Page 170 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

168  nor thern sp ain region b y region

x La Rioja Wines
2 Haro
the rioja wine region, which extends into Haro’s limestone-
navarra and alava, has been producing wine clay soils produce
since the Middle ages. Vines have taken root full-bodied wines
extremely well on the sunny hillsides, the soil that are typical of
La Rioja. Among
irrigated by the ebro river and its tributaries. the local wineries
atlantic winds blow across the western are the Bodega
part, while the eastern part is subject to Cooperativa and
Mediterranean winds. there are three sub- Viña Tondonia, with
its futuristic pavilion
regions: rioja alta, rioja baja and rioja alavesa. and carafe-shaped
there are over 450 wineries in the region. wine shop designed
typical grape varieties used are by Zaha Hadid.
tempranillo and garnacha.
Bilbao (Bilbo)
1 Briñas
In this tiny village Labastida
rises a proud
18th-century palace,
which has been Ebro
transformed into Haro San Vicente
de la Sonsierra
the wonderful
Hospedería del
Señorío de Briñas.
The hotel puts on Briones
special events that
introduce guests to
the world of wine.

8 Navarrete
The vineyards
around this town Cenicero
(see p165) can be
seen by bicycle or
on horseback. A local
speciality is the bollo
de San Blas, a sweet roll
stuffed with chorizo.
0 kilometres 5
0 miles 5
Burgos
How to Read Wine Labels The producer’s name
or bodega is the first
The most important information on thing connoisseurs seek.
a label is the name of the producer Many labels also list
or bodega. Next is the vintage, or the grape varieties.
añada, followed by the type of wine.
All wines are classified accord ing
to four quality categories: joven or Label decoration can be
cosecha (young wine, one or two elegant, with illustra tions
years old); crianza (matured in barrels by top graphic designers
for at least a year); and reserva and or painters.
gran reserva (the best wines that
have matured the longest). Each Confirmation of source,
label displays the alcohol content or denominación de ori­ Designation of quality category
and quality mark. gen, is shortened to DO. and vintage

For hotels and restaurants see pp206–7 and pp221–2

NSP_168-169_(Tour)2.indd 168 19/01/2015 17:23