Tonight we welcomed the return of Basco, the specialist Spanish food and wine importers from Wetherby. In this tasting they chose to share with us a sample of their range of wines and foods from regions of Spain other than Rioja.

The welcome drink was a rosé cava from Catalonia – Can Xa (£14.25). Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this proved to be a fresh, strawberry‑flavoured, easy‑drinking wine that was an excellent aperitif. This wine was matched with olives marinated in garlic and herbs and fried queen almonds.

The second wine was from Rueda, a 100% Sauvignon Blanc from José Pariente (£20.50). This was surprising for several reasons: Sauvignon Blanc is rarely grown in Spain; it came in a smaller 500 ml bottle; and it was semi‑sweet. Whilst it had some bouquet, good body and depth of flavour, its noticeable sweetness prevented many of the society from fully enjoying it. However, it did match well with the anchovies.

The third wine was a white from Terra Alta: Jaspi Blanc (£22.50), made from 70% Garnacha Blanca and 30% Macabeo. Aged for three months on its lees and from 50–70‑year‑old vines, it had a limited but fresh nose and in some ways resembled Chardonnay. It was matched with Paleta Ibérico de Cebo from Arturo Sánchez, sliced on a magnificent manual carving machine in front of us. This shoulder cut comes from acorn‑fed pigs with a minimum curing of 18 months.

The fourth wine of the evening was from Somontano, Enate Chardonnay 234 (2024 vintage, £14.70 on offer). Fresh, fruity, juicy, nicely balanced and very easy drinking — a lovely example of Chardonnay.

The fifth wine was a rosé also from Enate: the Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé (£20). This was a full, dark‑coloured rosé in the traditional style, with good strawberry fruit, great flavour and depth, and a good body. The grapes had been picked at night to retain their freshness.

The sixth wine, García de la Jara, came from a small vineyard in San Lucía, Jerez. Made from 40% Petit Verdot, 30% Tannat and 30% Perrino Verona, it was on offer at £14.70, reduced from £21.

The final wine, Elchano, made from 85% Mencía, 13% Alicante Bouschet and 2% Palomino, was also on offer at £14.70. It was another full‑bodied, full‑flavoured wine — very dry and tannic, suggesting it needed food.

These final wines were accompanied by further tasty examples of Spanish food:

• Gilda – a blend of salty umami flavours from anchoas, boquerones, olives and peppers

• Gran Reserva Manchego – aged for 12 months

• Pan con Tomate – the Spanish favourite

All with impeccable top‑quality sourcing.

The favourite white wine of the evening was the Enate Chardonnay 234; the favourite red was the final wine, Elchano.

Once again, a delightful evening and a chance to taste some top‑quality Spanish foods as well as less well‑known Spanish wines from the Basco product range.