Prime Spanish red wine: Time for a reappraisal

Spanish wine was once cheap and cheerful, but a marked increase in quality in recent years "has meant that Spain is now one of the best sources of tasty, affordable reds", says the Daily Express.

Tempranillo is Spain's leading red grape variety and the Finca Carelio Tempranillo Barrica (£9.99, Majestic) from Castilla y Leon is a perfectly "smooth-textured example bursting with sweet, spicy, tarry black fruits and some vanilla notes", says the paper.

A lighter option is Rioja Valdepomares (£12, M&S), "a lovely example of the modern rioja" from the cooler Alvesa region, according to the Daily Telegraph. A "bright, fresh" wine, it is "free from any obvious influences of oak ageing".

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Better wine does not have to mean more expensive and Spain remains a rewarding destination for bargain hunters - its wine-makers still offer keener deals than their French or Italian rivals.

Tesco's Simply Garnacha, from Campo de Borja, for example, is a "fresh and fruity" summer wine for just £4.79, says The Guardian. And for a few pounds more, Al-Muvedre Old Bush Vine Monastrell (Waitrose), from "one of Spain's most talented winemakers", is a steal at £8.99.

At the other end of the spectrum, Artadi, Vina El Pison, Rioja (£250, Berry Bros and Rudd) is a "superdense, richly textured wine with massive concentration", says Decanter. It "beguiles your tastebuds with supple tannins, sweet oak and flavours of orange zest".