Logroño
christina
The capital of La Rioja province, Logrono is a quintessential smaller Spanish city that sits on the Ebro River and along the Camino de Santiago. Known especially as the center of trade for Rioja wine it is a place people visit to explore the wineries that surround the city. We were only in town for a few days on a weekend and unfortunately hadn’t pre-arranged our schedule to go to those wineries - when we did call, we found out abruptly that there were no reservations to be had. Good thing that most of the wines are sold throughout the city in both shops and at tapas places. We still had the great opportunity to try a few, but if you’re thinking of visiting make reservations in advance.
Rioja wine is made from grapes grown in the autonomous communities of La Rioja and Navarre, and the Basque province of Alava. This wine-making tradition is said to date back to the Phoenicians with historical written evidence linking it to 873 when the monks nearby were perfecting the process. As a red wine it is often compared to a fruity Cabernet Sauvignon. Vinepair does a great job explaining all of its nuanced attributes. What’s worth noting is that while Rioja has been made for centuries, it still doesn’t have the brand recognition that other wines do – making it more affordable at the market. We were able to taste a wide variety of Riojas throughout Logrono including the Crianza and Reserva types – absolutely amazing.
The wine was delicious, we even had a glass for breakfast one day, but so were the tapas of Calle del Laurel, the street known for being the social gathering place of the city. Savored Journeys explains well how to do a Pincho crawl on this street. We didn't make it to the Museo de la Rioja but apparently it's a great place for history buffs. Throughout our stay, we walked along the river, crossed the old Roman bridges, enjoyed coffee and ice cream in the town square and watched the incoming Camino pilgrims and families out for the evening. We were reminded that life in Spain is to be relished and doesn’t begin until 9pm with everyone of all ages out together in the plaza. It was a wonderful and timeless city and our time there was special.
Typically people pass through Logrono on the Camino de Santiago so there are alot of amenities for Pilgrims through out the city. The camino is dotted with the symbol of St. James the clam shell.
A delicious piece of Spanish tortilla served with wine for breakfast!
Being gluten-free is tough in Europe. Especially in La Rioja where bread art is a thing.
The tapas district of Logrono is Calle Laurel. Definitely worth a visit.
FOOD FACTS: Rioja has more than 600 wineries spread across the subzones of Rioja Alta, Alavesa and Baja. With over 140,000 acres of cultivated land, Rioja yields 250 million litres of wine annually, 85% of which is red. Although wine may be Its most popular export Rioja is also known for the region's considerable production of fruit, vegetables, pulses and funghi.