Discover mencia: the Spanish red wine you need to drink I'm in the wild hills of north-west Spain, first in Galicia, then just across the border into Castilla y Leon, and I’m tasting something new. It’s mencia, a grape that creates wonderfully scented, deeply fruity red wines alive with strawberry, blackcurrant and mulberry juiciness. Mencia has something of the character of good Beaujolais, or Loire Valley cabernet franc, yet also a character of its own. Some wines have hints of plain chocolate, liquorice, spiced red cherries, bosky forest fruits. My favourites are the exuberant younger wines, mostly unoaked, and served refreshingly cool, but others are bigger, chunkier, oaky. Either way, reds made from mencia are very fashionable right now – just watch them whooshing into the UK from the wine regions of Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras, Monterrei and especially trendy Bierzo. It’s inland from the Atlantic, and not as impossibly hot as some parts of Spain.

That explains the perky acidity in these mouthwatering reds, not too heavy and versatile with food (perfect for cured meats).best 2009 red wines And they’re made by some of Spain’s most exciting winemakers right now, such as the young and dynamic Veronica Ortega and the long-bearded and talented consultant Raul Perez, regularly described as the region’s “wine wizard”.best wine for eggs Names to look out for, but where to find their wines? wine on tap nycAs well as those below, there are good mencias to be had at The Wine Society, Berry Bros & Rudd, Great Western Wine and even Asda, among others.top 10 wine cocktails Time to catch the new wave of northern Spanish reds.how much cost red wine in india

El Castro de Valtuille Mencia Joven 2013/14 Bierzo, Spain (Yorkshire Vintners, £10.20, and other independents)best wine when on a diet A youthful, quaffable wine, dark purple and full of fragrant cassis and cherry, one to pour with a charcuterie board. Valderroa Mencia 2013 Valdeorras, Spain (Telegraph Wine from Waitrose, £11.99) Deeply aromatic, exuberantly fruity red packed with black cherries and mulberries with a hint of liquorice. Suits a light chill. Petalos 2012/13, Descendientes de J Palacios Bierzo, Spain (Majestic, £18.49 or £13.87 when you buy two until 31 August) Rich, rounded and juicy with ripe blackberries and a hint of spicy oak from French barrel ageing. TIPPLE TIP pink and perky... Two pink champagne offers appeal this week: The fine, fruity Champagne Lanson Rosé NV, France, down from £35 to £28 at Sainsbury’s until 25 August and dry, raspberryish Oudinot Brut Rosé NV, down from £27 to £22 at Marks & Spencer until 7 September.

It’s not the first time I’ve defended that one of Spain’s greatest cultural assets is its diversity. From the simple charm of a whitewashed town in the sierras of Andalucía, to the cosmopolitan appeal of cultural capitals like Barcelona -and everything in between-, there’s something here for everyone. And a great way to discover Spain’s diversity is through its wines. With 64 different wine D.O.’s (Denominations of Origin) across the country, Spain has a wine style for every drinker. In this list of must-try wines from Spain, you will find great examples of wines from world-renown regions like: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat or Jerez. Also, for those wanting to explore a little further, some reasonably priced examples of wines made in more obscure places, from indigenous grape varieties like: Bobal, Mencía or Hondarribi Zuri that may have you wondering why you haven’t started exploring Spanish wines sooner. So why not make a New Year’s resolution to explore Spanish wines?!

100% Mencía from D.O. Ribeira Sacra. This intense yet elegant red comes directly from the vineyards planted in the steep walls of the Sil River canyon in Galicia, home of the most extreme grape-growing conditions in Spain. Concentrated aromas of ripe blue forest fruits and sweet spice embrace the mineral earthiness characteristic of the Ribeira Sacra soils. With slightly more body than the average, its respectful oak treatment results in a balanced expression of the virtues of the Mencía grape variety. A must try for 2015. Mas Romani Artigas 2011. Garnacha, Cabernet and Cariñena blend from D.O.Ca. Priorat. This Grenache blend (70%) is a great example of what can be achieved in D.O. Priorat, even at the entry-level. Artigas 2012 is intense and round, with an excellent balance between ripe fruit and spice. With well integrated tannins, it displays dark chocolate, toasted oak and earthy aromas. This is a great choice for those who want to begin exploring the tipicity of the wines from Priorat.

The recently released 2011 Izadi Crianza is an icon of Rioja’s new generation. Hailing from the Alavesa subzone, Izadi is consistent and versatile. This 100% Tempranillo is focused more on showcasing pleasantly tangy red fruit rather than the spicy toasted oak scents so characteristic of the classics. Izadi is a personal favorite among the more contained modern Rioja wine styles. Pago de los Capellanes Crianza 2010. A list of top Spanish red wines can’t be complete without a wine from Ribera del Duero. Pago de los Capellanes 2011 reflects Ribera’s modern style –as an alternative to the classics like Vega Sicilia- Concentrated, structured and creamy, it showcases nicely the region’s characteristic balance and finesse. Pasión de Bobal 2012. 100% Bobal from D.O. Utiel-Requena. The D.O. Utiel-Requena and its Bobal are certainly the discovery of last year for me. Despite being considered a hard to grow variety that results in very straightforward wines, this native grape can achieve an appealing complexity when treated right.

In this case, the sweet spice from its 8 months aging in oak works well when combined with its dry red cherry and raisin aromas. It’s rich yet approachable thanks to a combination of bitter, rustic tannins and fresh fruity acidity. Los Bermejos Espumante Malvasía Brut Nature. Made from 100% Malvasía grown in volcanic soils, this is an alternative for those exploring Spanish sparkling wine beyond Cava. Light straw yellow with fine bubbles and a steady crown; it displays aromas of fresh citrus, peach and fennel. The “brut” style guarantees crisp acidity and a mid-weight mouthfeel.  The region’s black ash soils are played up in its mineral finish. Santiago Ruiz 2013, O Rosal. Albariño based blend from D.O.Rias Baixas. This classic from the O Rosal subzone of the Rías Baixas proves why Galicia has become the major player among the quality white wine regions of Spain. Albariño, the region’s star white grape, is complemented here with four other native varieties: Loureiro, Treixadura, Caíño Blanco and Godello.

These add body and aromatic complexity and result in a wine that is fuller than the average yet maintains Albariño’s characteristic tartness. This bright and enticing Txakoli from Spain’s northern Basque region is made from 100% native Hondarribi Zuri grapes as opposed to the more traditional blends common in the region. Tart citrus and green apple aromas mingle with wild flowers (jasmine) and herbs (lemon verbena). It’s pretty straightforward:  fresh, fruity and flavorful with a slightly sharp finish. Certainly, Txakolí and Hondarribi Zuri are worth discovering. Lustau “La Ina” Fino. 100% Palomino from D.O. Jerez/Xéres/Sherry (www.lustau.es) ~$14.99 Sherry’s comeback may be considered the latest bluff to hit the wine industry (at least in the sweeter end of the spectrum) yet there’s a growing interest in the dry styles like Manzanilla and Fino. Despite this growth not becoming a major trend in the market, these wines are slowly becoming more popular both in and outside Spain.