You might think you need to leave the UK to get a taste of tapas and wine, but a new Rioja wine route coming to London will change your mind. Known as The Rioja Route, it will take you through some of the city’s best Spanish restaurants for authentic cuisine and wine tastings throughout October.
Whether you’re a Rioja enthusiast, a lover of Spanish food, or you’re just looking for a different dining experience, the brand-new wine route through London promises clinking glasses and rich flavours.
Why is it called The Rioja Route?
If you’re unfamiliar with Rioja, it’s Spain’s most celebrated wine region, located in the north of the country. If you get the opportunity to travel to Rioja, make sure to visit its lush vineyards (and of course try some of the renowned local wines).
In the meantime, you’ll get to taste the best wines from this region on The Rioja Route this October, without having to leave London at all.
What can you expect on this Rioja wine route through London?
The Rioja Route is a month-long activation across London’s best Spanish restaurants this October. You’ll get to visit hidden gems and rediscover old favourites, with restaurants such as Arros QD, Camino, El Pirata, Maresco, and Sabor offering limited-edition menus and an expanded wine selection throughout the month.
On every visit, you’ll encounter a different activity and taste exceptional wines you may never have tried before, be it through curated wine lists, food pairings, tasting flights, or exclusive events. Even if you’ve tried wines from Rioja before, you may not know that the region produces a whole variety of pours, from elegant reds to vibrant whites, rosés, and sparkling wines, so there’s plenty to discover on this route.
Drop by one or two participating restaurants or visit them all – you can explore The Rioja Route however suits you throughout October.
Exclusive tastings and dinners: what’s on across The Rioja Route
Beyond visiting the best Spanish restaurants in London and trying delicious Rioja wines on your own time throughout October, there are some special events you won’t want to miss.
On October 9, a guided tasting of six carefully selected Rioja wines paired with complementary pintxos will take place at Camino, led by the restaurant’s resident wine expert.
Also in the lineup is a relaxed tasting of ten Rioja wines and Spanish canapés at El Pirata on October 14, where you can even purchase bottles from the tasting at a special event price.
Michelin-starred Sabor will host an intimate Rioja wine dinner on October 19, pairing an exclusive menu with a selection of wines chosen to showcase the region’s diversity.
An intimate wine dinner will also be hosted by Master of Wine Mike Best at Maresco on October 20, pairing five Rioja wines with a curated menu inspired by the flavours of northern Spain. You’ll get to taste your way through the dishes and pours while getting to know the stories and winemaking traditions of the region.
On October 23, the final exclusive event in the lineup will be held at Arros QD. Here you’ll get to try six regional wines, each paired with light bites, in an immersive tasting guided by Head Sommelier Marina Díaz and Executive Chef Eduardo Salazar.
