Wine and good living in Rioja Alavesa
1. A glass of “Maria” by Remírez de Ganuza
If the bottle says ** Remírez de Ganuza **, keep drinking . But specifically "Maria" , in addition to having the umbrella of one of the best Rioja wineries (Mr. Parker has rated it this way) and being a real wine It has a beautiful story behind it. The name honors the daughter of its owner, Fernando, who died very young. He is the spoiled one of the house. And it is noticeable only on the label: the drawing of a girl made with vine shoots looking at herself in the mirror, designed by María's brother, an artist who has also decorated some areas of the winery and several restaurants in Vitoria. Since her father began to make it with the best grapes in the farm La Coqueta in 2003, the profits from its sales have been dedicated exclusively to finance social projects . The first two vintages were donated to the AECC (Spanish Association Against Cancer) and the following two to the Madrid Down Syndrome Foundation.
A glass of 'María', grown on the La Coqueta estate: essential
two. The portico of Santa Maria de Laguardia
Although all the people of Laguardia is a real delight , what will remain in our memory forever will be this door with pointed arches decorated with an iconographic program dedicated to the Virgin. Its specialty lies in the fact that it is one of the very few Gothic portals that preserve its polychrome throughout Europe. It was built in the 14th century and painted in the 17th, but thanks to the fact that it was protected by another gate, we can still enjoy all its colors.
The portico of Santa Maria de Laguardia
3.**El Fabulista Winery (in Laguardia)**
maybe the name of Felix Maria Samaniego does not tell us anything a priori, but the title of some of his most universal works such as the fables of The Ant and the Grasshopper either The fox and the grapes . The fabulist was born in Laguardia in 1745, and in what was his house is one of the oldest wineries, where his wines are still produced by hand. In it, more than 5 meters deep, you can discover one of the most characteristic hallmarks of this town, and of Rioja in general: the underground rock carvings , where since the fifteenth century wine was made and aged. And, of course, learn about all the wine processes.
Four. The dolmen of La Chabola de la Hechicera
Rioja Alavesa is riddled with prehistoric remains, but none as spectacular as this ** funerary megalithic monument in perfect condition in El Villar,** among vineyards and with views of the church. The days August 13 and 14 around him is celebrated a coven , where accompanied by the txalaparta (typical Basque instrument), the descent of the sorceress from the church tower takes place. It is the starting gun of the patron saint festivities.
Sorcery Dolmen in Álava
5. Mediterranean microclimate
One of the factors that make Rioja Alavesa wine the Rioja Alavesa wine is its microclimate (the only Mediterranean within an Atlantic climate), which fits the cultivation of the vine like a glove. Specifically it is the Sierra of Cantabria the one in charge of lowering the smoke to the cold and the Cantabrian humidity. The wines thank you. We also.
6. bike routes departing from labastida the company Thabuka proposes pedal routes through the vineyards. It passes through the old Lagares, the Fonsagrada fountain, the Aqueduct, the San Gines Natural Park and the Frenchified cellar of Our Lady of Remelluri , after a break (you can't miss it) for a picnic with products and wines from the area.
Cellar of Our Lady of Remélluri
7. The town of Labraz You see it in a little while, but you have to see it. Medieval 100% It stands out for buildings such as the Governor's House and the Bishop's House, the church of San Miguel (sXVII-XVIII), or the Fuente del Moro (s. XIV), but above all for the conservation of its wall, which has earned it the award for Best Walled City in the world.
Labraza, the best walled city in the world.
8. The Balcony of La Rioja
If the sky and the clouds agree, taking the A-2124, crossing the Port of Herrera, from this viewpoint you can get a visual range of almost the entire wine region and Rioja Alta . IF it is cloudy, we have the consolation of the explanatory panels, which help to get in position.
9. The Cathedral of the Marquis of Riscal
Actually here you can come to almost everything, to see the architecture of the hotel designed by Frank Gehry , to fantasize about what Brad and Angelina did during their visit, or to get a treatment at their spa, but there is something that you can not stop coming: to see its Cathedral, where they keep bottles of all the wines produced by the winery since 1862. It is said that it was here that the owners convinced Gehry to accept the commission, after corking (at least) one of his reserves.
10. Marixa's chops It is one of the most emblematic restaurants in Laguardia and serves, among other things, the so-called rioja menu, which consists of Rioja-style potatoes and lamb chops, and to top it off it has good views. What more could you want? That it can be repeated. It can. And it must.
eleven. The Night Circuit of the Wine Oil Spa Hotel Sercotel Villa de Laguardia
To give a little respite to the wine… we jumped into the water. Where? In the ** Wine Oil Spa of the Villa de Laguardia **. When? At sunset. Why? Because at nightfall the water areas turn into a huge bubble of colored lights under a chandelier in this spa focused on the use of wine and oil. Jets, bubbles and music: Without a doubt, the best way to say goodbye to the day. Or the trip.
*** You may also be interested in...**
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- Basque Country Guide
- The most beautiful villages in the Basque Country
- All the articles of Arantxa Neyra
A wine and oil bath to relax in Rioja Alavesa style