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The King of Spain opened the "City of Wine"
Edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
On Tuesday, October 10th, His Majesty Juan Carlos de Borbón
of Spain presided over the elaborate opening ceremonies of Herederos del Marqués
de Riscal's "City of Wine,"designed by renowned architect Frank O. Gehry.
Wouldn't you like to visit his kingdom?
 The City of Wine is Marqués de Riscal's innovation for the new millennium - a
luxurious cultural wine destination on its main estate in Elciego, Rioja. It was
designed to offer visitors a uniquely interactive way to experience their wines
through a "feast of the senses." Deemed a "21st century château," its nexus is
the century-old wine cellar, the foundation of which was laid in 1858, and later
extended in 1883. $77 million dollars was invested in the 10 year project which
also focused on modernization of the winery facilities, including the building
of a new vinification area and an increase in vineyard holdings.
 Local officials welcomed the King of Spain at the Plaza del Reloj - where the
winery's cellars built in 1858, 1883, and 2006 meet. He was led through the
winery's original cellar-housed underneath the spectacular Marqués de Riscal
Hotel-to view the Royal Vintage of his father, Don Juan de Borbon, and the new
barrels reserved in his name. The renowned Cathedral of Wine-the historic dusky
cellar that holds about 180,000 wine bottles from the very first vintage
onwards-was the next stop, where the King personally chose and tasted a 1938
bottle from his year of birth.
After the ceremonial tasting, Frank Ghery and his team described the new
architectonic language used to develop the design, and the details of
construction to the King before visiting the futuristic Marqués de Riscal Hotel.
"I wanted to design something exciting, festive, because wine is pleasure,"
Frank said. The futuristic hotel-managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide-was built above the winery's original foundations. Mr. Gehry's
signature titanium waves on the roof reflect the colors found on a bottle of the
winery's signature wine - the Marqués de Riscal Reserva. The pink sheet
represents the red wine itself; gold represents the trademark wire netting that
covers the bottle; and silver represents the bottle's capsule.
 The forty-three suites-each different in design-start at $380 a night. The hotel
also houses a Caudalie Vinothérapie® Spa and a first class restaurant run by
Francis Paniego, one of Rioja's few Michelin-starred chefs who trained under
Férran Adrià, Spain's "uber-chef." "Riscal unites tradition and modernity, as
we do in our restaurant Echaurren, bringing them together as one. For me it is
an exciting, passion-inspiring challenge," stated Francis.
Fourteen hundred people were in attendance as winery officials presented the
King with a commemorative plaque and the "City of Wine" was officially
inaugurated. A private reception followed the inauguration at which the
exclusive new 2001 Frank Gehry Selection Wine-produced from 100% Tempranillo
vines over 40 years old-was unveiled and enjoyed with fare prepared by Chef
Francis Paniego. The wine, produced in commemoration of the opening, has an
allocation of only 5,000 bottles that will only be available in Spain.
About Marqués de Riscal
Vinos de los Herederos de Marqués de Riscal is renowned as the vanguard of
tradition and innovation in Spanish winemaking. Founded in 1858, it was the
first winery in Rioja that produced wine according to Bordeaux techniques, a
completely revolutionary concept at the time. In 1972, Marqués de Riscal was the
first winery to introduce Sauvignon Blanc in Rueda, which ultimately led to the
formation of the region as a DO. It was also the first winery to create a
"Super Rioja" wine: Barón de Chirel. Marqués de Riscal products can be found in
more than 70 countries and its wines have earned some of the most distinguished
international awards and acclaim as well as media recognition. Marqués de
Riscal is imported and distributed in the US by Shaw-Ross, Inc. of Miramar,
Florida.
Madelyn Miller is a food, wine and travel writer whose work appears on
www.travellady.com,
www.carladynews.com,
www.chocolateatlas.com,
www.cocktailatlas.com,
www.teaAtlas.com
MORE ABOUT SPAIN
GREAT GUIDEBOOKS
HELLO SPAIN!
A Hotel Guide to Madrid, Bacelona and 24 other cities $50 to $99 a night
By Margo Classe
Wilson Publishing
www.Helloeurope.com
Spain 2006 Fodor's
www.fodors.com
Rick Steve's
Europe through the Back Door 2003
www.Ricksteves.com
Rick Steve's Spain and Portugal 2003
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.ricksteves.com
Walking the Camino de Santiago
Bethan Davies and Ben Cole
www.pilipalapress.com
ANDALUSIA
FODOR'S
Savy reviews and stars clarify top picks
www.fodors.com
BARCELONA
FODOR'S
Get inside Barcelona
www.fodors.com
Diffordsguide to City Drinking #0.1
from the Publishers of the Magazine for Discerning Drinkers
It tells the Best Hotels, Restaurants and Bars in top cities
www.diffordsguide.com
MAJORCA
Knopf Mapguides Majorca
www.aaknopf.com
SPEAK LIKE A NATIVE
HIDE THIS SPANISH BOOK
Berlitz
The cover gives this warning: Highly inflammatory text inside, so not open near
Spanish teachers, not for classroom use. Inside, you will find the lingo on
sex-before, during and after, and fashion trends and styles.
www.berlitzbooks.com/hidethisbook.htm
HOW TO GET A TASTE OF SPAIN
Try Alejandro & Martin Artisanal Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Andalusia, Spain
http://www.AlejandroandMartin.com
for more information on olive oil tasting -
http://www.alejandroandmartin.com/flavor_profiles.html
and wonderful recipes -
http://www.alejandroandmartin.com/olive_oil_recipes.html
LISTEN TO THE SOUNDS OF SPAIN
Rumba Flamenco
The Passion of flamenco and Latin rhythms unite to create a sensual and soulful
musical fusion which originated in the Catalan region of northeastern Spain and
southwestern France.
www.putumayo.com
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