A Daily DRINK Through Spain with la Vuelta a España

Regular EAT readers will know that I am quite fond of the Tour de France, tweeting the route with a daily DRINK. Yesterday, la Vuelta a España began – Spain’s Grand Tour, and their equivalent to France’s le Tour. While the route changes each year, the format of the race stays the same with the appearance of the passage through the mountain chain of the Pyrenees, and the finish in the Spanish capital Madrid.

This 67th Vuelta a España is made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,360 kilometres. 22 teams of nine men each started yesterday’s team time trial around Pamplona. I will follow their trail through northern Spain with a glimpse of the local drink customs and traditional tastes. Salud!

Day 1. Saturday, August 18. The Team Trial in Pamplona was just north of Navarra’s vineyards. All wine producers are within 30-90 minutes of the great city. #Vuelta

Day 2. Sunday, August 19. Today’s #Vuelta stage ended in Viana, a popular place for the digestif Pacharán – fr soaking blackthorn sloe berries along with coffee beans & vanilla pod in anisette

Day 3. Monday, August 20. la #Vuelta began today in Faustino, home to Bodegas Faustino, est. 1861. They produce wines from Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano & Viura

Day 4. Tuesday, August 21. Today’s #Vuelta headed south to Rioja, home to some of the most majestic and long lived Tempranillo wines in the world

Day 5. Wednesday, August 22. Today’s #Vuelta circled around Logroño, the major centre for Rioja & famed site for over 50 taperías located within 4 city centre blocks

Day 6. Thursday, August 23. La #vuelta led off in Tarazona today, nestled in between well known Spanish wine regions of Castilla y León, La Rioja & Navarra

Day 7. Friday, August 24. La #Vuelta began today’s stage in Lleida, in the Costers del Segre DO & where Macabeo, Parellada, Garnacha & Tempranillo are main grapes

Day 8. Saturday, August 25

Day 9. Sunday, August 26. Today’s la #vuelta finished in mightly Barcelona, where Vermut en grifo (Spanish Vermouth on tap) is the rage.

Day 10. Monday, August 27. Rest Day. Siesta!

Day 11. Tuesday, August 28. La #Vuelta finished today’s stage in Sanxenxo, Galicia – the prime area for growing Albariño, Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra, Monterrei & Valdeorras

Day 12. Wednesday, August 29. Today’s #Vuelta riders began in Cambados, also known as the Capital of Albariño and founding city of the Albariño festival.

Day 13. Thursday, August 30. For the 3rd day la #Vuelta took place solely in Galicia. In addition to wine, Aguardiente de Orujo is common – distilled from grape pomace

Day 14. Friday, August 31. Today’s #Vuelta riders ended in Bierzo, in the province of Leon. DO reds are mainly Mencia & Garnacha, & whites are Doña Blanca & Godello

Day 15. Saturday, September 1.Castilla y León is a Spanish geographical indication for Vino de la Tierra wines located in the region of Castile and León. Vino de la Tierra is 1 step below DO.

Day 16. Sunday, September 2. La #Vuelta started in the Leon countryside of La Robla, famous site of the luxury train ride renown for the high quality of local food and wine served.

Day 17. Monday, September 3. La #Vuelta began today in Gijon – known for its many ciderhouses, and featuring a well-travelled “Cider Trail”

Day 18. Tuesday, September 4. Rest Day

Day 19. Wednesday, September 5. #Vuelta riders started day 19 in Santander, where locals drink Txakoli – a slightly sparkling, dry aperitif white w high acidity & low alc

Day 20. Thursday, September 6. #Vuelta riders finished today’s stage in Valladolid – where proud locals drink Rueda’s white wines and Ribera del Duero’s red wines

Day 21. Friday, September 7. Riders began today in Peñafiel, the town considered to be at the heart of the Ribera del Duero wine region. #Vuelta

Day 22. Saturday, September 8.

Day 23. Sunday, September 9. The final day of #Vuelta ends today in Madrid. Countless pitchers of sangria will be consumed – oranges, lemons, gaseosa (sparkling) + sugar