Wine Information

Need advice on wine tasting in La Rioja - need a place to rent, tips for getting around, where to go..?

Can anyone help, ideally someone who has been there.. I want to go wine tasting with my partner in Rioja, say in about 4-6 months time, I'm not sure where you can stay - I don't want to stay in a hotel, a private villa would be ideal and I don't want to spend anymore than say £500 for a weeks rent, even 10 days would be great, in that case then £650?? Can anyone reccomend where to stay in Rioja, companies that have villas for rent in and around Rioja, how to get around - I assume I'd need to rent a car, in that case which airport would I need to fly to (from London) - and when is the best time to go and what vineyards/bodegas to visit?... Also - anyone know how much wine I can bring back before I get charged customs, and btw how much is customs?.. I think you can bring 4 bottles each - would I inculde these in hand luggage for the flight?... Anyway - I'm sure someone out there can help.... Thanks! Ok so I'll fly to Saragossa, and then rent a car at the airport. How can I take back wine then?? I'll look for a Casa Rural then to stay in then, but where would be the place to stay and the best bodegas to visit??

Public Comments

1. From London, you can flight with Ryan Air to Saragossa, and then rent a car at the airport. You can't include liquids in your hand lugage. If you don't want to stay in a hotel, try the "Casa Rural", that are small villas or farms where you can stay and they are cheaper and more beutiful than a hotel.
2. http://www.spanishaffair.com/ i have used this company for villa rentals & it is fine... variable pricing & very nice places for reasonable prices... yes, a car is mandatory. you can visit any time of year, but greenest scenery of course is from spring to fall/crush season. also, stop in small out of the way taverns for local wines....some wines are unnamed yet the best you will ever find...& they come w/ complimentary local tapas!!!!!!