SPANISH WINE TASTING
We drove for a two and a half hour journey which took nearer four hours with stops and road works, from coastal Santander, along winding roads towards a hibking destination, Funede De paradot at the foot of the cable car which is at the end of the road.
About half an hour before the end you reach a good place to stop for coffee, Potes.
Bodega Picos, Potes, Picos de Europa
The Picos de Europa is the peaks in the north of Spain where we spent a week hiking. Potes is a preety, picturesque, busy little town of alleys with balconies across a river with arched bridges.
Two distilleries offer visits, one easily seen and located on the main road. Sierra del Oso.
Destileria Sierra Del Oso
Oso means bear in Spanish. The Cantabrian brown bear is endangered. Sierra comes from the word saw, and means a row of mountains with jagged peaks.
They are a family business, offering free tastings of their drinks. They sell wine, whisky and flavoured drinks, coffee flavour, raspberry yogurt and others.
https://turismodecantabria.com/proximamente-evento/visita-bodega-y-destileria-sierra-del-oso/
https://degalizano.es/es/brand/103-sierra-del-oso
https://turismodecantabria.com/proximamente-evento/visita-bodega-y-destileria-sierra-del-oso/
Picturesque Potes
We loved Potes, a little place geared up to please tourists, shoppers, photographers. Lively and exciting, crowded, busy. Full of souvenir shops and kiosks and restaurants overlooking the river spanned by medieval bridges. Visitor friendly with free parking in the centre! By the tourist board with maps.
Later that weak, when the weather forecast said we were less likely to have good weather for hiking, and the cable car would not be running because of gusty wind and descending misty clousd, we went off to our postponed winery cum distillery visit.
We drove uphill to the winery with the view after my husband had been in corresponsdence with them to arrange our group visit. Luckily they were not distressed by the fact that we postponed our visit by a day, although they said we must all arrive on time because the multi-lingual guide had another booked group visit immediately after ours.
Reivews of Bodega Picos are on Google.
Bodega Y Distileria Picos de Cabariezo
If you have a car, or taxi, you can drive out of the town to a hilltop winery. M hsuband booked a tour for more than fifteen of us with an English speaking guide.
She showed us the distillery, explained the process.
We ended up in the shop and tasting area with the chance to taste several tiny shots of assorted drinks in great flavours, even for those who aren't into alchocol.
The drinks were served with pate and cheese, alcoholic jams, and a taste of chocolate. What's not to like!
The well stocked shop had lots of drinks, food products and other items for opening bottles and serving drink.
They have guided tours and tastings every day inclduing Sundays and festivals. But do phone first to check.
The visit was on Wednesday June 19th 2024. Iused to try to leave off exact dates, thinking they were dull for the reader. However, they are useful to me when tracking down more photos. For readers, dates can tell you whether the information is relevant, and if circumstances and products and prices - even the weather, may have changed since the article was written.
Following the Ruta Del Vino (route of wine) we
Fefinanes in Rias Baixas
Useful Websites For Spain
From Spain we later drove to Portugal which I describe in a later post.
https://degalizano.es/es/10-dulces-tipicos
PORTUGAL & PORT IN OPORTO and the DOURO IVER
