Wine review

For years their entry point red was the credible and successful Sangre de Toro, which translates as Bull’s Blood, so Vina Sol, which translates as wine of the sun, sounds so much more tasty.

Vina Sol Red is, like most of Torres wines, from the Catalunya region of NE Spain and is made from 100% Tempranillo (the quality grape variety that dominates in Rioja). It’s a lightish, fruity red, unoaked and best enjoyed young. It’s got pleasing red fruit aromas and a palate of raspberries and redcurrants. Vina Sol 2008 Red can be found in the Great with Hot & Spicy food section at Tesco on offer at 4.49 (usually 6.49).

The Vina Sol White can be found in the Great with Fish section at Tesco for 4.49 (usually 6.49). It’s made from the local Parallada grape which thrives in the cooler mountain micro climates of Catalunya. As the name suggests this is more of a warm weather wine with its distinctive fresh fruit aromas with spicy notes and crisp apple and tropical pineapple flavours on the palate.

Another Spanish red worth trying and certainly good value is the Tarragona Reserva 2004 from Lidl on offer for 2.99 until Sunday, January 17 (usually 3.99). This Tarragona Reserva is a full bodied red from the Carinena grape that’s had 12 months oak aging and 24 months bottle aging.

by Paul Abraham