Wines to try that are new to the country

This week’s column is all about the new as none of the wines below are in the country more than a few weeks. There are two from Lidl and four Spanish wines from Wines Direct who have a knack of ferreting out interesting wines.

The most unusual of the Spanish wines is probably Jimenez Landi Bajondillo which is made with an heirloom version of Garnacha known as Hairy Garnacha or Garnacha Peluda. These are old vines but the estate itself is a new project and only dates from 2004. The small region of Méntrida is also new to the page and is famous for its Garnacha, a grape which is more commonly found in Catalonia than in Castile-La Mancha in central Spain.

Speaking of Catalonia one of the world’s most renowned Garnacha sites is Priorat as you probably know but good Priorat is never cheap with top wines selling for up to €100. Nearby Montsant can offer better value and similar flavours (if occasionally a little less refined), and while I admit that at €20 the Bancal del Bosc below isn’t exactly cheap, is a very fair price for the quality.