One such region is Ribera del Duero, located in the north of the country. Found in Castilla y Leon, roughly two hours north of Madrid, the region is approximately 70 miles long and runs along the River Duero. It also has a surprisingly semi-arid terrain while the huge differences in elevation, soil, exposure and of course savoir faire make no two wines the same. It was also named Wine Enthusiast’s Region of the Year in 2012.

Take for example its two star players: Pingus is considered one of the most individual wines on the market. Its singularity is its strength, and would not have been possible in one of the other wine regions of Spain. The old-vine Tempranillo wines are big, bold and textured, and are treated with sensitivity and love by Pingus’ winemaker Peter Sisseck, who has shone a spotlight on the region. And yes, it’s a Pingus is one of the Parker perfect pointers.

The other superstar of the region is completely different, underlining the vast variety that Ribera del Duero is capable of. Vegas Sicilia’s Unico has kept the old-world traditionalism that has made it a world-player for over 150 years. Its epic proportions are limitless, offering unparalleled cellaring potential whether you are looking to drink or invest. Both wines are to be saved for a rainy day though - at around €800 a bottle for Pingus (Q3 2019, certain vintage like 2014 are much higher) and upwards of €400 for Unico, it appears that what Ribera del Duero lacks in fine wine quantity, it makes up for with quality.