|
Joyful Wine Festival of San Mateo - page 3 |
|
|
This religious ceremony gathers masses of spectators, but the setup is better for the TV-cameras than the people around the closed in area, where the act takes place on a stage.
Visiting the wineries is probably a more rewarding experience. Some of them are in walking distance from the city. For instance the second oldest winery of "Bodegas Franco Españolas" is located by the river Ebro, at the end of the iron bridge. Along the guided tours, you learn about viticulture, grapes, winemaking and classification of riojas. Already the old buildings and cellars storing thousands of wine barrels are worth seeing. Naturally you have an opportunity to taste the various riojas, ranging from simple "Rioja", which has spent less than a year in barrel, to gran reservas ageing at least two years in oak and three in bottle. |
 |
Photo above - el_espolon: Stomping grapes is part of the first harvest ceremony. |
Photo above - gran_via: There is always something exciting going on.
Photo above - gran_via: Parades with dancing people are part of the festival. |
Burning of the Festival Barrel
In the evenings, the sounds of flamenco, jazz and rock carry over the city from bars and squares. The quarters of Elefantes are packed with celebrators enjoying the plates and titbits served by numerous restaurants and snack bars.
If you stay the whole festival week in the old town, the neighbourhood association "We want to sleep" probably receives your sympathy. Especially the noise made by rowdy youngsters roaming the streets is stunning.
Fireworks are part of the latenight programme in the Ribera Park almost every day. Besides the Spanish pyrotechnics, you can admire the skills of foreign virtuosos as well. Like many other Spanish fiestas, also this one ends with a spectacle of fire. The festival barrel, a piece of art, is carried by four men in a solemn procession to the city square and set into fire. |
Photo above - vinoteca_calle_ruavieja: Tasting wines in the bars of Logroño is an essentian part of San Mateo..
Read about Private Wine Tours
Return to the Spain's Festivals Top page |
 |
Book your accommodations with my recommended Spain Travel Agent and use them to book your own exclusive Wine Tour.
Working with excellent local contacts, Madrid & Beyond opens up some of the best-kept secrets of Spain for the traveler. Personal guides, private wine tours, walking and bicycling excursions, balcony seats for the running with the bulls are just a few of the possibilities.
Note: Madrid and Beyond arranges trips in their entirety, not segments or single nights. Also Note: Madrid and Beyond's focus is on unique accommodations and three star hotels or above.
Relationship Disclosure
Booking Request Form |
|
|
|
|
