Driving through La Rioja was just "preciosa" I could say. But really, I think its better to visit in late summer/early fall when the grapes are harvesting. In february when we went, you could see how important wine is to the region, but the grape vines were bare. But it seemed that there was probably 20,000 grape vines per inhabitant of La Rioja, or probably more. I could not believe how many grapes this place is capable of growing!
We went out quickly, with ganas of tasting some beautiful wines, which we did, and for very little money. At one bar, this is a conversation between Esteban and a bartender:
Est-"Can we please have the bill?"
Bartender- "Sure, thats 1.60 euros"
Est- "No, but we ordered TWO wines"
Bartender- "Yes, I know"
Est- "1.60 for two wines? um, ok!"
The next day we woke up early, for my big surprise. All I was told was I had to wear something "semi casual" (and this sentence deserves its own blog post...)
Anyway we got into the car and drove about 30 minutes away through what reminded me of Oz and the poppies but was Logroño and the grape vines. We arrived at our destination:
Marques de Riscal Bodega and Vineyards! What a masterpiece sitting in the middle of a bunch of grape vines! It was designed by the same man who designed Bilbao's oh so famous Guggenheim museum. The colors represent the wine. The purple represent the red wines, the silver the white wines, and the other color (i forget what color it is) is the bottle. So poetic.
We got a wonderful tour of the enormous bodega which also has the most expensive hotel I've ever heard of. And got some wine tasting in. Then we ran off for our lunch reservation at the 1 star Michelin Restaurant above the hotel.
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| enjoying a glass of fine white wine |
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| I think they called this the "catedral" or something religious, where they store one bottle of every wine ever made. There are special lights and no flash is allowed. The oldest bottle goes back to the 1800s.
As for lunch, the it consisted of about 7 of the most richest, decadent plates of food I have ever eaten. It was so fancy my purse even got its own chair! But it did make me realize I should probably study fancy restarurantism so I know which fork/knife to use. I was so afraid to make a wrong move! I was also afraid to go to the bathroom since they escort you there. So I sat right where I was.
After lunch, we went up to the terrace for a coffee and to relax and see the beautiful landscape. Perfection.
  
I will never forget this trip for as long as I shall live, and I sure have some big shoes to fill next time a birthday rolls around! Suggestions anyone?
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