What travellers find interesting about Spanish food and wine

What travellers find interesting about Spanish food and wine

Although South Africa produce wonderful wines, there are other places on this planet that also have excellent wines.

One of these places is Spain. Let’s have a look at some of the comments and information regarding the wine regions and wines of Spain:

JrNet says that Spain is a world class producer of wines, both in quality and quantity. Better known are the quality reds from Rioja and Ribera del Duero, reds and whites from Penedés, fine whites from Rueda, "sherries" from Jerez, and a fine sparkling wine known as cava.

Spain is a large country with a surprising variety of cultures, climates and geography. Separated from France by the Pyrenees, and from Africa by the Straits of Gibraltar, Spain shares the Iberian peninsula with Portugal. Mountains are a key component in Spain's climate and geography. Three major chains serve as "borders" between the main geographic areas. In the north, the Picos de Europa and Pyrenees separate the north coast on the Bay of Biscay (and France) from the central plateau. The Central Mountain System separates Madrid and La Mancha from the Castilian plateau. And the Penbetic System cuts through Andalucia, not far from the Mediterranean coast.
Language is another key factor in Spanish culture and politics. Castilian Spanish is the most common tongue, but a wide variety of languages and dialects are used across the country: Catalan (Cataluña), Euskera (Basque), Gallego (Galicia), Valenciano (Valencia), etc.

A Winery Itinerary for Ribera del Duero and La Rioja

Most travelers to Spain arrive in Madrid, so there's usually a bit of driving to do to get to wine country. In our case, the suggested itinerary includes both the Ribera del Duero region and La Rioja. The basic travel plan includes: Madrid - Aranda del Duero - Peñafiel - Pesquera - Soria - Logroño - Haro. Depending on your personal travel style - the trip could be 2, 3 or more days. The short trip might be: first day driving to the Ribera region, visiting selected wineries, and travelling on to spend the night in Haro. Then spending the second day at your favorite Rioja "bodegas". A more relaxed version could be to spend the first night in Aranda del Duero or Soria, then driving on to Haro the next morning. Don't forget to pick up a good map before you leave Madrid.

Some 160 km north of Madrid on the N-I highway is our first reference point in the heart of the Ribera del Duero region: Aranda del Duero. The national highway N-122 is the axis of the region, we're going to look at the stretch that runs from Valladolid to Soria. Heading west from Aranda on the N-122, you'll soon see the impressive Peñafiel castle on the horizon. Peñafiel is some 40 km from Aranda, and there are several good bodegas as well as some fine restaurants. From Peñafiel there are lots of possibilities - either on or not far off the N-122 highway. A recommended side trip is Pesquera, only 6 km from Peñafiel. Another side trip could be Roa del Duero, or simply stay on the N-122 - there plenty of wineries to visit. The new purpose-built Hotel Ribera del Duero, on the N-122 highway in Peñafiel is a great place to stay.
Other wine or tourist worthy stops might be the towns of Sotillo de la Ribera, La Vid, Peñaranda, or Clunia. And don't forget to check out the Riberalta winery at Gumiel de Izan on the N-I highway just north of Aranda. There are a host of places worth a visit - not just for the wine but also for sightseeing among the historic treasures of the land of El Cid. The monastery at Silos, where the monks still sing (and also record) Gregorian chants, is another worthwhile stop.
Aranda del Duero is a must visit - for both wining and dining. There are several interesting bodegas, and some of Spain's most famous "asador" restaurants. The wood fired ovens of Aranda produce some of the world's best roast lamb - especially tasty when combined with one of those Ribera del Duero reds. There's more than lamb: "cochinillo" roast suckling pig, "chorizo" and "morcilla" sausage, and also some first-rate fish brought in daily from the coast.
There are two main ways to get from Aranda del Duero to La Rioja. The quickest way is to take the N-I highway north toward Burgos, then following the A-1 toward Vitoria, turning off on the A-68 at Miranda del Ebro toward Logroño. It's an easy drive, all you have to do is follow the blue motorway signs that point to Logroño.
The second, and much more scenic route, follows the N-122 to Soria, then up the N-111 to Logroño. This is one of my favorite pieces of Spain. The run takes you up over the Piqueras Pass, then down the spectacular Iregua River valley and on to Logroño. Once again, just follow the Logroño signs out of Soria - but be careful, especially if you travel in winter as the pass can be blocked with snow.
Haro is probably a good focal point for a Rioja visit, but the capital, Logroño - some 40 km away - is also a good base. One can spend several days without leaving Haro, but a nice drive through the countryside to Laguardia, Elciego, Ollauri, and a dozen other towns is certainly worthwhile. Check with The Rioja Tourist board (see the La Rioja section just ahead), or ask for help at your hotel. Many of the hotels have good contacts that can help in arranging the visits to the bodegas
Wine making in Spain

Spanish wineries are known as "bodegas" and the winemakers, "bodegueros". The Spanish winemakers make their products from a large variety of grapes. It's not unusual to find the typical Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and so forth, but the majority of the wines are produced from native grapes, many completely unknown outside the Iberian peninsula.

The methods used by the "bodegueros" are of course based on the same "technology" used in other wine producing areas, but the differences in technique, storage and aging methods, etc., produce some interesting and often pleasantly distinct wines.

Spanish Cuisine

Spain is a country that truly enjoys it's food. There's really no such thing as "typical" Spanish cooking. Food in Spain is as varied as its climate, cultures and geography. Most regional dishes are based on quality local ingredients and a relatively simple preparation. Little by little I'll be adding local recipes to this section for you to try.

The best known "tourist dish" is probably paella, a rice dish which comes from the Mediterranean area around Valencia. If you want genuine paella, you'll find it in Valencia, or (sometimes) in a specialty restaurant in Madrid or Barcelona. The typical tourist paella bears little (or no) resemblance to the real thing.
In the big cities like Madrid and Barcelona, you'll find every type of regional cuisine and some great restaurants. Despite it's distance from the sea, Madrid (for example) has some of the best fish restaurants in all of Europe.
For those who really like to eat, the Basque country is a must. In Bilbao, San Sebastian and Pamplona, you'll find some of the best food anywhere. Go with a good appetite, and try the "merluza" (hake) or the "bacalao" (cod).
When in doubt in most parts of Spain, the lamb is almost always a good option. And (whatever you do) don't forget to wash down the local specialties with the local wine

A lovely place to spend a few nights. Completely restored and perfectly situated in historic Nájera. It's in the heart of Rioja's wine country and one of the key stops along the Pilgrim's Route to Santiago.

Hotel Duques de Nájera
c/Carmen, 7
26300 Nájera (La Rioja)
Tel: +34 941 410 421
Fax: +34 941 360 456
www.hotelduquesdenajera.com

Source: jrnet.com

Travellers, Spain, Spanish, food, wine