Navarre
The Navarre region is situated in the north east of the country, south of Pamplona, its capital. The Pyrenees are its backdrop with its lush vegetation and as you go further south the dry planes and a Mediterranean climate take over. Local produce from the region is distinct and to be tasted!
There is the special sheep's milk cheese Roncal, the mountain slopes and the well irrigated planes from the Ebro river produce artichokes and the famous Navarre asparagus. The pilgrims route to Santiago di Compostela passed through Navarre and influenced the growth of the region. Many inns, monasteries, churches and chapels were built as a result not to mention the growth of wine making in the monasteries to quench the thirst of the thirsty pilgrims.
Exporting of Navarre wine began in the 14th Century when casks were shipped to Normandy and later on to the then New World, and so began the appreciation of the distinct Navarre rosé wine. There are some very important Co-operative Bodegas in Navarre as well as some equally successful independent family run Bodegas. Many of the Bodegas invested heavily in the 1980's to bring about a strong presence in the wine world. Navarre sees red and rosé wines as their most successful and gives them their fullest attention. There are plenty of wine villages to visit, all steeped in wine culture. Sites to see range from the remains of a Roman wine cellar, a church built accordingly using mortar that was mixed with wine, to medieval carvings depicting the grape harvest. Of course there are the Bodegas to visit from the modern and elegant high tech to the smaller family run Bodegas all very welcoming and proud of their well-made wines!
Great Wines of Northern Spain
22 - 29 October 2007, 13 - 20 October 2008
