnum & Mason, D Byrne & Co, Cheers Wine Merchant, Hailsham Cellars and Hot Corks with an RRP of £11.65

The second wine was the Viña Real Barrel Fermented Blanco 2015

This white Rioja is a single varietal wine made with the Viura grape which also features as a major component of Cava. It was soft yellow in appearance and on the nose offers aromas of apple and pineapple. In the mouth its lively acidity was very refreshing and there were good floral flavours together with vanilla and citrus fruits. The finish was pleasantly sweet and lingering.

Drink this as an aperitif and with fish, seafood and charcuterie

Available from Whole Foods and Whalley Wine Shop with an RRP of £11.45