Logroño

The capital city sits, strategically placed, in between the Rioja Alta – the more mountainous western part and the drier eastern part of Rioja Baja. The center of Logroño, where the old town is located, is a beautiful historical monument long associated with pilgrimage.

The city is located along the route of Santiago de Compostela. It is also located beside the River Ebro, an artery that crosses and waters a large part of northern Spain, and is famous for being the capital not only of the administrative region but also of the gastronomic and wine culture that permeates the area.

It’s historic origins are unclear. For many centuries it was a key city in the Muslim zone of influence but was consolidated as an urban centre from the XI century and with the establishment of the area as a key staging post for the pilgrimages en route to Santiago.

More information: http://www.logroturismo.org

Places Worth a Visit

To visit Lorgroño is to learn about the art of wine. There is no better place to do this than in the Bodega of Juan Alcorta (http://www.bodegasjuanalcorta.com), which is a little outside of the city centre but well worth a visit. This huge building, dedicated to the production of one of the great wines of La Rioja is open for visitor, but you have to arrange a visit first. A glass of the delicious wine makes it well worth the trouble. Many other vineyards are there too, those of Darién, Ontañón and Marques de Murrieta are only a brief taste.

No visit to Logroño is complete without a visit to the culinary centre of the city. This is centred around the calles Laurel and San Agustín. Here, the hungry and thirsty (conditions that are almost a precondition of entry) can find some of the best tapas in northern Spain in such classic hostelries as Zubillaga, Las Cubanas, Achuri, Cachero Comidas and many others.

For the historically minded ,monumental Logroño is a place to spend time and flavour the cultural offering. In the old town, the centre is dominated by the magnificent ayuntamiento building which is almost a natural gateway to the heart of the city. Moving onto Portales, one of the main streets of the city which opens with the beautiful Palacio de los Chapitales. Apart from the great restaurants, the street is lined with medieval archways that are home to many shops selling local delicacies.

Important Dates for the Diary

Fiestas de San Bernabé between the 7th and 13th June. The fiesta is in commemoration of the famous defense of the city from French troops during the Peninsula War. It is noted for its medieval market, street music and theatre and endless wine tastings. There is also a solemn procession during which bread, wine and fish are shared out amongst the audience.

The fiesta of San Mateo is held between the 20th and 26th of September. This is a festival in celebration of the grape harvest and the endless hope that this year will be another fine one.

With riojan wine, and from a novices’ view, no year can be described as a bad one!