Presiding over Spain's most famous wine region is the Consejo Regulador, an organisation whose job is to protect Rioja's quality and reputation. A noble undertaking. Unfortunately, like parking wardens, Ofsted inspectors and the Galactic Empire, regulatory bodies have a tendency to become rather enthusiastic about regulating things.

La Rioja is one of those destinations that makes you question several of Britain's fundamental life choices. The weather is generally better, lunch lasts longer, wine appears on the table without anyone suggesting you download an app, and people seem perfectly comfortable eating dinner at an hour when most Brits have already turned off the kitchen light and put the cat out.

It is one of wine history’s great ironies: Rioja owes a surprising amount of its modern identity to a tiny vine pest that nearly destroyed it.

Pimientos del piquillo rellenos, stuffed piquillo peppers, are a much-loved dish across northern Spain, with countless variations depending on the region and the cook. Our recipe is rich and comforting, filled with a savoury minced meat and served with a creamy tarragon béchamel.

Most people meet Rioja through red wine, the region's calling card. Tempranillo commonly leads the blend, bringing cherry, plum and raspberry flavours & also lends itself to oak aging creating distinctive & iconic stylistic changes. However there is much more to the region's offerings and this is your chance to discover them…