128. The Wine Region of the Rioja

Rating:  ☆☆☆1/2

Recommended by:   Laurel and Warner Andrews

Author:   Ana Fabiano

Genre:  Non-Fiction, Travel, History

304 pages, published September 22, 2009

Reading Format:  Book

 

Summary

The Rioja is a region in northern Spain which produces some of the world’s best wines.  The Wine Region of the Rioja takes you on a journey through the history, culture, geography and people of this beautiful part of the world. Filled with gorgeous photographs, this is the only wine book endorsed by the Riojan government.  To write this book, Ana Fabiano dug into Castilian books, conducted interviews with local experts, and spoke with generations of winemakers.  The result is a book that provides a historical overview of the area along with up-to-the-moment information on each valley, including its bodegas (what the Spanish call tasting rooms), grape varietals, wines, and producers. To enhance enjoyment of these wonderful wines from the Rioja, Fabiano provides a food section with recipes and pairings.

 

My Take

I was lent this book by friends prior to a trip to Spain.  Our plan was to hike the Camino de Santiago de Compostela and then reward ourselves with four days in the Rioja wine region (wine countries are my husband Scot’s favorite place to vacation).   Reading The Wine Region of the Rioja, I learned a lot about the area, its wine, its history, its food and its people.

This book was a very good introduction and helped me plan the bodegas (tasting rooms) that we wanted to visit.  I enjoyed reading this book and it enhanced our trip.  If you plan to visit the beautiful Rioja, then give it a read before you go.  for anyone looking to find out more about the wine region of the Rioja. Highlights some of the more famous bodegas, as well as provides a brief history of the area.