Drinking Like a Spaniard

November 29, 2022

I

toured an underground bodega in the city of Aranda de Duero last night with Luis, David and Miguel. The medieval city center (casco viejo) in Aranda has about 20 kilometers of underground caves that were built between the 12th and 18th centuries for storing wine. Today, the wine cellars are preserved by social clubs called peñas whose members use the caves for celebrations and fiestas. The depth of 8-12 meters creates ideal conditions for storing wine.

My tour included a quick lesson in using a porrón to drink wine. The experience lends a whole new meaning to the phrase “bottoms up.” It takes a little practice to drink up without spilling wine all over your chest.

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