Itinerary for The Wine Society Dining Club. Spain 2016

Transcription

1 The Wine Society Dining Club Rioja & Ribera del Duero 5 th 9 th June 2016

2 Itinerary for The Wine Society Dining Club Day One Sunday 5th June 2016 Spain 2016 Meet at London Heathrow Terminal Three for check in for flight BA466 for Bilbao which departs at Land at at Bilbao airport. Transfer to Rioja by private coach for late lunch (Spanish time!) at Amezola de la Mora. One of the most popular of the Wine Society suppliers, they have 60 hectares in the region of Rioja Alta. Their wines are attractive and supple with a distinctive vanilla undertone, as we discover as we enjoy them paired with lunch. Late afternoon, we continue to check into our Four Star Hotel in Haro. This evening, we will enjoy a tasting of some wines from other Wine Society Rioja Suppliers, that we do not have time to visit. As Riojan lunches, tend to be leisurely and hearty, we will enjoy a good selection of Tapas with the tasting this evening. (NB - Should you prefer to treat yourself to a full meal this evening after the tasting & tapas, there are several restaurants in Haro within walking distance of the Hotel. Non included) Overnight Four Star Hotel, Haro Meals: L & D Day Two Monday 6th June 2016 Buffet Breakfast. Our first tasting visit this morning is to Wine Society supplier, La Rioja Alta which is one of the most traditional producers and was founded in 1890 by a consortium of five families. Their award winning wines justly have a faithful clientele for their silky, elegance which we taste this morning. We continue to the boutique estate of Contino. Owned by the charming Jesus Madrazo and CVNE, they produce world Class wines from their own vineyards. As well as their seductive Tempanillo dominant Rioja, they are interesting for their use of Graciano, from their driest part of the vineyards, which gives complexity, spice and depth to their wines. We taste a range of the Contino wines, before lunch at the estate, which will be paired with wines from Wine Society Supplier CVNE. It was founded in 1879, they are one of the most influential Rioja Estates, and are famed for their distinct styles of Imperial and Vina Real wines. After lunch, there is the opportunity to visit the world famous wine museum of Vivanco, where there is a fascinating collection of artefacts, art and exhibits about the history of wine making. If you would prefer to relax back at the hotel or explore Haro, you can choose to do that instead of the museum. (NB the museum is not a guided tour to enable everyone to visit at their own pace and level of interest, but there are audio guides available if required). Haro is a sleepy small town, but is the heart of the Riojan Wine Community and was where many French winemakers fled whilst the phylloxera epidemic raged in France. Today, there is a small square surrounding the Bandstand which is home to a selection of wine shops and Cafés to indulge in people watching (or maybe a glass of the Basque Liqueur Pacharan!). This evening, is free time for dinner, and we will give you on tour a list of recommended restaurants.

3 The food of Rioja is rustic but uses quality products found in the region. It is a very agricultural area with a wide array of vegetables, which appear in their wonderful hearty vegetable stews, as well as two classic Rioja Dishes such as Patatas a la Riojana, where paprika infused chorizo is used to flavour the potatoes and Alubias - a comforting white bean stew made with "caparrón" beans. Meals will often begin with a selection of Tapas including the glorious roasted red peppers or slices of Morcilla - Black pudding from the mountains. Lamb is king of the meats in the region and is prepared in a variety of ways from simply slow roasted in a wood fired oven or baby lamb chops grilled over vine shoots - the ideal pairing for the Tempranillo grape of Rioja. Overnight Four Star hotel, Haro. Meals : B & L Day Three Tuesday 7th June 2016 Buffet Breakfast and Check out. This morning, we remain in Haro for our last two visits in Rioja, both long standing Wine Society suppliers. Our first tasting visit of the day is to the very traditional Lopez de Heredia. Their iconic cellars are located in in the Barrio del Estación, the old railway quarter of Haro a popular location for wine exporters during the phylloxera crisis in France. Their wines have a very distinct style as we discover during our tasting. We cross the road to Muga, which was founded in 1932 and is still run by the same family today. One of the continuing factors for their quality wines is their attention to details with their oak and barrels, to the point of having their own in house cooperage. As well as their Tempranillo dominant reds, which have great aging potential, they also make a beautiful white rioja from Viura. We will taste these wines over lunch at the cellars. After lunch, we say goodbye to Tim, who returns to the UK and we continue south to the region of Ribera del Duero (journey time approx. 1.5 hrs), where we check into our next hotel where we will be staying for two nights. This evening, we will visit Condado de Haza, one of the estates owned by the Alejandro Fernandez family, where over dinner, we will enjoy wines from all four of their estates. This will include the smooth Alenza from Condado de Haza and of course Pesquera, which was instrumental in attracting the world s attention to this region, with its high altitude vineyards and ideal climatic conditions. Overnight Five Star Hotel, Sardon de Duero. Meals : B, L & D Day Four Wednesday 8th June 2016 Buffet Breakfast. This morning, we head west to the cellars of Wine Society supplier Bodegas Mauro. When the D.O. classification of Ribera del Duero was set up in the early 1980s, the location of where Mauro's vineyards are situated was not recognised. This gives them the benefit of being associated with Ribera del Duero, but more free for their winemaking choices. Their wines are deep, dark and bursting with nervous energy. In the tasting, we will discover how the addition of a small part of Syrah adds to the complexity of their wine. We continue to Valladolid which is the capital of Castilla y León. Historically Valladolid was the very important in Spain, it was the site of the Spanish Court during the Middle Ages and ended in the 17th Century, when it was moved to Madrid. The explorer, Fernando de Magallanes came here to discuss his navigation plans, it was home to Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quijote and it is the place where Christopher Columbus died. Today, Valladolid has gained a modern sprawling suburbs, but the old historical centre is a lovely place to stroll and find a café or restaurant over lunch. This afternoon there will be the opportunity to visit the Castle in Penafiel which dominates the skyline in the region but if you prefer to relax at the hotel, the coach can drop you off at the hotel instead.

4 Early evening, we have a visit to the cellars of Abadia Retuerta, the wine estate where our Hotel is situated at the beautiful 12th Century monastery. Abadia Retuerta exploded onto the UK wine scene in 2005, by winning the Best Red Wine in the World Category at the International Wine Challenge. They carried out in depth analysis of their vineyards, and vinify many of the parcels separately. As Mauro, their vineyards are located just outside the D.O. so they are able to produce other varieties including a superb Syrah and peppery Cabernet Sauvignon as well as the classic Tempranillo. We enjoy these wines tonight, paired with a tasting menu at the Hotel s One Star Michelin restaurant, which is prepared by their chef Pablo Montero. Overnight Five Star Hotel, Sardon de Duero. Meals B & D Day Five Thursday 9th June 2016 Buffet Breakfast & Check Out. This morning, we head to Wine Society suppliers, Borhorquez to the east side of the Classification, where we taste their wines this morning. Afterwards, we continue for our last visit to Perez Pasquas, a family run Wine Society supplier, who own 135 hectares in Ribera del Duero. Most of which is planted to Tempranillo (which is locally called Tinta del Pais) with a small amount of Cabernet as well. We enjoy their wines over lunch at the estate. Afterwards, we continue to Madrid Airport to check in for flight BA463 which departs at and lands at London Heathrow Terminal Five at Hotel Descriptions: Los Agustinos, Haro Four Star This historical building dating from 1373 is situated in the heart of the wine town of Haro in Rioja. It is ideally located as three of our wine visits are in Haro. Throughout its long history, it has been a garrison, a prison, a hospital and a convent. The rooms have been recently renovated and are decorated in a traditional Riojan style with heavy furniture, with slightly chintzy curtains. All rooms have a safe, hair dryer and free WIFi. Some rooms have showers only rather than bath tubs. The rooms form the sides of the original central cloisters, which have now been covered with glass and is a relaxing bar area. Le Domaine, Sardon de Duero Five Star The Abadia Retuerta estate with its 12 th Century Abbey is the location for this comfortable Five Star hotel, situated not far from the Duero River. We have reserved Classic Rooms for this tour, which all enjoy views over the vineyards. The rooms are decorated in a contemporary but relaxing style and all have baths and showers. Each room has a safe and there is free internet access. There are two superior rooms (which are slightly bigger and have balconies) available for a supplement of 70 per person in twin / double (for both nights so supplement on the tour price for a couple would be 140). These will be allocated upon request in order of receipt of registration for the tour.

5 Price per person: 1749 (based on sharing twin/ double) Supplement for Sole Traveller in Double Room 400. Deposit: 550 per person Tour includes: Return Scheduled British Airways Flights from Heathrow Bilbao & Madrid Heathrow (all taxes included) Four nights in standard rooms at hotels as shown with buffet breakfasts. Seven meals as shown. At wine estates the wines are included at the discretion of the estates at restaurants half a bottle of wine per person is included plus table water and coffee. No other drinks are included. Air conditioned coach for the itinerary. All wine visits and tastings as per the itinerary Tim Sykes, Head of Wine Society Buying team, as Wine Guide for the Rioja section. Cindy-Marie Harvey as Tour Manager No flight discount: If you would like to book your own flights, please confirm this at time of registration. We will apply a discount of 110 to the tour price (per person). This means that you will be meeting the tour at Bilbao airport on the first day to greet the BA466. On the last day, you will end the tour at Madrid airport at (Check in for BA463). Please be aware that these flight times are schedule to change by the airline, and we cannot be held responsible for any changes that may affect your own travel plans pre / post tour if you take the no flight discount. Also note that currently the BA flights depart from Terminal Three but return to Terminal Five. Confirming the final price: This price quoted above is dependent on the tour being fully sold out with 30 participants. As past tours, have sold out with a waiting list, we expect it to be the same for Should the final number of participants, be less than 30, then you will be advised at time of paying the balance of the per person price as it would differ slightly, but on past experience of take up by members, we do not expect this to occur. The final price will be determined by the confirmation 12 weeks before departure of the final numbers. The final balance based on that figure is due 12 weeks before departure and in order to be fair to all members and not have to change the price to the rest of the party, no refund for cancellation will be given after 12 weeks before departure. Extending pre / post tour: If you would prefer to take the later flight out to Bilbao, then we recommend that you take the no flight discount and fly out the day beforehand. Bilbao is an interesting city and of course there is the famous Guggenheim museum. There are also quite a few excellent (some Michelin Starred) restaurants. If you would like us to recommend Hotels for either Bilbao or Madrid, please do contact Cindy-Marie on cmh@lovewinefood.com. Whilst we are happy to make these reservations for you, we would charge a small admin fee. We would recommend that you book with the hotels on line reservation system directly, as you would get a better price for one room and save the admin fee (which is money that could be spent on a nice bottle of Rioja!) How to Book: This private wine tour for members of the Wine Society Dining Club is organised by Love Wine Food Ltd (Company Registration Number ). As you will see in the Chairman s letter, we expect this tour to be over-subscribed as on previous tours, and so the first step is to register for the ballot.

6 1 By on 5 th January 2016: To register for the ballot, your details to Cindy-Marie Harvey at Love Wine Food Ltd on cmh@lovewinefood.com Please provide your name(s) and contact telephone number and if you require a twin, double or Double room for Sole Occupancy room and if you will be taking the group flights. At this stage, you do not need to complete a booking form or pay a deposit. Please note that you can also register by phone on , but as the Love Wine Food office will be closed from 23 rd December 2015 until 3 rd January 2016, registrations are preferred. If you do not have , and would prefer to send your registration by post, please send to Love Wine Food Ltd, 53 Chapel Street, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3DY. However, given the postal service over the festive season, we strongly recommend that if you do send it by post, that you also call as no allowance can be made for non-receipt of registrations. 2 Once the ballot is closed on 5 th January 2016, the Committee will confirm the list of successful members. By 14 th January 2016, Love Wine Food will have confirmed by to all members who registered if successful or otherwise and sent full booking Terms and conditions. At this point, you will be asked to complete a booking form either over the phone or by as you prefer and pay the non-refundable deposit. Important: If you are planning to be away between 11th 14 th January, please ensure that you advise Love Wine Food and give a mobile contact for those dates, so that we can ensure your places are safe with deposit to confirm. Financial Cover: At Love Wine Food Ltd, we take the protection of our client s money seriously. When you book, you will be sent details of the FFI (Financial Failure Insurance) that Love Wine Food Ltd has in place which covers all monies you pay. If you are taking the group flights, then these will be covered under the ATOL licence. Any questions, please do contact Cindy-Marie on cmh@lovewinefood.com