Nice article on La Rioja region on epicurious.com
 

http://www.epicurious.com/features/c..._travel/rioja/

(I posted this earlier today but forgot to specify Spain as a topic . . . like I just almost did AGAIN! Sorry about the re-post, but I thought it would be more useful this way.)

Very comprehensive and interesting article. I enjoy the Rioja wines but admit to having little experience with cuisine.
Thanks for posting.

Speaking of La Rioja,

Two days ago King Juan Carlos officially "inaugurated" the spectacular titanium, Frank Gehry designed City of Wine hotel-pavilion complex for the Marqués de Riscal vineyards in tiny Elciego in the Rioja, Alava province (Basque Country).
The 43 room hotel is managed by the Starwood Luxury Collection and has a wine therapy spa (vinoterapia) brought from Les Sources de Caudalie at the Smith Lafitte vineyards in Bordeaux.-Martillac. The hotel room rates start at a heafty 300 euros a night, making it the 2nd most expensive hotel in the Basque Country after the María Cristina in San Sebastián. The hotel's restaurant is supervised by the Michelin star chef Francis Paniego of El portal de Echaurren (fanatastic restaurant!) in Ezcaray.
See the building here:
http://tinyurl.com/y7o4df

La Rioja deserves a visit not only for its wines but for its wonderful food as well as its scenic beauty, particularly of the little fortified hill towns nestled below the Sierra de Cantabria range, such as Laguardia and Labastida.

You can find great cuisine virtually everywhere, from small family run inns, such as Ariño in Labastida and Venta Goyo in Viniegra de Abajo, down in the beautiful mountain and trout fishing country of the Sierra de la Demanda to gourmet fine dining with exceptional wine lists and tasting classes, such as the Venta Montcalvillo in Daroca de Rioja. It's really impossible not to have a great meal in the Rioja.
Both the Rioja Alta and the Alavesa make a great destination for food and wine lovers, particularly at this time of year when the fall colors are at their peak.

I am living with a guy from Logroño and he just brought back a ton of amazing wines from the fiestas. His family has something to do with vineyards there. . . I am still unclear about it, but is seems they own a few. Does life rule? Indeed.

Great article! Thanks for posting Molloy95.