I have a good friend Jon who disappeared one day several years ago. Sightings were few and far between, but this was for good reason, as he has just dropped off a bottle of his own Spanish wine called Little House.

Jon has been slaving away with his friend Chus making wine in the Arribes DO region near Salamanca by the Portuguese border and the Duero river.

What is particularly interesting are the grape varieties used. They predominantly only grow in the local area and are certainly not easily found in wines sold in the UK, giving his wine a good edge. Also being a smaller winery, traditional methods ensure quality.

I always find the idea of the mass production of the major wine brands a bit vulgar, almost like battery farming. So efficient, so pre-packaged and processed. So prescriptive. I know globally there are lots of thirsts to quench, supply/demand/practicality, but where's the romance any more? I remember my brother and I pressing grapes with our feet as kids, picked from a vine at home. The results were not great (due to the poor crop of bitter grapes in the back garden attempting to grow in the UK climate) but the wine certainly had character and the process was wonderful.

In my mind the true sentiments are there in smaller wineries.

To the bottle itself...

A blend of Juan Garcia and Rufete which are the indigenous grapes, with the popular Tempranillo (you will have heard of from Rioja).

The foil is metallic and steely blue with an embossed seal on the top. The label is very descriptive with a nice map of the region. It is 13.5% vol and calls itself a crianza (which means it is a quality wine that has been aged in oak for at least a year).

The bottle is heavy, with a generous punt. A short neck is interrupted by high shoulders. The sides then taper in towards the bottom like a wedge. An unusual bottle shape, pleasing to the eye and heavy, imparting a feel of quality.

Jon told me that this bottle should age well, but would be drinkable now and should be decanted for a while first.

Sausages, sweet potato and leeks were waiting from the local deli, so I cut off the foil and removed the nice cork cork. The wine was not too dark and looked lively as it poured out. I waited a while and tucked in.

I am not just saying this because Jon is a good friend, but it was really good. You could taste the slightly bitter tannins, and this sat very well with the punch of fruit from the unusual grape varieties. Great with food, and helped the bangers slip down a treat.

Cheers for the bottle Jon.

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