Alquezar - a hidden gem in wine country

By now most people have heard of the Somontano wine region, with wineries such as Enate, Laus and Vinas del Vero spearheading a revolution of wonderful wines. The region is tucked into a corner of Aragon often overlooked, and due to the relative difficulty in getting there the region tends to attract mostly wine aficionados or mountain lovers (it is located less than an hour's drive from the Pyrenees).

However, the region is filled with historical and cultural treasures, and today I would like to focus on the ancient city of Alquezar. The town itself as we see it, picturesque and tucked away in between the hills and on an outcropping in the Rio Vero park, is a flashback. Walk its winding streets, much the same as they were 1000 years ago. Founded by the Arab rulers in the 9th century, Alquezar still maintains some archeological remains from that period. You can still see the castle where history tells us 2 sisters were martyred in 851 AD for refusing to renounce their faith. You can also see the Albarrana Tower (1064) and the church, rebuilt over the original Romanic church in the beginning of the 16th century.

Enjoy a drink in the square overlooking the valley, in a town that reminds us that Somontano has more than just wine!

Contact The Spanish Touch for more information regarding tours to the Somontano wine region and Alquezar.