The Rioja region hosts a wine fight. Yes, we said wine fight.

Each June 29, thousands of people travel to the heart of the Rioja region for the Haro Wine Festival. The tiny town of Haro comes alive with festivities, the most famous of all is the La Batalla de Vino de Haro, the Wine Fight. Festival goers climb to the top of a mountain 3 miles away for a wine-fuelled party with wine filled water guns, sprayer trucks, buckets of wine and backpack wine sprayers.

Drink your Rioja now, or cellar to celebrate later

There are four classifications of Rioja: Rioja, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva. Ranging from Riojas, which may have been aged for only a few months to Gran Reservas, Riojas made in exceptional growing years. Those younger Riojas can be enjoyed right away (say, after a hard bike ride), whereas you can save a Gran Reservas for several years and bring out for a special occasion. And while those nifty wine bicycle holders are fun to look at, we don’t recommend tucking a Gran Reservas in there (a Rioja should be just fine though).

You can enjoy a Rioja Wine of the Year at the fraction of the price

If you’re wondering just how good a Rioja can be, the Cune Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva 2004 was named Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year in 2013. This Rioja can be picked up for only $63 a bottle. whereas the 2015 wine of the year is $195 a bottle.

Because Rioja is more than just fabulous red wines

Here’s a fun Rioja fact we bet you didn’t know! The region produces those world famous oaky and fruity reds, but also unoaked white wines similar in taste to albarino and verdejo. The Telegraph names the maturana tinto (made from the Mazuelo grape) as a wine to discover this year.

The Rioja’s youthful update is worth raising a glass to

Remember how we said that the Rioja is thousands of years old? Recently the Regulatory Council for the La Rioja Denomination of Origin updated the labels and logo for the Rioja with the aim of attracting younger connoisseurs.

Pure Adventures’ newest Spain bike tour takes cyclists on a scenic and delicious escape throughout the La Rioja region of Spain. This self guided bicycle tour in Spain is a truly original, off the beaten track, experience of wine and food in the old world of rural Espana. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on other tour announcements. Looking for travel inspiration? You’ll find it on Instagram.

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The French region of Burgundy offers visitors a little bit of everything in one breathtaking destination.  Teeming with rich history and vibrant culture and boasting beautiful landscapes just waiting to be explored and discovered, Burgundy provides all the charm and elegance that the world has come to expect from the country of France.  But beyond all of the quaint villages, exciting events and unforgettable sights and experiences, perhaps the most memorable part of Burgundy is the incredible gastronomy of the region.  If a holiday there is in your near future, here are 5 foods you’ll want to try during your stay.

Beef Bourguignon

This well-known beef stew type meal is incredibly popular throughout the Burgundy region.  It’s prepared with extremely high quality meat, braised in red wine and stewed with fresh vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, onions and garlic.  The stew is seasoned with a combination of spices including thyme, parsley and bay leaves.  The mouthwatering result is simply spectacular and will most certainly have you reaching for seconds.

Coq Au Vin

This Burgundy specialty consists of a free range chicken that is delicately braised and cooked in sauce made from full-bodied red wine.  The key to this recipe is the quality of poultry used, which is notable for its tender and tasty meat.  While there are a number of varying recipes for the dish, the one thing that remains consistent among all of them is the use of delicious Burgundy ingredients and the preparation method of marinating the chicken in red wine for an entire day before cooking.  The accompanying sauce may contain a variety of different spices and ingredients, from garlic, rosemary, parsley and bay leaves to mushrooms and celery, but no matter what the combination the flavorful result is unforgettable.

Escargots de Bourgogne

This delectable dish, made from Burgundy land snails, is widely known as one of France’s most refined delicacies.  The snails are prepared in a sauce of garlic and parsley butter, making the naturally chewy shell dweller incredibly tender and giving it a mouthwatering flavor.  Escargots de Bourgogne is traditionally served warm in a small casserole dish.  Other chefs prefer to serve the snails in their shells.  Regardless of how they’re served, Burgundy snails are in great demand and are widely exported.  Once you give this delicious plate a taste, you’ll understand why.

Mushrooms

Almost as plentiful as the wines of the Burgundy region are the variety of mushrooms produced there.  There are 150 different varieties found throughout the area, including the most sought after truffles.  Depending on the season, you can find a number of mushroom dishes on the menus at just about every restaurant around Burgundy, each featuring different flavors and tastes, but all splendidly delicious.  Be cautioned, however, that you should leave the mushroom harvesting to the experts, as many of them are highly poisonous.  Stick with those prepared by chefs or sold in local markets to enjoy these tasty little fungi.

Ile Flottante (Floating Island)

A dish of many names, but always delicious, this dessert is among the most delectable in the world.  Ile Flottante is also sometimes called Oeufs à la neige, which means “eggs in snow” due to its preparation which involves whipped egg whites combined with sugar and vanilla extract and then poached, and served atop a delicious custard.  There are a few different variations of the dessert but whichever way you try it, the end result is sure to please even the most finicky sweet tooth.

Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, history, culture or romance, you’ll find it all in Burgundy on a Pure Adventures tour.  But to truly experience the beauty and charm of this French region, you must taste the delectable food prepared there.  In a region where food and wine has become a true art form, visitors can enjoy unforgettable meals set amidst the backdrop of the unblemished countryside and feast on the heart of the French lifestyle at its absolute best.

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