United Wineries has added a Reserva level to its Berberana Dragon Spanish wine brand.

The Reservas Privadas, which has a retail price of £5.99, is made entirely from Temperanillo grapes and has been matured for 18 months in American oak to add body to the wine.

A spokesman for the company said: "We see lots of opportunities for modern style Spanish wines, especially at Vina de la Tierra level. Spain has a lot to offer and is emerging as a leader in terms of wine quality and innovation."

He said the Reserva range would help to encourage consumers to try more

premium wines with the reliability of a strong brand, and would also help to add value to a category where the average price remains lower than the average wine price in the UK, currently at £3.65 compared to £3.85 for total off-trade, according to ACNielsen, [week ending 25 March 2005].

The wine is described as having intense flavours of dark berry fruit with hints of spices and vanilla.