Stars, wine and style at the Barrio de la Estación Tasting

The fifth edition of the Barrio de la Estación Tasting did not disappoint. Once again, the event lived up to the 3,500 demanding visitors who snapped up all the tickets before the end of last year. Consolidated as one of the most important wine tourism events in Spain – recognized with the 2023 Verema Award for the Best Wine Tourism Project – attendees experienced an authentic immersion in the most traditional and demanding world of wine.

In total, they enjoyed twelve wines, two per winery, and seven ‘dishes’ that, although called that in the environment, were elaborate creations by great chefs who offered the highest gastronomic quality in the history of the tasting, illuminated by six Michelin stars. .

Without a doubt, an event focused on leisure, but wrapped in a wine and gastronomic quality that surprised the most demanding visitor. Something that, added to the privileged setting offered by the century-old wineries, their careful architecture and gardens, make this event a true pleasure for the senses.

The visitor also enjoyed another privilege: traveling to the jarrera town by train from Logroño, something that has not been possible for years. Renfe enabled special vehicles to travel to La Cata, putting six convoys into circulation, three in each direction, between Logroño and Haro to facilitate mobility for many of those who took part in this event.

The pairings

The twelve emblematic wines of Barrio de la Estación were harmonized with the Michelin-starred dishes of Riojans Íkaro, Nublo and Ajonegro, as well as El Serbal from Cantabria, and Cobo Estratos and Erre from Roca, both with Michelin stars in Castilla y León. , in proposals that convinced attendees by praising local products from an innovative perspective.

The beautiful marinade of El Serbal with the wines of CVNE Monopole Clásico Reserva 2020 and Imperial Reserva 2019; Íkaro’s Ecuadorian pork sandwich with Gómez Cruzado’s ‘Viña Dorana 2017’ and ‘Montes Obarenes Magnum 2017′ wines; the Castilian-Leonese morucha beef empanada with smoked cherry chutney, with the wines of La Rioja Alta, SA Viña Ardanza 2017’ and Viña Arana Gran Reserva 2016; Nublo’s marinated sow breast toast with the wines of Bodegas Bilbaínas, Viña Pomal La Vicalanda Blanco 2022 and Viña Pomal Gran Reserva 2015; the cold sweet and sour beef brioche from Cobo Estratos paired with the wines of Muga Torre Muga 2019 and Flor de Muga Rosado 2022; and the Riojan caldereta, a mix of Mexican and Riojan culture from the Ajonegro restaurant, was fused with the wines of Bodegas Roda 2020 and Roda2019.

To which was added the cuisine of Alberto Toribio from the Delicious Gastronomía catering with a paella, in addition to the updated version of the Mozart cake by master pastry chef and chocolatier Juan Ángel Rodrigálvarez.

And to end the day and on the way to the parking lot, several stands selling gastronomic delights bid farewell to the visitor: the Riojan family business Gerardo Sobron Martínez brought flavors of yesteryear with its sausages. DeQuelia offered a sample of the best organic seasonal cherries; Aubocassa distributed aromatic and fresh Majorcan olive oil; There was Iberian acorn-fed pâté and French fries with paprika and spring salt from Celebona, and a cheese tasting from the jarrera company Los Cameros.

In short, an authentic gastronomic feast of delicacies could hardly be enjoyed together and in an enclave as idyllic as the century-old Barrio de la Estación.

Other activities

The wineries offered different activities during the day. Gómez Cruzado gave three passes of a Tasting of White Varietals.

For its part, CVNE continuously offered an experience called Tunnel of Aromas. Muga conveyed to visitors the importance of choosing materials when making wines, and showed how his master cuber and three of his own coopers make their own barrels with the best French and American oak, in the Cooperage activity: dressing and toasting of the barrel, which was offered five times throughout the day.

At Bodegas Bilbaínas Viña Pomal, visitors were able to admire El degüelle, a visual spectacle and an excellent example of craftsmanship and know-how in the traditional production of sparkling wines. It was on the Santiago Ugarte Icon Ship, which hosted three screenings.

La Rioja Alta SA organized five rounds of artisanal racking by candlelight, in which attendees enjoyed the magic of racking their barrels by candlelight.

At the top of Vizcaya Avenue, Bodegas Roda hosted the Pairings Photography Exhibition, a cycle of exhibitions started in 2007 based on the collection of the Foto Colectania Foundation.

A sum of culture, heritage, gastronomy and good wine that was once again greatly enjoyed by the grateful visitors and, once again, left the good memories expected.