When you walk the Camino you go along well-known wine regions in France, Spain or Portugal. The Camino Francés is the most popular and traditional of the Caminos and it starts in French Basque country, which stretches about 800 km to Santiago de Compostela. If you are a wine lover, both Camino Francés and Camino Portugués can become your own paradise to taste the most delicious wines.

Here you are some suggestions about the what you can enjoy in each part of the Camino.

1. ST JEAN PIED DE PORT– IROULÉGUY WINE REGION

In this region you can taste French Basque country wines as  Domaine Arretxea, Domaine Brana, Vignerons D´lrouléguy, Domaine Etxegaraya or Domaine Ilarria.

2. PAMPLONA– NAVARRA WINE REGION

You can visit some wineries on the way if you ask for an appointment ( Príncipe de Viana, Castillo de Monjardin or Palacio Murazabal) and enjoy  El Chaparral de Vega Sindoa, Alzania Selection, Esencia Monjardin or muscatel wine  Ochoa.  A top ten of  good inexpensive wine ( less than 7 euros  a bottle) would be:

– 1 Pulso
– Artazuri
– Auzolan Rosado
– Castillo de Monjardín Chardonnay
– Fincas de Unzu Rosado
– Gran Feudo Rosado sobre Lías
– Inurrieta Mediodía
– Ochoa Calendas Rosado
– Orvalaiz Crianza
– Señorío de Sarría Muscatel

3. LAGUARDIA– LA RIOJA WINE REGION

A Rioja wine is essential when you walk along this region,tempranillo grape (red wine) is the king here. There are so many and so good ones that it´s impossible to mention or taste them all. Some suggestion for less than 8 euros a bottle can be:

– Dinastía Vivanco Crianza.

– Muga Rosado

– LZ

– Hacienda López de Haro Reserva.

– Obalo Joven

– Palacios Remondo La Vendimia

– Ramón Bilbao Crianza

– Sierra Cantabria Selección

– Viña Eguía Crianza

– Viña Real Plata Crianza

Don´t miss visiting some wineries: darien, Baigorri, Lopez Heredia, Muga…

4. BURGOS– RIBERA DEL DUERO WINE REGION

Tempranillo  again  is a good option. This red wine is one of my favorite. There is a great variety, for all tastes and pockets. My preferences (for less than 9 euros  a bottle) are:

– Emilio Moro Finca Resalso

– Entrelobos

– Flores de Callejo

– Hito

– La Planta

– Melior

– Tamaral Roble

– Tinto Figuero 4 Meses

– Viña Sastre Roble

– Vizcarra Senda de Oro Roble

5. LEON– BIERZO WINE REGION

This is the region of mencía wine, which is also red. I like Dominio de Tares, Pétalos del Bierzo, Capricho Val de Paxariñas, Balorio, Art  2009, Cepas Viejas or Paixar.

6. GALICIA– VALDEORRAS

Godello is the main grape and wine. My favorite wines: A Sorte de  Soro, Muradella Blanco, Godeval  or Pedrouzos.

7. GALICIA– RIBEIRA SACRA

There is a host of white and red varietals. Albariño is the most popular white wine and Amandi the most popular red wine. I like  Rectoral de Amandi, Régoa,  Viña Regueiral.

 

8. GALICIA – RIBEIRO

Ribeiro is a popular and inexpensive  white wine. You can enjoy  Viña Costeira, Pousadoira,  Norte y Sur, Máxima Casanova, San Clodio, Pousadoira.

 

9. RIAS BAIXAS – SANTIAGO

When you arrive in Santiago, the wine you will see everywhere is mainly albariño, which pairs perfectly with specialities like Pulpo a feira ( octopus drizzle in olive oil and smoked Spanish paprika). Tapas bars usually serve wine in pretty ceramic cups.  Albariño is a lovely, bright, zesty, white wine. I suggest  Paco y Lola, Condes de Albarei,  Martín Codax,  Mar de Frades or  Veigas de Padriñan.

I encourage you to make your own list when you walk the Camino.

Cheers and Buen Camino!

Anxo Saco