Vega Sicilia is a hangover from an era when everything was done right for, in the best sense of the word, the honour of it. The family were pioneer wine producers in Ribera del Duero, where they have spawned a hundred pretenders, none of whom has yet come close to the unique Vega style. Their watchwords are serious and discipline. Your reward is a set of wines for every occasion when a red wine of considerable character is required to provide maximum pleasure.

Ribera is a unique region. It is a high altitude home to the Tempranillo grape, here referred to by the throwaway name of tinto del pais - country red in vernacular translation. When you drink the Unico or Alion, this is the terroir you'll taste, the altitude giving freshness to the wines. When you drink the Pintia from Toro, you'll taste the low altitude warmth and richness and the immediate appeal of a full bodied red grown on sandy soil. Whichever one you choose, you'll enjoy both the wine and the appeal of the bit of Spanish land and culture where it originated. /CW