RPM Reporter: Tapas Fantasticas

When I arrived at this year's Rioja wine festival, Tapas Fantasticas, queues were already forming right around the corner of the site, and the ambience and vigour of Spain was truly in the air. The blazing sunshine, energetic Spanish music and wafts of rich tapas were a good pull for people strolling down the riverside, and inside the place was buzzing with slightly tipsy Spaniards, families and a host of wine enthusiasts all milling around or dancing to the beats of the bongos with wine glass in hand.

In total there were 33 restaurants exhibiting, and people were swarming around the stalls, dishing out dosh for some of the tastiest tapas I’ve had in years, including traditional dishes like gazpacho, freshly cured meats, seafood and paella. In total there were over 25,000 samples handed out, and Saturday had 8,000 visitors: the highest day attendance in the history of the festival.

While the adults were busy swapping their tokens for samples of rosé, red and white Rioja wine, the children’s area was full of children busily adding to a giant grapevine, so all parties were kept very well occupied.

I spoke to a few visitors who gave the following feedback:

"This has been such an amazing day! We've eaten a load of delicious tapas and drunk bucketfuls of Rioja wine. Doesn't feel like England!"

“What could be better on a day like this than wine and tapas! It’s been lovely”