In the UK, Toro is an little-known and grossly underated wine region. The Toro Do (Denominacion de Origen) is located in the Spanish province of Castilla y Leon in and around the town of Toro itself, which overlooks the Rio Deuro, and is only 40 kilometres from the Portuguese border.

Toro is most famous for its bold, ripe and friuty red wines made from the Tinta de Toro grape - this is the local name for Tempranillo, the famous Rioja grape, or Tinta Roriz as it is known in Portugal. The vineyards in Toro sit at the relatively high altitude of 600 to 750 metres and the region has relatively low rainfall with long, hot and dry summers.

Quinta de la Quietud is one of the best producers in the Toro region. Their two best wines are Corral de Campanas and their top wine the Quinta de la Quietud itself.

The Corral de Campanas 2006 is a lovely dark crimson colour with slightly lighter purple / red highlights. It has good "legs". The nose is packed with ripe red fruits and blackcurrant / cassis notes but there are also savoury, spicy vegetal and almost meaty notes with sweet oak notes. On the full and rich palate there are many more ripe fruits (raspberry, fruits of the forest) and lots of sweet oak. There are also herbal (garrigue) and chocolate notes. The medium to full-bodied palate is spicy and warming and quite lengthy. Try with red meats, particularly roast lamb, herby sausages or go wild with a lamb tagine.

A very warming and spicy wine.