La Rioja, as well as being the wine region par excellence of our country, can also boast of being one of the most important wine regions in Spain. a land with an exceptional gastronomic tradition. The traces of wine and the vine serve as a common thread to unite a whole host of typical Riojan products and preparations. The history of La Rioja is also reflected in its gastronomy: the influence of the proximity of Castile, Navarre and the Basque Country can be seen in many typical Riojan dishes, just as many products and dishes from La Rioja have influenced the cuisine of these other regions.
The tradition of the Camino de Santiago and the importance it gave to La Rioja as a market and food transit area; the mixture of the cultures of Christians, Jews and Muslims; or the knowledge gathered in the recipe books of the many convents in the region; have shaped an intense cuisine rich in flavours, based on the use of top quality products and respect for the gastronomic heritage of La Rioja, but also leaving room for creativity and the avant-garde.
Eating is, in short, another of the many excuses we have to visit La Rioja. So, with our palate and stomach as our compasses, today we will take a tour of some of the events, festivals and gastronomic fairs that we can enjoy in the region over the coming months.
1. Hello Summer. 22 June, Logroño
As part of the programme for the dissemination of the Wine Culture El Rioja y los 5 Sentidos, carried out by the organisation La Rioja Capital, this festival includes 30 activities for all ages, with wine and local gastronomy as the main focus. Hola Verano will this year include a Wine Fair and a La Rioja Food Market. The proposal also includes popular meals, tastings of typical products and wine tastings. In addition to the food, other types of activities will also be organised, such as workshops for children and musical performances, including a concert by the group Los Toreros Muertos.
2. Haro Wine Battle. 29 June, Haro
On 29 June, the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul, the Haro Wine BattleThis celebration was declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in 2011. The central event of this festival traditionally consisted of a pilgrimage from Haro to the hermitage of San Felices de Bilibiolocated on the steep Riscos de Bilibio, an event that has been celebrated since the 18th century. Over the years, the pilgrimage ended up becoming a real pitched battle in which the main objective is that no one ends up without getting soaked in wine. 1949 the year in which the celebration officially began to be called the Haro Wine Battle.. Of course, after the battle you have to recover your strength, so this festival is an ideal opportunity to try some of the most typical Riojan delicacies, such as snails and vine-shoot chops.
3. Quel Bread and Cheese Festival. End of July - beginning of August. Quel
The origin of these festivities dates back to 1479. During a plague epidemic that only 17 of the 50 inhabitants of the village survived, they decided to go out in procession to atone for their sins and put an end to the catastrophe. After the end of the deaths caused by the plague, the survivors decided to continue the procession as a way of thanking the saints, thus taking root as a local tradition. After the end of the march to the hermitage of the Holy Cross, a lunch of bread, cheese and wine is served, which the Brotherhood of the Transfiguration of the Lord throws to the people from the balconies.
4. Riojan Pepper Festival. End of October, Nájera
The Riojan pepper is an indigenous variety grown almost exclusively in the region.. It is a pepper with a pleasant and characteristic flavour and an intense red colour. These qualities make it a highly valued ingredient in the kitchen.
This pepper from the Riojan vegetable garden is the absolute star of the Riojan Pepper Festival, during which we can enjoy a multitude of tapas made with Riojan peppers. Stuffed, in batter, on toast, confit... The different local restaurants compete to win some of the prizes in the Concurso de Pinchos elaborados con Pimiento Riojano, so variety is guaranteed. To taste these peppers in the most traditional way, there is nothing better than to go to the tasting that takes place in the Plaza de España, where the traditional roasting and peeling of the Riojan pepper is shown, to be served afterwards with a fried egg.
5. Vegetable Gastronomic Days. End of April. Calahorra
The Vegetable Gastronomic Days are one of the main gastronomic events that take place in La Rioja year after year. During the event, which is traditionally held in the last week of April, different events take place in which the products of the Rioja market garden are the protagonists. Conferences, tastings, tapas routes based on local products, wine, oil and water tastings, exhibitions, concerts, theatre plays... There is even a fashion show featuring designs made from vegetables. These are some of the events taking place in Calahorra on the occasion of the Vegetable Gastronomic Days.
6. Roast Garlic Festival. Maundy Thursday. Arnedo
Since 1996, the town of Arnedo has been celebrating the Roast Garlic Festival every Maundy Thursday. Organised by the Asociación de Vecinos del Casco Antiguo de Arnedo, the main act of the event consists of the charcoal-grilling of some 8,000 stalks of young garlic and 2,000 eggswhich are then served for tasting among the attendees. Roasted garlic is one of the most representative ingredients of Arnedo's gastronomy and also one of the fundamental components of most of the dishes presented in the pincho competition organised in the town during these days.
7. Villa de Briones Medieval Days. 15th and 16th June. Briones
The Jornadas Medievales Villa de Briones celebrate their twenty-third edition this year 2019. This is a festivities declared of National Tourist Interest in 2012During these festivities, the town remembers and recreates its medieval past by travelling back in time to the 14th century. During these festivities, more than 700 local residents take part in 55 themed portals to reflect the customs and way of life of the period. Learn about the work of ancient blacksmiths, spinners, tanners or cheese makers; witness a medieval wedding, a joust or watch a trial of the Holy Inquisition are some of the activities that we can enjoy during these days. We will also have the opportunity to taste some of the most typical products of Riojan gastronomy, in the form of viands and delicacies of the time..
And, of course, we can also enjoy wine through some of the wine tourism experiences offered by Vivanco Cultura de Vino. Located at the very entrance to the village of Briones, here we can visit the Museum Vivanco of Wine Culturethe Winery Vivanco, enjoy a winecooking proposal in its restaurant or learn about wine through a wine tasting. wine tasting courseamong other things. many experiences.
