Perdido Tempranillo

A little off the beaten track. A lot of Spanish character.
Just south of the Pyrenees, where Navarra stretches towards the famous vineyards of Rioja, lies the Vino de la Tierra de las 3 Riberas. It is an area that doesn't carry the same international fame as its neighbour, but that freedom allows producers to concentrate on making expressive, uncomplicated wines from grapes that are perfectly suited to the landscape. Perdido is one of them — a pure Tempranillo that shows the grape in a more relaxed, everyday style.

Made by Bodegas Agronavarra, this is Tempranillo without the weight of a traditional Rioja ageing regime. Instead, the focus is on ripe fruit, freshness and easy-drinking texture. Dark cherry, blackberry and plum lead the way, with gentle spice and subtle savoury notes adding depth. The palate is smooth and rounded, with supple tannins and enough freshness to keep the wine lively rather than heavy.

The name Perdido, meaning “lost” in Spanish, seems rather appropriate for a wine from an area that can easily be overlooked between some of Spain's better-known wine regions. But once you find it, there is plenty to enjoy. For Ireland, it is an especially appealing style of Spanish red: familiar enough to be approachable, versatile enough for everyday food, and with plenty of character for the price.

Why we love it:
Perdido is Tempranillo doing what it does best without unnecessary complication. Dark cherry and ripe berry fruit give it plenty of generosity, while gentle spice and supple tannins add just enough structure to keep things interesting. It is smooth, full-flavoured and wonderfully easy to pair, making it the sort of Spanish red that can comfortably become a regular dinner-table favourite.