Tasting notes:

For the first time, our best wine of the competition was white, a reflection of the quality potential of barrel-aged Viura, and confirmation that Rioja’s blancos are on the ascendant. As for the character of our Grand Master, called Hinia, this reserva white Rioja is an outstanding wine, with layers of wonderful flavours, combined in a way one tends to only find in this Spanish region. There are notes of caramel and baked apple, toast and almond, combined with grilled lemon and blood orange, along with a touch of beeswax. As for the texture, it’s an appealing mix of oak-influenced richness and grape-derived freshness, with a citric edge, along with a fine dusting of tannins too, ensuring the finish is dry and mouth watering – as well as suitable for a range of foods, particularly Spanish tortilla, or aged Manchego with fried padron peppers. (Patrick Schmitt MW)