Now here's something to raise a glass to: a two-day celebration of Rioja wines in east London on July 19-20, featuring chef demos, street food and incredible wine. Let's delve into it a bit more, shall we?
What's with the name, ‘100 Years of Rioja'?
If you're someone who loves wine – particularly red wine – then it's likely you'll recognise Rioja. Spain's leading wine region has been producing wine for many centuries, but it was 100 years ago that Rioja was officially recognised with Denominación de Origen (DO) status. That's the quality stamp that helped put Rioja on the global wine map. Thus, ‘100 Years of Rioja': a two-day festival that showcases the diversity and quality of Rioja wines.
Nice! So this is the festival's debut year?
Exactly! We love a new festival – and this one promises to bring impeccable summer vibes. Located at the vibey Hackney Bridge, 100 Years of Rioja offers an immersive journey through a century of Rioja's evolving wines, traditions, and global influence. Expect wine tasting sessions, live music performances, expert masterclasses and more.
Experts, you say?
TV wine icon Olly Smith will be hosting a lively tasting called ‘Rioja Through the Ages', delving into Rioja's rich history. Not only that, but top Spanish chefs José Pizarro and Omar Allibhoy will be hosting live cooking demos, bringing the bold flavours of Rioja to life.
And what if the live cooking demos make me hungry?
You're in luck! There'll be plenty of pintxo-style street food to try, from sizzling Spanish paella and jamón to globally inspired bites. Each dish comes with a suggested Rioja wine pairing – cheers to that! You'll also be able to explore 50 different wines available to buy by the glass, bottle, or as 50ml samples. We're talking everything from fruit-forward reds, barrel-aged classics, elegant whites and refreshing rosés.
I'm in! How do I get tickets?
Click below to buy your ticket. And here's the best part: admission is just £10 (+ booking fee) and includes tokens worth the same amount, redeemable against 50ml Rioja wine samples. Premium tickets get you access to the masterclasses, so check out the ticket page for full details.
