Basque Country

Frank Gehry's Marques de Riscal

Everyone even barely acquainted with me knows by now that I am thrilled with the new PBS TV series SPAIN...ON THE ROAD AGAIN. This is my kind of reality TV. Free of the drama, emotional outbursts and boring interpersonal manipulations it is a free and easy jaunt lovingly taking you to places you have never been and a celebration of life. It is the epitome of everything I have always hoped this blog would be: the love of good food, the allure of the journey to new lands, informative and interesting, with a few laughs along the way.

This week's episode took us to the basque country of Spain, the wine region, and the spectacular architecture of Frank Gehry, topped with his trademark billowing sheets of multicolored titanium. Personalities aside, everyone on the show was in wonder of how this crazy design fit so perfectly into the beautiful countryside. The luxurious hotel is not just the destination of movie stars, however. It is also the home of one of Spain's oldest functional wineries. We got to see the harvest, the processing and even tour the wine cellars. We had breakfast of an egg cooked perfectly to 65 degrees Celsius and tasted a special 1958 vintage. We even got to meet the architect of this fantastic structure.


Marques de Riscal Wine

Marqués de Riscal, founded in 1860, is one of the oldest wineries in Rioja and one of the first to introduce French wine making techniques.


Hotel Marques de Riscal

What's even more incredible is that the producers and itunes have agreed to provide one lucky reader of TBF the full series for download on itunes. Now you can be taken away any time you want. Just send an email or post a comment on Mario Batali or the series and you will be entered to win. The deadline has been changed to November 15, 2008 with the winner announced December 1, 2009. Good luck and happy eating and traveling!


Up close video of the Hotel Marques de Riscal