Greg Shaw, Hawkshead Wines, blog on Gonzalez Byass winery tour

It's a long way from Barcelona to Vinas del Vero. You take the motorway to Zaragoza, turn right and head for the Pyrennes.

In the foothills is the small town of Barbastro, the centre of the relatively new DO of Somontano. It is sunny and warm....very warm!

In summer temperatures are often in the 40s, but then winters can be cold too, down to -10C or even lower. What strikes me though is the light, it is so clear and bright here. There's a purity and intensity that seems to find its way into the wines: pure vibrant flavours with good persistence.

• Harpers Says...