Scrapbook - Culinary Journey to La Rioja & Basque Country, Spain

I have fallen in love with everything Spain! Our Culinary Journey to La Rioja was so amazing - I can't wait to take you! We had a blast "tapa-hopping" - just like the locals, we went from one tapas bar to another, having a drink and a little bit to eat at one place, then moving on to the next tapas bar. Of course during our hands-on cooking classes at my dear friends restaurant, La Vieja Bodega we prepared many of my favorite Spanish-inspired recipes - including Paella with Chicken, Shellfish and Chorizo, Patatas Bravas, Sizzling Prawns with Sherry, Churros con Chocolate - the flavors match so perfectly with the sparkling and still wines from the region. Our home for the week, Hospedería Señorío de Casalarreina was the perfect place for relaxing and tasting wines with the fabulous local winemakers.

We toured the walled medieval city of Laguardia, we visited Bodegas Dinastía Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture near the town of Briones, and spent an entire day eating, drinking and exploring the seaside town of San Sebastián in the Basque Country, not to mention tastings at olive oil producers and many many famous bodegas (wineries). And there is so much more to this wonderful region!