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Briñas
Spain
Why we can’t wait to visit again: Most people
stay in nearby Haro. Not us. Every year Haro hosts a “wine battle”
(Batalla de Vino), during which bottles of red in their thousands
are chucked and sprayed all over the place – a thoroughly Spanish answer to champagne showers. Yes, it
might look like a quaint, by-the-book Spanish town thanks to its
protection as a site of cultural heritage, but there’s mischief to be
had in the rowdy tapas bars which spill out onto Haro’s tiled
streets. It’s a great place to spend the day, but we’ll bed down in
Briñas, if only to play the contrarian. This village is as
dastardly kitsch as they come – signposted by a dusty spire, licked
by a gently tumbling river and wrapped in vineyards.
Where we’re staying: Hospedería Señorío de Briñas
Before you go: Get into the swing of things
with a virtual tasting courtesy of Dalston’s Newcomer
Wines.