Look at the map of Rioja and you could be in Burgundy, more or less. Turn Rioja 90 degrees and it shares a similar shape, measuring 100km by 40km. There’s the influence of the rivers – the Ebro, in Rioja’s case. Mountains – to Rioja’s north, the Sierra de Cantabria, and to the south, the Sierra de la Demanda – give slopes and various aspects. Burgundy runs north-south and Rioja almost east-west, but the two share immense diversity. A very difficult year, with April frosts that swept northern Europe, followed by drought. One of the earliest vintages on record. Having friends or family round to your house at Christmas? Can’t decide which wines to buy to suit everyone? We were kindly sent these to review. Take a look at our favourite wines below:

One bottle of Milenrama Rosado, a rose wine from Rioja made from 75 year old vines. Milenrama Rosado has a very intense strawberry colour. On the nose it has high intensity notes of fresh peach and raspberry. On the palate, it is soft and silky with a fine sweet flavour at the end. A short, early harvest with good concentration. This year was the first follow-on to the top-quality 2010, with any charming, pretty wines. Welcome to Drinks House 247, where we celebrate the rich, full-bodied essence of Rioja red wine. Our selection, sourced from the prestigious vineyards of Spain's renowned wine region, is an ode to the time-honoured traditions of La Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. Penusco Rioja Gift Set - An Unforgettable Experience Joven – literally translates as 'young'. This applies to the entry level bottles and often you’ll only see the words rioja on the label. Expect simple, inexpensive wines with little to no aging. The last two decades have seen significant changes in winemaking, with producers moving away from regulation ageing in 225-litre barrels, usually American oak, to vats ranging from 300L to 2,000L (or more) and in many cases, French oak. For those who choose not to use the formal ageing categories and instead classify their wines as ‘genérico’ by vintage (from 2019 the new Genérico category will cover all wines with no specified ageing requirements and will also include what was formerly Joven, young unoaked wines), there is plenty of room to experiment, using not just large vats, but concrete of all shapes, or even clay amphorae.One bottle of Milenrama Tinto, a young red from Rioja made from 20 year old vines. Milenrama Tinto has a dark red cherry colour with violet shades. On the nose it has ripe red fruits with lactic notes and liquorice. On the mouth it is wide and long lasting with fleshy texture and notes of plums and liquorice. Grapes: Red – Tempranillo (79.7% of total vineyard), Garnacha (6.9%), Graciano (2%), Mazuelo (1.9%), Maturana Tinta (0.3%)

The Penusco Rioja 2015 is a red wine that transcends the ordinary. Born of Spain's finest Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes, it radiates a depth of flavour, richness, and complexity, embodying the very spirit of the Rioja wine tradition. The Pleasure of Rioja Red - A Gift for the Senses It’s a time of change for Spain’s most famous wine region, as a new focus on terroir and different winemaking practices open the door to new styles. Sarah Jane Evans MW assesses the impact… We thought this wine was light and crispy and had a good sharp taste to it, we enjoyed this wine with a Carbonara pasta which really went well, the wine left a floral lemon taste to it which left a really nice, smooth after taste.In addition the judges noticed broader shifts in style, reflecting the wider developments that are happening across the region – be that a focus on single-vineyard bottlings or changes in winemaking styles. Looking for a wine gift? Look no further, the Rioja Wine Gift Box by Basco is the perfect wine present for any wine lover out there!

Reserva’s are preferred by some to the older Gran Reserva’s because they’re not quite as rich, and the oak can be a little more restrained. If you’re looking to cellar age your wine than the Gran Reserva’s are your best bet thanks to the more structured tannins you’ll find. As ever it just comes down to personal preference.

The Society's Exhibition Rioja Reserva 2011 13.5%: £15.50, The Wine Society

Our Penusco Rioja Gift Set captures the very soul of Spain’s winemaking heritage. This treasure trove offers the prized Penusco Rioja 2015, a harmonious blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes, each sip resonating with the memory of sun-soaked vineyards and the touch of seasoned oak barrels. Rioja Gift Sets - Captivating Elegance in Every Box