Where to buy WINE

Some of you have asked us where to buy wine. There are so many big names for wine in La Rioja that it is difficult to pick just one, but before I go into any detail, I can't but recommend the wine my family produces!! You will have the opportunity to taste it at the wedding, so you will see that I'm not recommeding it just because my uncle makes it!! It´s very, very nice red wine (and the price is even better):

12-bottle box "Castillares" Crianza: €42
3-bottle wood box "Castillares" Crianza: €14
3-bottle cardboard box "Castillares" Crianza: €12
2-bottle wood box "Castillares" Crianza: €10

12-bottle box, young wine (see below for an explanation): €25
3-bottle cardboard box, young wine: €7

If you're interested, let me know.

This area produces some truly high quality wines, called special reserves. They come in three categories, depending on the length of time that they have been left to mature:

Crianza

(Literally wine of breeding) Wines are aged for a period of at least one year in a barrel, then stored in bottles for one more year. As a rule, Crianzas are made from grapes of the third, fourth or fifth crop.

Reserva

These wines are aged for at least two years in the barrel, then one additional year in the bottle.

Gran Reserva

Only permitted in particularly good vintages. Aged for at least three years in oak barrels, then one year in bottles in the underground cellars famous in La Rioja, called calaos.

Apart from the special reserves, you can also get Vino joven o Vino del año (Young wine): wine made for immediate drinking, bottled straight after fining (no ageing in oak casks). Lighter and easier to drink than crianza or reserva (but you can't really compare!).

Rioja Wineries

The following is a short list of Rioja wines, but there are many others:

• Marqués de Riscal - This is the oldest bodega in La Rioja and was founded in 1860 by the Marques of Riscal. This winery only produces Reserva and Gran Reserva wines and the grapes come from vineyards that are at least 20 years old. They also make fantastic white wine from the sanctuary of Rueda.
  

• Muga - "In our wines you find both tradition and modernity side by side. They are an exact reflection of very specific climatic and geographic features, and that’s why they have a pronounced personality."
  

• Marques de Cáceres - Enrique Forner founded this winery in the 1960's with the help of his friend, professor Emile Peynaud, who had already collaborated with the Forner family in Bourdeaux, France. The winery is named after the Marques, Juan Ambrosio Garcia de Cáceres y Montemayor.

• C.V.N.E. (Compania Vinicola del Norte de España) - This winery was founded in 1879 and keeps up to date on the latest equipment and technology available. This winery was honored when the Royal Family chose one of its wines to be served at one of Prince Felipe's wedding celebrations.

• Campo Viejo - This is one of the largest bodegas, with over 45,000 barrels, stored in its underground cellars. This winery has a wide variety of wines, from simple white table wines to exclusive special reserves.

WE ALSO RECOMMEND...

You can follow our friends’ recommendations because they know very well what they're talking about (they have supported the economy of those places for a very long time!!). Now we would also like to make our small contribution to this section with places which are conveniently located according to where you're staying, so here we go:

LOGROÑO

• BREAKFAST TIME

For those staying at “Hotel Ciudad de Logroño”:

1. Chocolatería Valor (thick, dark chocolate with churros; horchata) http://logrono.salir.com/chocolateria_valor-c__garcia_morato_19

It is smoke free!!!

2. There is also a cafeteria in the park across the road from the hotel. I don´t remember the name, but it's quite nice.
3. Cafetería Dona, on Pérez Galdós, next to Zara (although I would go for any of the other two first).

Beware:

Café solo = black coffee (it is espresso; if you want filter coffee, you'll have to order "un café americano", although you might not get it everywhere)

Café con leche = cafe latte (when you order coffee with milk in Spain, you get espresso and the rest is all milk)

Cortado = macchiato (espresso and a drop of milk)

Descafeinado de sobre = decaf (hot milk + a sachet of decaf coffee powder)

Descafeinado de máquina = decaf (hot milk + decaf coffee made in a coffee machine)

For those staying at “Pensión Casa con Encanto”:

1. Cafetería Delicias, on Avda. de La Rioja, 2-4 (in El Espolón)
2. Any of the cafeterias in Plaza del Mercado or Calle Portales or Calle Bretón
3. Café Cervantes, across the road from Instituto Sagasta, on Muro de Cervantes, 3 (thick, dark chocolate with churros)

· LUNCH TIME (in/around the old town)

En Ascuas: nice traditional Riojan food (good quality/price relationship; they have the menu in English if you ask for it). C/ Hermanos Moroy 22. Tfno.: 941 246 867

Tastavin: recently opened restaurant with good food and nice atmosphere. C/ San Juan 25, Tfno: 609 787 036

El Portalón: traditional Riojan food 941 24 13 34

Tahiti: delicious meat and, above all, the best tortilla de patata or Spanish omelette ever (they have won several national prizes for that!) 941 22 33 09 (closed on Sundays)

Trattoria: C/ Bretón de los Herreros, 29 -Tel.: 941 20 26 02

Creperia: C/ Sagasta, 6-Tel.: 941 25 47 47

Drunken Duck (See Tito´s section at “Our friends recommend”)

El Lagar: very, very nice traditional food, although a bit expensive and not in the old town (well located for those staying in Hotel Ciudad de Logroño). C/ Huesca, 13- Tel.: 941 25 03 09

El Rey del jamón: C/ Portales, 45 -Tel.: 941 26 38 73

Sidrería San Gregorio: C/ San Gregorio -Tel.: 941 25 25 24

For MENUS OF THE DAY, see Tito's section above.

• TAPAS (on Laurel Street)
  

Pata Negra: the best for ham (jamón Serrano). You can have small bocadillos with ham only, ham with melted cheese (called "jamón con queso de tetilla"), ham with anchovies and fresh tomato, salmon and blue cheese, etc. Don´t miss it!!

Juan y Pinchamé: prawns and pineapple, embuchados (meat)

Blanco y Negro: small bocadillos with anchovies and green pepper (called “matrimonio”), haddock, etc. Delicious!

Soriano: very traditional mushrooms

Lorenzo: Pincho moruno (small pieces of meat in a stick) and “Tío Agus” (the same pieces of meat but on bread and with a very tasty sauce)

La Rueda: setas (flat mushrooms or funghi)

Jubera: Patatas bravas (potatoes with mayonnaise and Tabasco). If you're staying at Hotel Ciudad de Logroño, I strongly recommend to go to a bar nearby called “Sella” where they serve the best patatas bravas of the region (and also fantastic mussels in tomato sauce). “Sella” is on República Argentina street, just turning left as you go along Calle Somosierra from the hotel.

Sebas: tortilla de patata

WINE: If you like wine, you're in the right place. Order “Crianza”.

• NIGHTLIFE

August is holiday in Spain and most locals move to their villages in search of cooler weather. That means that there won't be a great atmosphere, but you'll also be able to enter any bar without having to fight your way in!

Relaxed atmospheres: the areas of Bretón de los Herreros (any of the cafes and terraces there), Plaza del Mercado (idem), Calle Vitoria, and Gran Vía.

Pubs and bars (till 4am): the areas of La Zona (by Calle Labradores, Calle Lardero, etc.), La Mayor, La Plaza del Mercado (there, and also on the streets behind).

Discos (from 4am onwards): there are three, all of them 5 minutes from Plaza del Mercado (where the Cathedral is): "Concept" (recommended... if any of them can be recommended!), "Yoquese" (for teenagers), and "Aural" (mainly techno music, although it depends on the day...).

LAGUARDIA

If you're staying in Laguardia, you can have breakfast and lunch at the bar/cafeteria next to the pension, which has the same name: Biazteri. I'm afraid it's not smoke free, but I'll try to find one that is so.

There are a couple of nice bakeries in the village where you can buy fresh bread and traditional pastry.

For lunch there are different options, most of them expensive (Laguardia is not a cheap eat):

Marixa: one of the oldest and possibly the best restaurant of Laguardia. Very good but rather expensive.

El Bodegón: nice and definitely cheaper than Marixa (it's usually full, but August is not a busy month, so you might be lucky).

Posada Mayor de Migueloa: "Located in the narrow medieval streets of Laguardia, this beautifully renovated 17th century manor house is surely a great choice for lovers of excellent food, wine and old world charm." It is quite expensive, but you can also just go to the bar for a drink and some tapas and enjoy the place.

Biazteri: they have "platos combinados" (economical dishes - around 12 euros - which combine a bit of everything: eggs, steaks and fries; fish, salad and eggs, etc.) in the bar, and very nice food in the restaurant.

There is also a restaurant just opposite Villa Lucía, across the road, next to the petrol station. It is called "Las Postas" and it serves nice and cheap food. If you don't want to spend too much money, I would go for either Biazteri or Las Postas. You'll eat well and cheaply.

Restaurante Amelivia: this is a fairly new restaurant and I've never been there, but it's supposed to be more fancy. I've heard that you can eat for approx. 36 euros with good wine. It's on Calle Barbacana, 14.

If you can, go to the tourist information office upon arrival and get a map of the village. It's tiny, but still it's good to know where these places are located. If you ask them, I'm sure they'll help you find the restaurants or any other place you're looking for.

Y para los hispano-parlantes:

http://laguardadenavarra.blogspot.com/2007/03/laguardia-gua-para-un-da.html

OUR FRIENDS RECOMMEND.... / NUESTROS AMIGOS RECOMIENDAN...

(Aviso: esta página está en un Spanglish de categoría)

At the end of this page you'll find an elaborate list of places with MENUS OF THE DAY provided by Tito. Don't miss it!!

NACHO

Dear visiting Vikings,

Logroño is a small town in northern Spain, where big surprises await you in every corner. Regardless of where you stay, the best way to start the day is with a good breakfast in any of the cheerful and sunny cafes on the street Calle Bretón de los Herreros. De los Herreros was a playwright, poet and journalist to whom the only theatre in the town is dedicated; that theatre can be found on the same street. The theatre has plays and other things going on.

If you will remember anything from your trip to Rioja, it will be the explosion of flavours of the Rioja cuisine. Enter any of the restaurants you will

find in the old town. Our recommendation – Restaurante La Reja Dorada, which is located in the historic heart of the city – is the best place to feel the link between tradition, history and good food.

Indispensable items on your itenary include: a walk along the Ebro river with a view of the skyline of the town; the Revellín, remnants of the ancient wall that saved the city from the French siege of 1521; and Paseo del Espolón. Before arriving in Logroño, you read about its history in a brief and entertaining entry on Wikipedia in Spanish or English.

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Queridos visitantes, a la par que vikingos:

Logroño es una pequeña ciudad del norte de España, donde en cada rincón te aguardan grandes sorpresas. Independientemente de dónde estés alojado, la mejor manera de empezar el día es con un buen desayuno en cualquiera de las alegres y soleadas cafeterías de la calle Bretón de los Herreros, dramaturgo, poeta y periodista español al que está dedicado el teatro de la ciudad que encontrarás en la misma calle. El teatro cuenta una importante oferta de obras y ciclos que animan la vida cultural de la capital.

Si hay algo de La Rioja que te hará recordar tu viaje es la explosión de sabores de su cocina. No dudes en entrar en cualquiera de los restaurantes que encontrarás por la zona antigua. Nuestra recomendación, Restaurante La Reja Dorada, situado en el corazón histórico de la ciudad; es el mejor lugar donde sentir cómo se dan la mano tradición, historia y buena mesa.

Visitas indispensables: Paseo por el Ebro y vista del skyline de la ciudad, El Revellín, restos de la antigua muralla que salvaguardó a la ciudad del asedio francés de 1521, El Espolón, y mucho más. Antes de llegar a la ciudad te recomendamos echarle un vistazo a su historia; puedes leer cosas interesantes de Logroño de forma breve y amena en la Wikipedia:
- enlace en español (si no sabes, es buen momento para empezar a conocerlo)
- enlace en inglés

ANGUIANO (NACHO'S VILLAGE!!)

Si te queda tiempo de nuevas sorpresas, puedes adentrarte en el mismo corazón de La Rioja descubriendo el valle del río Najerilla.

Comenzando en Nájera, capital de reyes en los S.X-XI, hasta llegar a Anguiano, que presume de un entorno natural espectacular y sus Riscos representan la puerta de entrada a la Sierra de la Demanda. En este pueblo se celebra cada 22 de julio la Danza de los zancos, una de las más llamativas manifestaciones de las tradiciones riojanas. Exinten varias teorias sobre su origen y el primer documento escrito que la cita le da una antigüedad de más de 400 años. Si adelantas tu viaje algunos días antes de la boda, es una buena oportunidad para conocerla. Río arriba, indispensable también la visita al Monasterio de Valvanera y su entorno natural.

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If you have time for new surprises, you can go deep into the heart of La Rioja, discovering the Najerilla river valley .

Beginning in Nájera, capital of kings in the 10th-11th centuries, to Anguiano, which boasts a spectacular natural environment and its Riscos represent the gateway to the Sierra de la Demanda. In this village, is held every July 22 the Dance of the Zancos, one of the most striking manifestations of Rioja traditions. There are several theories about its origin and the first written document that quotes, gives it an age of more than 400 years. If you come a few days before the wedding, is a good opportunity to meet the Danza. Upstream, the visit to the Monastery of Valvanera and its natural environment is also essential.

BEA (GIL)

Mis sugerencias:

- no pueden irse de logroño sin probar la tortilla del PORTO NOVO!! (POR DIOS!!)
- para comer: por supuesto, TASTAVIN.
Y como son guiris y tal fijo que el TAPELIA le mola. Ya sabes, arroces y paellas.
el PAN y VINO no está nada mal.
luego digo más, que me voy a comer

ISA

Bea, en la calle Laurel y en la calle San Juan hay miles de sitios con menús del día. No sé decirte los nombres, pero si paso algún día por allí, te los digo. De todas formas, les puedes indicar que en esas dos calles encontrarán sitios. Para desayunar, supongo que si van a hoteles podrán hacerlo allí, y si no, en cualquier bar de Logroño les darán un buen desayuno. Todo dependerá de dónde esté el hotel, no les vas a mandar a la otra punta de Logroño.

Ya te iré diciendo.

MARTOLA (Tú también puedes...)
Que te voy a contar yo......casa Paco, la Senda, el Matute, es que tengo comisión!!! no, es coña, pero la famili es la famili. el menu del dia, ya lo preguntare pero me imagino que unos 15-20 euros pero se come tan bien en todos ellos........ con comida supercasera y yo te puedo gestionar si quieres guardar mesa o lo que sea.....que hambre me está entrando!!!! para desayunar, los mejores croasanes a la plancha: la cafeta, en la rotonda del reloj de sol,que los sabados voy alli(así me va) y en cascajos una cafeteria muy grande de cristales (mañana te digo como se llama que ahora no me acuerdo) hacen unos desayunos de flipar (asi me va tambien), y es tienda de pan y dulces tambien......dejame pensar más....

NATALIA (MORENÍNNNN)


Natalia recommends two rural houses in the north of Spain:

1. In Somo (Cantabria), very close to Santander. It´s called "La Llosa".
2. On Playa de Berria, in Santoña (Cantabria). It´s called "Las Garzas".


MAITETXU

Ole la gracia del Neighbourhoodberoooooo!!!! También conocido como Barriobero, jajajajaja, flipadita me quedé.
Bea, no sé las ganas de innovar culinariamente que tendrán los portadores de los genes vikingos de tu futura descendencia, pero si se animan a comer morros o así, los mejores están el Casa Alfonso en la calle Villegas.
También en la calle San Juan hay cosicas majicas, un día fui con Rober y probé una cazuelica de caparrones de la abuela con caramelo de guindilla y crujiente de no sé qué en plan pìntxo, que estaba buenísimo en uno chiquitito que hay casi pegado al Mere, también aceptable tortilla, aunque justo al lado tienen también el Ofertón, 12 euros por 1 tortilla y 1 botella de vino, jajjajaja, es en serio.
Si les apetece ir de excursión, en Tafalla hay dos bares que participan con buen resultado en la semana del pintxo, el Rafael y el Nuevo Hostaff. A pesar de mis creencias, en Olite, aparte del castillo, hay visitas guiadas a bodegas, restaurantes varios y bares de pintxos con buena fama. Si quieres ya concretaré.
Por el momento, eso es lo que se me ocurre.
Seguiremos otro día.
Besotes a tod@s.

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For those who are fond of innovation in cooking, they will find some interesting suggestions in Travesía de San Juan, where delicatessens as "granny beans stew with chilli caramel", which won one of the tapas contests in la rioja, or "Riojan Flag", a delicate and colourful vegetable pudding. This same street offers one of the best places for tasting Spanish omelette, even in one of the two bars that offer them there is a bargain consisting of an omelette and a bottle of rioja for 12 Euros.
For more traditional and carnivorous cuisine, a good place is Casa Alfonso, in Villegas street, where a familiar treatment and quality food are secure.
If you feel like visiting Navarra, almost everywhere you will be able to find good tapas, there called pintxos, specially in Pamplona (mainly in the famous Estafeta street), Olite (where you can also visit a well-conserved medieval castle and some bodegas) and Tafalla (where you can try different pintxos which took part succesfully in a regional contest)

TITO

MENUS FOR LESS THAN 20 EUROS

-CANELA (address: Avda. de Portugal 1) menu of the day: 11euros Mon-Fri; 13,50 Weekends. They have a low-calory menu. Phone n. 941205930.

-CREPERIE PETITE BRETAGNE (address: Sagasta 6) menu of the day: 9,90. House special: crepes. Phone n. 941254747.

-EL PUCHERO (address: calle Oviedo 15) menu of the day: 10 euros; tasting menu: 15 euros. Phone n. 941585212

-EL REY DEL JAMON (address: Portales 45) typical Rioja food: 11 euros (potatoes with chorizo, Riojan cod, etc.). Phone n. 941263873

-EL TENEDOR (address: Siete Infates de Lara 14) menu of the day: 15 euros (fresh fish and vegetables). Phone n. 941510741

-LA BOLERA (address: Vélez de Guevara 19) menu of the day: 10 euros Mon-Fri; 12 euros Weekends; tasting menu: 15 euros (grilled meat and fish cooked in the oven)

-LA MEJILLONERA (address: Bretón de los Herreros 60) menu of the day: 11 euros. House specials: mussels (but they have many other things). Phone n. 941221834

-LATTINO (address: Avda. Portugal 25) menu of the day: 10 euros. Italian and Riojan food. Phone n. 941202500

-MANDA HUEVOS (address: Club Deportivo 84) menu of the day: 13,30 euros; tasting menu: (min. 4 people) 25 euros/person. House specials: eggs and stews. Phone n. 941584858

And, of course, any of the DRUNKEN DUCK pubs/restaurants. You can find them at drunkenduck.es and, in Logroño, in:

- Avda. Portugal 38, 941287161

-Parque San Adrian, los golem.

-Jorge Vigon 59

-Plaza Martinez Zaporta 5 (inside "cines moderno")

-Plaza Primero de Mayo 8.

-Vara de Rey 81 (great variety of bocadillos (baghettes), beers, saladas, sausages, and a menu of the day for 10,50 euros)

MENUS BETWEEN 20 Y 40 EUROS, more or less (some are also menus of the day)

-ASADOR CASA JOHN, address: Calle Vitoria 19, special menus: between 20 y 30 euros. Phone n. 941205720

-ASADOR KUPELA, address: Calle Vitoria 16, several options, cider-house menu: 28 euros, Kupela menu: 32 euros, menu of the day: 12,50. Phone n. 941213456

-ASADOR PAN Y VINO, address: Avda. de Portugal 23; traditional food, roast, and cider-house menu. Phone n. 941210426

-AVENIDA 21, address: Avda. de portugal 21; traditional but innovative food; group menu: 37 euros/person. Phone n. 941228602

-CASA EMILIO, address: Republica Argentina 8. Tasting menu: 40 euros; menu for children: 25 euros. ^Phone n. 941233141

-DAROCA PARADIS (RIOJAFORUM), address: San Millan 25. Tasting menu: 35 euros; executive´s menu: 28 euros. Phone n. 941271120

-EL ROCIO, address: Vara de Rey 55, menus for 32, 38 and 52 euros. Phone n. 941250182

-KUPPA, address: Plaza del Mercado 25; Riojan and Russian cuisine. Tasting menu: 25 euros. Phone n. 941274594

-LA HUERTA DE PRADOVIEJO, address: Siete Infantes de Lara 7. Menu of the day: 11 euros del menu; á la carte: around 30 euros. Phone n. 941511453

-LA MAFIA SE SIENTA A LA MESA, address: Garcia Morato 11, (5 minutes from Hotel Ciudad de Logroño) tasting menu: 30 euros; á la carta: between 15 and 20 euros. Phone n. 941272649

-LA REJA DORADA, address: Ruavieja 19, perfect for group meals. They have 6 menus ranging from 31 to 37 euros. Phone n. 941236980

-LORENZO, address: San Agustin 14, menu of the day: 13 euros; tasting menu: 33 euros. Phone n. 941210146

-MESON CID, address: Industria 9, tasting menu: 26 euros; well-known for its huge steaks (although it offers many other options) . Phone n. 941208841

-PLATERO Y YO, address: calle Oeste 7; 4 varieties of carpaccio, cutlets, menu of the day: 14 euros. Phone n. 941580919