A small, select group gathered in the lounge at Tetley Place for our June tasting. We had hoped to be out in the garden on a pleasant summer’s evening, but instead found ourselves turning the heating on. Undeterred, John had been let loose to put together a Spanish tasting — whites first, followed by a vertical tasting of reds — and he arrived fully prepared with informative handouts and coloured maps (ever the teacher!).

To cheer everyone up on this chilly, rainy evening, we began with Cava Res Pere Ventura, a lively start to the night. We then moved through three Spanish whites: Beronia Rueda 2024, Muga White Rioja (Haro) 2025, and Bouza do Rei, Rías Baixas 2025. All were sourced from Majestic and all were well received, with the Muga Rioja taking first place among the whites.

After a buffet supper, John introduced the reds: a vertical tasting of Carlos Serres 5 Barricas Gran Reserva from 2016, 2017 and 2018, purchased from Vinoselección. With more glasses needed to appreciate the full effect, it was fortunate we were a small group. The wine — a blend of Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo — is aged for two years in oak, giving it a distinctive vanilla character.

We began with the 2018, light and initially unassuming, though it grew in interest as the tasting progressed. The 2017 showed more nose, more flavour and more colour, and several members felt it tasted like an entirely different wine. The 2016 was darker and very full‑flavoured, but it was the 2017 that ultimately came out on top.

Everyone enjoyed the evening and found it fascinating to see just how much difference a single year can make to the character of a wine.